And here it is, guys! Thanks to your lovely comments, kudos and messages/emails, here is chapter 2! I'm so grateful to you all for reading and for the wonderful feedback! It warms my heart that everyone wants to see more of this story.
This chapter is longer than the first one, but the next ones will be shorter. I was still experimenting with flow and dynamics, and because this is still introductory to the story and the characters' views, it stretched out longer than I had predicted.
After ten years of writing "From Which We'll Rise" and being used to Naruto's and Sasuke's relationship as adults, it has been quite an experience to reconnect with them as teenagers.
They give me a hard time.
Anyway, I hope you guys like this monster. Again, this was written in a feverish haze of inspiration and editing was hell, so please be patient.
I will be replying to comments during the next few days.
On with the show!
Where Fire Burns
Chapter Two: Hands
Sasuke wasn't an expert in matters of love or sex, and these weren't subjects he was particularly interested in.
He wasn't naive or uninformed, but he hadn't spent most of his adolescence the way normal teenagers did. Whatever awakenings, curiosities, or possible urges he might have felt were pushed aside, never a priority over his goals and revenge.
Because he was interested in anatomy—to understand the human body, its capabilities, limitations, and how to keep it healthy and strong—he'd come across books (both in Konoha during his studies and in Orochimaru's lairs) containing important information about sex and sexuality. Sasuke had always approached these topics critically, absorbing the knowledge easily and without overcomplicating it.
Combining common sense with knowledge, he considered himself relatively in tune with how things worked. Nevertheless, perhaps life had desensitized him to things that seemed exciting and overwhelming to other young men his age.
His popularity had always brought him unwanted attention, with girls clinging to him and invading his personal—and even physical—space without considering his feelings or discomfort.
Because his upbringing had taught him not to be rude to girls, most of the time, he endured the hugs, the pulls, and the linking of arms while trying not to give them mixed signals.
It got worse when he turned fifteen and his body matured.
Sasuke had been Orochimaru's favorite student. The man had been a formidable mentor, but his plan had always been to possess Sasuke's body as soon as his revenge was complete so he made sure Sasuke reached his standards, physically-wise
Sasuke knew the outfits made for him were meant to further turn him into an eye-pleaser, and he hadn't particularly cared because it gave him the upper hand.
Traveling from lair to lair and meeting and living with so many of his teacher's underlings had been quite an experience. Not everyone liked him, and he was fine with that. No one was indifferent to him either.
Those people were not like the people in Konoha. They were rougher around the edges—boisterous, violent, greedy, and lacking morals—so the type of attention was completely different. He quickly understood that people often disregarded respect when their desires came into play.
Sasuke had grown tired of everyone looking at him differently—whether for his looks, his bloodline, or his strength—and of people getting in his personal space. It was disgusting and vain.
Regardless, being attractive had its perks, and he knew he had heaps of presence to match.
People enjoyed shiny things and displays of power. One way or another, Sasuke provided that effortlessly, often without needing to lift a finger and he had easy results.
He didn't care if people looked at him with fear, disgust, anger, or lust. Whether someone wanted to kill him or fuck him made no difference to him, and it did nothing to affect his self-confidence or how he saw himself.
When it came to love, heartfelt confessions were also not new to him. In all honesty, though, while Sasuke could understand physical admiration, he always had a hard time comprehending the girls who claimed to love him.
To Sasuke, 'love' had a very different meaning. It wasn't something he could romanticize or idealize. Love had many faces, some of them ugly and painful—faces most people ran away from and refused to acknowledge.
The love from his parents, his brother, and Naruto… anyone trying to match that with empty words of devotion would have a hard time measuring up in his book.
While Sasuke could admit to being an emotionally complicated person, volatile and intense, his thought pattern was often a straight line. He'd been through enough not to feel self-conscious about his emotions or the opinions he needed to express, so if something didn't bode well with him, he'd make sure to let people know, especially when he was angry.
And he'd been angry and grieving for a long time.
Sasuke had been quite comfortable with the prospect of death for far too long. He never thought he'd survive his fight against Itachi, and many times, he wished he hadn't. Knowing the truth about his brother's story, their clan, and Itachi's love for him only perpetuated his suffering to excruciating levels.
Because through all his hatred, confusion, and sadness, he still loved Itachi.
Now, his brother was dead, and there was nothing he could do about it anymore.
Back then, he didn't know how to deal with his emotions or the things he thought he understood. 'Love' felt like a stupid and foreign concept that forced people to do unthinkable things and make unreasonable choices. What was even the point of loving or being loved if it brought nothing but pain? The emptiness was just as unbearable.
So he'd replaced sadness with wrath and an ever-growing thirst for revenge.
The world had seemed like such a cruel and disgusting place. Everything felt wrong and twisted, and he wanted nothing more than to erase it all—to put an end to his guilt and the constant anger in his heart.
Everything was so chaotically noisy inside of him that he didn't know what else to do but try to make it stop.
Living with himself was not easy.
The war unveiled hidden secrets and truths and brought Itachi back for a moment. Sasuke was grateful for the chance to learn more about the Uchiha and Konoha's past. He was even more grateful for being able to see Itachi and to experience firsthand his tale and his feelings—not only towards him but also towards the Shinobi world.
And yet, all these revelations only brought Sasuke more anguish.
Even as he pushed forward through all these events, he doubted anyone would ever understand the agony he endured with a straight face.
Still, he helped in the war because Itachi would've wanted him to, and for a short period, it kept him busy—he didn't need to think about anything while in battle.
Also, he had wanted the thrill of fighting alongside Naruto once more.
His former teammate had the miraculous ability to make him feel like nothing could go wrong, and while they faced their enemies, fighting together as one, bantering and protecting each other, Sasuke felt light and like himself in ways he hadn't in years.
Sasuke realized Naruto had endured his own hell, carrying the weight of destruction while being someone who naturally brought light and hope to others. Naruto never gave up, and it reminded Sasuke why he was so inspiring and effortlessly drew people in.
It made Sasuke feel very proud of him, and yet, the brighter Naruto shone, the more he resisted keeping his own alive.
Everything Sasuke had decided to do, the stupid things he said to stand up against Naruto were random banter because he didn't know which way to go or what to do anymore.
He had felt a great responsibility for his actions and Itachi's faith in him. Sasuke had destroyed every bond he once had and felt he had no purpose left. Becoming Hokage or bearing the world's hatred had felt like a necessary penance for his mistakes, and yet, this wasn't something he wanted to do.
Somewhere along the line, he had subconsciously started to believe that it was his fate to be a martyr, and Naruto's efforts to call him back to reality, to reach out and pull him out of that suffocating darkness made him feel weary.
He was tired.
Even if he knew his friend's feelings were honest—even if he knew Naruto was shockingly lonely without him to the point of despair—Sasuke didn't need any more emotional turmoil. He didn't need to question himself or be tormented by what was right or wrong anymore.
He just wanted silence and oblivion. He didn't want to feel love, hatred, or despair. He didn't even want to feel hope.
But Naruto forced him to face it all.
As violent and relentless as his and Naruto's battle had been, there was no other way for them to honor their relationship and acknowledge each other.
And while Sasuke had fought with all he had, something in him had been ready and willing to perish in the outcome. Because there was still selfishness within him, and he didn't want to endure hell anymore.
Even if Sasuke had babbled on about what he'd do after Naruto died, he knew well that it would only be a matter of time before he, too, succumbed due to his madness and grief.
Sasuke knew himself a lot better than people gave him credit for. At the end of the day, he knew what he was doing and was simply someone strongly guided by his heart.
Well, neither had died and Naruto had saved him and pulled him in, forcing his feelings—his need—onto him and injecting him with a surge of faith Sasuke had long since lost.
Sasuke had genuinely been too tired to keep fighting against it, not to mention that Naruto's genuine determination to have him in his life and prove to him that he had a future to look forward to made him emotional with gratitude and happiness.
He'd been unhinged for so long that he was still trying to find himself in this new state of complete stillness that was his mind—that odd peacefulness beaten into his very being by his best friend.
So it was no wonder that, at seventeen, Sasuke already had a strong sense of what 'love' should be.
Sasuke had known for quite a while that Naruto had strong feelings for him. They'd confirmed the depth of their bond during their first fight, and with their subsequent encounters, he had been able to sense the way those same feelings grew and shifted into something increasingly more complex. It had amazed him that this happened despite Sasuke's actions and the distance between them.
But they had always progressed together, always with each other in mind.
Sasuke never rejected his feelings for his best friend, or how important he was to him. After all, it was the awareness of this perceived weakness that made him try to cut ties, but he hadn't exactly mulled over the nature of them, either, because he could not let Naruto get in the way of his goals, even if longing struck him at times.
Sasuke never labeled their bond as romantic, but it was far more intense than mere friendship. Still, he had never been expecting to receive a love confession from Naruto—he didn't want to, either.
However, because they both knew it wasn't just friendship, it had irked him beyond belief that Naruto didn't have other words to speak his mind. One doesn't simply decide to die with his 'friend' or be at peace with the fact that life doesn't make sense unless that 'friend' is in it.
Romance had never been on Sasuke's mind. He'd always found couples' dynamics strange and cringeworthy and doubted he could ever be a good partner to anyone.
The depth of their feelings had been laid bare in their final fight—a truth both acknowledged but couldn't escape, no matter how overwhelming it had been.
However, he wasn't concerned, and he wouldn't waste time with mental blockages like thinking about his sexual orientation or the many obvious what-ifs they could face.
Out of all the things he needed to mend and fix within himself, that was the least of his concerns, and as long as Naruto kept sharing the sentiment, that was all he needed.
Or at least that's what he'd believed.
Because Naruto had always been a singular presence in Sasuke's life, and his need for Sasuke—just as he was—forced him to confront the possibility that he wasn't as undeserving as he believed.
Their bond didn't fit any category Sasuke knew, but it didn't need to. It simply was—an undeniable truth that grounded and overwhelmed him all at once. For now, he wouldn't overcomplicate it. He couldn't afford to.
He was alive, he wasn't alone, and for once, he'd honor that blessing—not just for Naruto or Itachi, but for himself.
All he could do was choose to believe that peace of mind and joy existed on the horizon, no matter how long it took to reach.
000
Naruto had been a little all over the place after their conversation, not entirely sure what to do with himself. They had been mostly silent for the rest of the day, testing the mood and ambiance between them only to realize that silence was a painless experience between them, not at all uncomfortable despite the elephant in the room.
However, the next day, Naruto woke up in surprisingly good spirits, all traces of embarrassment or hesitation gone, and he had decided to take matters into his own hands and break the ice by forcing Sasuke to put up with him.
Because the Uchiha had nothing better to do, he went with it.
So they spent the day simply talking, or rather, Naruto babbled endlessly about the years they'd spent apart, telling Sasuke about his training with the late Jiraiya, the battles he fought, the people he met, and all the things he achieved. Sasuke had listened intently, though he wasn't as openly impressed as Naruto might have hoped—mostly because he could already tell just how far Naruto had come, and some things he had already been aware of.
It hadn't all been good. Naruto had endured loss, destruction, and cruelty, even before the war, and it pained Sasuke to know that.
But Sasuke had always seen his potential. After all, he had envied that strength more than once.
He knew Naruto wanted to know about his years away too, but the fact remained that Sasuke's path wasn't a pretty one. There were things Sasuke chose to share—small details of his training with Orochimaru, his brief time with Akatsuki, and his time with Taka—but he avoided anything too personal. Naruto had been curious about his former team, but Sasuke had little to say about them, especially with the ever-present awareness of being watched. Every word he spoke could be used against him.
Because he could feel them.
Sasuke couldn't see the several ANBU operatives, but the faint flickers of their chakra signatures brushed against his heightened senses. Their presence wasn't oppressive, at least not yet, but it was a constant reminder that he needed to be careful and that he was being watched.
He wondered if Naruto had sensed them too and decided to ignore it. Naruto was powerful and perceptive now—Sasuke trusted that he had.
In a way, knowing he was being watched gave him an excuse to avoid talking about Konoha, himself, or even Itachi. He wasn't ready to dive into those topics, and thankfully, Naruto was sensitive enough not to push. Sasuke knew, though, that at some point, they'd have to bring these things to the surface, but perhaps it would take longer than they both expected.
Regardless, it had been a good day, during which they had managed to lighten up and regain balance over their interactions, even if Naruto's occasional sideway glances exposed a silent longing he wouldn't voice.
Naruto had watched him sleep while he napped (even though he hadn't made the blond aware of the fact) and was also incredibly twitchy in moments when they occasionally touched or bumped into each other. Sasuke wanted to tease him for all of this, but he held himself back.
Sakura's visit kept them busy for a while. She would always check up on them, but right now she was merely a trainee assisting in dire times, so at least once a day an older and more experienced doctor would come in to see how they were recovering.
Helping Naruto eat during meals was always a moment of amusement and frustration, and yet, it had become routine for them to sit on either of their beds, eat, and bicker.
Sasuke had felt drained at the end of the day, but his mind had been wonderfully empty while his heart had been full.
He couldn't remember the last time such a thing had happened to him.
On the third day since Sasuke had gotten out of bed, he felt strong enough to stand by the window of the hospital room for several minutes, his eyes drifting over the shambled streets below. In broad daylight, he could see how much had changed since he'd left. It was a little heartbreaking to see the alleys and houses in such poor condition, with signs of loss and destruction evident no matter where he looked.
Politically and personally, he had his complicated thoughts about the village, but this place had still been home—to him and his clan. Fragmented as some of his memories were, he'd had moments of happiness here, first with his family and later with Team 7.
Scaffolding framed broken rooftops, and teams of workers moved like ants, tirelessly patching the scars left by Pein's attack—another story Naruto had recounted to him the day before.
Outside felt like such a different reality than the one was quickly growing accustomed to inside the hospital.
The sound of the door creaking open pulled Sasuke from his thoughts. He turned slightly to see Naruto returning from a trip to the bathroom, his face bright and cheerful, as though the weight of the world hadn't been resting on his shoulders just days ago.
"Sasuke!" Naruto grinned, holding up a small set of keys like a trophy. "Guess what? The nurse lent me the access keys to the rooftop and said we could go up there for some fresh air. I don't know about you, but I could use some vitamin D."
Sasuke raised an eyebrow. "Wow. I'm impressed you even know what that is," he said sarcastically. "You've come a long way."
As expected, Naruto's grin disappeared in an instant, replaced by exaggerated outrage. "What's that supposed to mean, huh?! I'm smarter than you think, asshole!"
"Says one brain cell to another," Sasuke quipped back.
"What?! You damned cocky-assed bastard, how dare you?!"
Sasuke scoffed as Naruto shook his fist in mock fury, throwing a string of absurd insults his way.
Internally, he had to stop himself from smiling—it would've ruined the point of getting on Naruto's nerves, which had always been one of his favorite pastimes. It was strangely reassuring to see that hadn't changed.
Everything felt easier when Sasuke realized that some things between them hadn't shifted. He hadn't felt this carefree in a long time, and after being so serious for so long, he had almost forgotten how to relax and just behave his age.
It still astounded him how easily Naruto brought that out of him.
"Quit your yapping; you're giving me a headache," Sasuke cut in, waving his hand in mock exasperation.
"Yeah, enjoy the perks of being an asshole!" Naruto shot back immediately.
Sasuke raised an eyebrow, surprised at the witty comeback. "I admit, that's a good one," he conceded, finally smirking. "I have no response to that."
Naruto's bruised face lit up with a cocky smile of triumph. For the self-proclaimed number-one unpredictable ninja, he was ridiculously easy to read.
"Suck it up, Uchiha," Naruto declared energetically, sticking out his tongue. Sasuke rolled his eyes but couldn't hide the faint amusement in his expression.
Naruto seemed to be recovering faster than he was, which was to be expected. He was already moving about with relative ease, while Sasuke's body continued to remind him of its limitations every time he shifted too quickly.
Still, the idea of leaving the confines of the hospital room, even briefly, appealed to him. He didn't know how many more chances he'd have to see daylight in the foreseeable future.
"Well, lead the way," he instructed, leaning away from the window and walking up to Naruto, secretly amused at how genuinely excited the other seemed over such a small thing.
000
The trip to the rooftop might have been quiet if Naruto hadn't felt the need to greet every person they passed—and every person seemed to already know him. Sasuke ignored the curious looks some threw his way.
Their room was apparently on the last floor, and Naruto led them with confidence, but as they moved through the hospital's sterile halls, Sasuke felt a sharp twinge of pain poke his ribs. He kept his expression impassive, but his fist clenched tightly at his side, and his pace slowed just enough for Naruto to notice. Without hesitation, Naruto reached for Sasuke's wrist to stop him in his tracks.
At Sasuke's inquisitive look, Naruto all but threw Sasuke's arm over his shoulders so he could support himself, then wrapped his own arm securely around his waist.
"If you need help, you should just say so," he mumbled with a concerned frown. "I got you. No need to try being tough when you're useless right now."
Naruto's voice was soft—affectionate—and even if Sasuke wanted to protest out of frustration, he swallowed his words.
Though, perhaps, it was also because their faces were suddenly so close. Naruto's impossibly blue eyes were so unguardedly expressive that Sasuke wondered if he even knew how painfully transparent he was.
Despite himself, the dark-haired teen turned his face away and limited his response to a curt grunt. Not that Sasuke cared about others' opinions, but their closeness already felt too intimate for anyone else's eyes, and they were in the middle of the hallway.
Together, they made the rest of the way to their destination. It took longer than Sasuke anticipated, and by the time they ascended the stairs leading to the rooftop, he knew he would have been struggling if he'd had to do it alone.
As soon as they stepped outside, the breeze ruffled his hair, carrying with it the faint scent of dust and greenery.
The rooftop basked in the golden morning sun; its flat surface warmed by the light spilling over the village. A chain-link fence bordered the space, glinting softly, while a small utility shed cast a faint shadow on the concrete. The fresh, crisp air carried the distant hum of life below, making the rooftop feel like a quiet, secluded perch.
He motioned for Naruto to ease his hold on him because he was already sweating from the exertion and the heat of the other's body, so he urgently needed to cool down.
Thankfully, Naruto got the hint and carefully released him, taking the chance to stretch and inhale deeply.
"Aw, man, this feels good!"
Sasuke straightened himself slowly, his dark eyes drifting over to Naruto, whose chest was rising and falling as he breathed in the fresh air. His bandaged, severed arm reminded him of things he'd rather forget, and yet, it was impossible to not notice that Naruto seemed almost radiant. The sunlight caught in his messy hair, turning it into a halo of soft gold, and his grin was huge, pure satisfaction marking his features.
Sasuke's gaze lingered for a moment longer than he intended, torn between affection and guilt. Despite everything he had gone through, Naruto still looked so alive.
Sasuke brought a hand to his ribs, inhaling slowly. Even though it hurt, the gentle wind on his bruised, warm cheeks brought contentment and relief.
Slowly he made his way to the fence so he could look down again.
From there, it was possible to see the whole of Konoha in its mixture of glory and devastation. Sasuke didn't remember it being this big, perhaps because he had known every corner and every street so well back then. Now, it stirred something inside him—both nostalgia and ghosts of memories he wasn't sure whether to reject or embrace.
Cautious steps approached him, and when he looked to the side, he found Naruto next to him, gauging him. "What?" Sasuke asked, more sharply than he intended.
"If you're in pain, I can help," Naruto said without missing a beat. "I mean, I think I can. Kurama says so. Did I mention he woke up this morning? Anyway, he told me he can heal us faster now!"
Sasuke frowned slightly, processing the information. "Kurama?"
"The Kyuubi," Naruto reminded him, rubbing the back of his head with a sheepish pout.
Ah, yes. Naruto and the fox had become unlikely allies. Naruto had mentioned the previous night that he was worried the beast had gone dormant, though he could still feel its chakra.
Regardless, Sasuke wasn't entirely sure the prospect of accelerated healing was a good thing.
"I'm fine, Naruto. I'm just tired," Sasuke dismissed, falling back on his habit of stubbornly refusing to show weakness. He was already frustrated by how much he had let slip, and he didn't want to burden Naruto further.
"Stop being an ass. I can feel it, remember?" Naruto pressed, poking his shoulder. The movement made Sasuke tense instinctively. "Don't be so stubborn. You'll just make me anxious if you're hurting and won't let me do anything about it. Just trust me, okay? I'm not going to try anything weird."
The way Naruto worded it left Sasuke little room to refuse without making it seem personal.
He'd hurt Naruto so many times—hell, their missing limbs were proof enough of that. The least Sasuke could do was accept his help and be a little kinder and more mindful of the person who had paid such a high price for him.
Taking a sharp breath, Sasuke nodded reluctantly. "Alright, fine," he accepted.
It was worth it to see Naruto's face light up. He reached out instinctively but stopped himself just as quickly, his hand hovering with uncertainly. "Uh, can I… touch you?" Naruto asked hesitantly.
At this, Sasuke could only eye him in faint disbelief.
They had always been physical in a way that felt intimately natural—always in each other's personal space, though never inappropriately so unless they counted their last fight—which made Naruto's question seem more than a little strange.
Still, Sasuke realized that Naruto's hesitation was due to that incident with the kiss.
Sasuke had expected some kind of progress in their relationship eventually, but he truly hadn't anticipated how it would unfold and Naruto kissing him in his sleep hadn't been on his list—especially not with Naruto's insistence that they were just friends.
Still, while he'd been surprised, it wasn't the affection or the kiss itself that had upset him. What irritated Sasuke was the irony of it all.
Friends. It still pissed Sasuke off.
Right now, Sasuke didn't feel anxious about whatever it was that was happening between them, but he also knew they needed to thread carefully before they had the chance to heal what was broken.
Even so, Naruto should know better than to think Sasuke had proximity issues—at least when it came to him. But given the unbalanced and unclear nature of their dynamic now—as well as the remarks he'd made about consent and boundaries—Sasuke supposed it was justifiable.
Guilt washed over him. He had only meant to push a few buttons, not accuse Naruto of anything.
He needed to be more mindful of what came out of his mouth. But he was a work in progress, too.
"Don't ask stupid questions," he snapped, then immediately regretted it. He groaned audibly, annoyed at himself, clenching his teeth. "Damn it."
Naruto was staring at him, torn between uncertainty and curiosity, his eyes so blue under the sun they seemed electric—so powerful they momentarily sucked Sasuke's attention in.
Blinking, Sasuke eventually wet his lips and tried again, softer this time. "What I mean is, you don't need to ask," he clarified, his tone milder now. "It was never an issue between us, so don't make it weird now, Naruto."
If Sasuke had handed Naruto a bag of gold or a year's supply of ramen, he doubted it would've brought the same delighted gleam to his eyes. Naruto practically radiated joy, his energy bubbling over in the purest, most unfiltered way.
"Right, I won't," he promised, even if he sounded a little unsure.
He hesitated slightly before stepping into Sasuke's space, and his fingers twitched before he finally pressed his hand gently against Sasuke's ribcage over his white sweatshirt.
Naruto's palm was warm, emitting a faint golden glow as his chakra flowed steadily into Sasuke. Soothing heat seeped beneath Sasuke's skin, into his muscles and bones, dulling the ache and easing the tension. Despite himself, Sasuke let out a small hum of relief.
Naruto's focus was entirely on his hand, his expression intense as he frowned.
Sasuke, however, kept his eyes trained on Naruto's slightly bent head. He noted, absently, how the idiot was still slightly shorter than him, even if it was barely noticeable.
Neither of them spoke for a while. Naruto's chakra was steady and strong, pulsing with a rhythm that felt oddly intimate and unavoidably connected them in that familiar way that could not be matched, so Sasuke could sense his friend's emotions and thoughts as if an unspoken dialogue resonated between them.
The connection sent a small shiver down Sasuke's spine, and though his heartbeat quickened, he maintained his composure, yet the faint flush creeping up Naruto's ears, betrayed his awareness of the effect this closeness had on both of them.
"Shut up, you old fox…" Naruto mumbled suddenly under his breath, probably addressing his demon.
Sasuke refrained from commenting, though he couldn't help but wonder if Kurama was privy to every thought and feeling Naruto had. The idea was… odd.
When Naruto's fingertips shifted slightly, brushing against his side in an almost accidental caress, Sasuke nearly started but managed to stay still.
"Better?" Naruto asked softly, his gaze stubbornly avoiding Sasuke's.
"Yes," Sasuke replied, his voice steady despite the pulse hammering in his ears.
"I think I'm accelerating your healing process, but I'm not sure how much it'll help long-term."
"That's fine."
Naruto's hand lingered, just a moment too long, and the proximity heightened his awareness of everything Naruto emanated—warmth, affection, relief, and outstanding admiration. Sasuke's chest tightened against his will, and the automatic reaction annoyed him.
If Naruto was so transparent to him, he had to wonder what the other could read about him in return.
Naruto cleared his throat. "You sure I'm not frying your insides or anything?" he asked with a faint grin, clearly trying to lighten the moment.
"No, idiot, you didn't fry me," Sasuke retorted. His tone was dry but uncharacteristically uneven, and Naruto caught on because he finally looked up to meet his eyes, and something about his gaze just then threw Sasuke off balance.
Naruto's grin faltered briefly, replaced by an expression Sasuke could only describe as yearning. The quiet intensity of it stirred something unfamiliar within Sasuke, a heat settling deep in his chest, and he understood that whatever this sensation was, he wasn't the only one feeling it.
It was oddly reassuring, yet intimidating.
The silence between them stretched until Naruto finally looked away again, his face red, and Sasuke exhaled softly, unsure of what to feel or do about the tension.
Somehow, it felt easier when they were yelling at each other and starting fights.
"You know," Naruto began, his voice hoarse as he swallowed hard, trying to show composure. "I don't mind relying on you, so it'd be nice if you could rely on me, too. We're both in a complicated situation… even more so without our arms."
"Yes, I know," Sasuke admitted, slowly. "But it's hard when I think you've already done enough for me."
Naruto let out a snort, though it lacked humor. "You don't owe me anything, Sasuke. You never did." He suddenly stopped the flow of chakra, which was both relieving and disappointing, and looked at Sasuke again, and this time, his gaze was firm. "But if you're determined to think that way, then fine. I'll let you pay me back someday."
It was jarring how Sasuke's heart could skip a beat despite how quickly it was beating already, and he found that he couldn't look away from Naruto's blue eyes even if he wanted to, because the strong determination there froze him unexpectedly.
It wasn't exactly the first time during their relationship that Sasuke had felt thrilled by certain demeanors from Naruto, and yet, this felt different somehow.
Naruto's fingers scraped lightly at the fabric of Sasuke's sweatshirt before curling into a fist, clutching it as if anchoring himself.
"And how am I supposed to do that?" Sasuke muttered, his voice calm even though it was becoming increasingly harder to breathe.
"I'll think of something when the time comes," Naruto replied, his voice quieter, a teasing grin tugging at his lips. It was both sincere and unusually—and surprisingly—seductive. It made Sasuke's head spin lightly in bewilderment, and he wasn't sure if he liked it or if the unsolicited reactions of his body annoyed him.
Their eyes remained locked as the tension between them thickened, both familiar and strange. Sasuke couldn't fully grasp what this was—this shift in their dynamic that had always been present but now felt undeniably different. It reminded him of moments when others had flirted with him, but this wasn't the same. It wasn't just teasing; it was something deeper, darker, and unspoken, simmering beneath the surface.
Sasuke's blood burned with a slow, steady heat that felt alien yet compelling. He wasn't sure he remembered the last time he felt anything like this—light, pure, and disarming—if at all.
However unexpected, it made sense.
Reflectively, Sasuke's hand moved, settling over Naruto's chest. Beneath his fingertips, Naruto's heartbeat pounded wildly, seemingly at the same time as Sasuke's, and yet, the taller one knew it wasn't possible.
Naruto jolted slightly as blue eyes widened. His blush spread rapidly up his neck and across his cheeks, battered as his face was, Sasuke still felt enraptured by how attractive it all was.
Naruto opened his mouth as if to speak but said nothing, instead biting on his lower lip.
Why or when had his companion started to look so appealing to him?
"You're nervous," Sasuke observed quietly, his voice betraying none of the storm inside him. His fingers pressed more firmly, feeling the erratic drumming beneath his palm.
Naruto blinked rapidly and shook his head. "I'm not nervous, I just…"
"You don't have to say anything," Sasuke cut in, and Naruto fell silent, though his eyes remained glued to his, emotions painfully clear.
The chaos swirling in those depths of sky expressed the same storm in Sasuke's very soul, and it drew him in further. The air between them grew heavier as Naruto's hand released his sweater and slid deliberately up Sasuke's side to mirror his gesture so it was resting firmly against the Uchiha's chest.
"Your heart's racing too," Naruto whispered, and while he had tried to be teasing, his voice had failed him.
"I suppose it is," Sasuke admitted, his throat tightening slightly. Naruto's gaze raked across his features, as though he was trying to take in every detail of Sasuke's face, to confirm thoughts that should have been clear from the tension between them.
Releasing a small, shaky breath, Naruto allowed his thumb to brush the fabric of Sasuke's sweatshirt in a small caress, and his voice dropped. "Do you think… Should this feel stranger than it does?"
Sasuke tilted his head, considering it. "I think the answer's in the question you just asked," he grumbled because there was no exact answer to that when everything was so fragile yet already consolidated between them. "Does it matter?"
After a moment, Naruto all but shook his head. "It doesn't," he confirmed with a small shrug. He paused before boldly pressing himself closer now, their chests pressed together. Then, his hand dragged upward, fingers brushing against Sasuke's collarbone in a way that made him inhale sharply. "It doesn't matter at all."
The air seemed to thrum as Naruto's hand moved again, tracing upward until his knuckles brushed Sasuke's cheek in a feathered-like touch. Naruto's gaze dipped briefly to Sasuke's lips before snapping back to his eyes to gauge his reaction.
Sasuke's gaze fell, too, taking in the faint quiver of Naruto's lips and the intimate press of their bodies that made everything around them seem to have burst into flames.
The way Naruto's touch was both tentative and meaningful took Sasuke's breath away, leaving him acutely aware of his own emotions—unsteady, raw, and overpowering.
It was all so alluring Sasuke could do very little aside from giving in, completely captivated by their shared reactions and feelings towards each other.
Their foreheads met, their lips hovered dangerously close, separated by the barest sliver of air, and Sasuke's instincts took over before he could think better of it. His hand rose, fingers brushing the side of Naruto's neck before settling there, his thumb grazing the line of Naruto's jaw, eliciting a small, pleasurable noise from him that made fire pool in the pit of Sasuke's stomach.
Naruto's breath was warm against his mouth, uneven and shallow, and for a moment, the world seemed to hold its breath with them. It was amazing how, all of a sudden, Sasuke felt like he was burning with things that had been dormant in him before.
If it hadn't been obvious already right now the chemistry between them was more than palpable, impossible to ignore, and for a moment, Sasuke's mind reeled with the implications of that.
This was how things had turned out for them, and this was how things would be from now on.
In the overwhelming vastness of their feelings for each other, this existed, and while Sasuke had known, to a certain extent, that it could eventually come down to this, the confirmation hit him with a force that made him feel both stupid and breathless as several things further cleared up for him—for them.
A little frantically, he wondered if Naruto would close the distance between them because he certainly seemed like he would, and everything about his chakra signature signaled that he wanted it.
Sasuke tensed. He wasn't sure what he'd do if that happened, because he wanted it, too, and yet, he felt like he wasn't ready to deal with what it might bring because he felt that once it happened, something might be unleashed and there would be no going back.
His heart clenched painfully as a wave of tenderness hit him, alongside the crushing weight of guilt.
Fate had set them up in the most fucked up of ways.
Sasuke's throat tightened, but he couldn't pull away. Perhaps it was at this moment that he realized just how much he wanted to be part of Naruto's world, even if those nagging voices inside his head told him that Naruto deserved better than to live with the seemingly insurmountable challenge of trying to fit in with someone like him.
"We shouldn't," Sasuke uttered, forcing himself to break the moment because he knew they were being impulsive, carried by the flow far too easily, and it wasn't their time yet, not like this, and not with strange eyes watching them. "We're being watched."
Naruto sighed; the sound soft but reluctantly understanding. "Yeah, I know," he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. Despite his words, he didn't move away immediately. Instead, he tilted his head slightly, brushing his nose against Sasuke's in the faintest of gestures, their breaths mingling in the air between them. "It fucking sucks."
For a moment, they simply stood there, close enough to feel the warmth radiating from each other, as if neither was ready to let go of the intimacy of the moment. Sasuke's thumb traced a slow, deliberate line along Naruto's jaw, and Naruto leaned into the touch almost imperceptibly, his eyes fluttering shut for a second before snapping open again.
Then, with visible effort, he took a small step back, breaking the contact until only the ghost of their proximity remained. His cheeks were flushed, a vivid red that spread across his face and neck, and his eyes darted briefly to the side before returning to Sasuke's.
The amount of affection and crippling sorrow that Sasuke felt just then was unlike anything he had ever experienced.
He understood then exactly what he wanted, and it hit him how potentially troublesome it would be, not for himself, but certainly for the young man in front of him.
But he had promised himself and Naruto that he wouldn't let anything get in between them, not even his mind, so he needed to think about that first and foremost.
He felt greedy, yet protective, and these weren't feelings he thought would take hold of him this strongly.
It had been easier said than done a couple of days ago.
The space where Naruto had been just moments before felt cold, and his skin was uncomfortably warm. But he held Naruto's gaze steadily, as the tension slowly simmered down without fully dissipating. Through their shared gaze, they communicated what neither was ready to say aloud or even delve into—understanding, excitement, hesitation, desire, and something deeper that neither dared name just yet.
It all seemed too soon, and not soon enough.
Finally, Naruto's lips curved into a soft, genuine smile. "We should head back before the nurse cuts my head off," he said, his voice a little raspy and filled with warmth.
He extended his hand toward Sasuke, palm up, an invitation that carried more weight than he let on. Sasuke hesitated only for a second before nodding and reaching out, slipping his hand into Naruto's, and again, he was struck by how easy it all was.
Naruto's grin widened as he gave Sasuke's hand a light squeeze, turning toward the door. Together, they stepped back inside, the morning sun casting long shadows behind them.
000
The rooftop moment hung between them, the newfound longing difficult to shake and impossible to ignore.
Naruto, true to form, quickly returned to his usual loud and carefree self, though he was careful not to overstep or stir unwanted tension.
By lunchtime, they had effectively gone back to a burdened-free camaraderie, and Sasuke was impressed by Naruto's emotional intelligence at this point.
They practiced Naruto's left-handed chopstick skills. Clumsy but determined, Naruto followed Sasuke's patient guidance.
Once they finished eating, Sakura had stopped by to check on them and had kindly brought a newspaper. Sasuke wasn't particularly invested in the mundane details of Konoha's rebuilding efforts or local politics, but Naruto had eagerly asked him to read, so he obliged.
Sitting on his bed with his back against the headboard, Sasuke held up a semi-folded newspaper as his calm voice filled the room, reading passages aloud while Naruto listened.
Naruto sat slouched in a chair beside the bed, his head resting against the mattress near Sasuke's leg, occasionally interrupting with an offhand comment or a ridiculous remark.
"Wait," Naruto suddenly interjected, lifting his head with a curious expression. He hadn't been paying full attention. "The old man from the ramen shop? Teuchi-san? Read that part again."
Sasuke resisted the urge to roll his eyes, lowering the newspaper to his lap. "I'm not reading it again," he retorted. "There was an attempted burglary. The owner defended himself with boiling broth, and the thief is now in the hospital."
"Serves him right! Ramen's sacred! Who knows what could've happened if the shop had been compromised?" Naruto exclaimed with a solemn nod of approval. "We should find him in the hospital and kick his ass a little."
A faint smirk tugged at Sasuke's lips. "Yes, let's ruin the rest of my reputation while I'm here. Sounds like a brilliant plan."
Naruto shot him a wide, cheeky grin. "We can't have that, can we?"
Sasuke merely 'tsked' lightly, shrugging as the corner of his mouth twitched upwards.
It was remarkable how these small, inconsequential moments were so breezy.
Just as Sasuke reached for the newspaper again, the door creaked open, and a familiar masked face peeked inside. "Yo," Kakashi greeted, raising a hand. "May I come in?"
Naruto bolted upright, his face splitting into a grin. "Kakashi-sensei! Took you long enough! It's good to see you!"
"Make yourself at home," Sasuke said, motioning for him to come inside.
Kakashi stepped further into the room, making his way to the foot of the bed. His visible eye crinkled with a smile as his gaze briefly landed on Sasuke, who gave a subtle nod in acknowledgment, before shifting back to Naruto.
"I figured you'd enjoy some peace before you had to deal with me," Kakashi remarked lightly. "I'm glad you two seem to be doing well."
Naruto snorted. "Yeah, well, I've been going crazy in here! Sakura-chan comes by, but all she does is nag me, but she doesn't tell us anything!"
Kakashi chuckled, settling himself on the edge of Sasuke's bed. "Well, I can give you some news. The village is stabilizing, reconstruction's on track, and alliances are stronger than ever thanks to the war."
Naruto's grin softened, his tone quieting. "What about you? And everyone else? How's everyone holding up?"
Kakashi's visible eye softened, a hint of sadness flickering there. "We're all resilient, Naruto. Unfortunately, there's no time to grieve yet," he said honestly.
Sasuke could sense the weight behind Kakashi's words, recalling all that the man had endured—losing comrades, fighting a best friend who'd been presumed dead, and ultimately losing him again.
But Kakashi remained stoic. The man had always carried himself with dignity despite how aloof he seemed at times. "I was told you'll be allowed visitors in a couple of days. Iruka-sensei is driving himself crazy with worry."
Naruto lit up again, his grin returning. "That's awesome! I can't wait to see him!"
"Additionally, the memorial service for those we lost in the war will be held next week. By then, you should be well enough to attend."
Naruto nodded.. "I'll be there, no matter what."
Kakashi's tone softened, approval evident. "Good. Everyone's looking forward to seeing you. You're Konoha's hero, after all."
Naruto's smile faltered briefly, and though he didn't comment, it was clear that he still wasn't sure how to feel about his new status. Kakashi seemed to notice but chose not to press the issue.
Quietly, Sasuke watched the exchange without feeling the need to intervene. Kakashi knew he was listening, so if there was something he wanted him to say, he'd address him.
"Oh, and one more thing," Kakashi added, casually. "As of today, I've been officially appointed the Sixth Hokage."
Naruto went immediately rigid, worry flashing across his face. "What about Baa-chan?!" he asked, going a little pale. "Is she alright?"
"Tsunade-sama is recovering and doing well." Kakashi raised a hand to reassure him. "But she's expressed a desire to step down from the position, and she insisted I replace her."
Naruto exhaled in relief before brightening again. "Well, congrats, Kakashi-sensei! Or should I say Hokage-sama now?"
Kakashi waved off the title. "Let's not get carried away. I'll always be your teacher first. Being Hokage isn't exactly my dream job, but someone has to do it."
"Well, don't get too comfortable!" Naruto said, before punching his chest slightly. "Guess who's gonna kick you out of that chair?"
Kakashi's eye crinkled with amusement. "Don't make me wait too long. I'd like to retire while I'm still young."
Sasuke, who had been quietly observing, felt a strange churning in his stomach. The idea of Naruto becoming Hokage caused conflicting emotions to boil within him, ones he didn't fully understand. It wasn't jealousy—Naruto deserved everything he'd worked for—but it was something else.
Blue eyes turned to him, eyebrows rising slightly at sensing the shift in his mood.
However, Kakashi clapped his hands together once, making both boys look at him.
"As lovely as this conversation is, Naruto, I need to speak with Sasuke privately, so… would you mind?"
Naruto hesitated, his brow furrowing. "Uh… sure. Guess I'll go bug the nurses. But don't take too long, okay?"
Throwing one last concerned glance at Sasuke, Naruto got up and left the room, closing the door softly behind him to give them privacy.
Sasuke set the newspaper aside, meeting Kakashi's scrutinizing gaze with his chin proudly lifted. "I'm all ears, Hokage-sama."
Heaving a long sigh, the older man rubbed the side of his neck for a moment, thoughtfully as if he were pondering on the best way to approach him.
"I guess there's no point in sugarcoating this," he began, sounding as though it was a great hassle to talk to Sasuke about it. "You already know you're under strict surveillance. The only reason you're getting this small taste of freedom is because Naruto is your roommate. They trust him to keep you from doing anything stupid, or so the council believes."
Sasuke nodded, his expression calm. "I assumed as much."
Kakashi crossed his arms over his chest. "The council has decided that once you're medically cleared, you'll be taken into custody. You'll remain in prison until your sentencing."
Sasuke's jaw tightened slightly, but his face betrayed no emotion. "Do you have any idea of when that will be?"
"Not immediately because you're still recovering, but perhaps sooner than you expect."
The warning hit Sasuke harder than it should—that something like this would happen was no news to him and he had expected it, and yet, it brought a sour taste to his mouth.
Crossing one leg over the other casually, Kakashi openly evaluated his reaction, but Sasuke merely kept his mouth tightly shut. "Your actions during the war and the fact that you helped save the world will work in your favor," he said. "However, the other nations haven't forgotten that you stood against the Kages, including attempting to murder one of their siblings or your involvement with the Akatsuki. You've made some fierce enemies."
"That's irrelevant to me," Sasuke snapped, unable to hold himself back. "I did what I had to do and I wasn't trying to make friends. I don't expect anyone to understand that, and I know people's opinions won't change no matter what I say.
Kakashi's eye lingered on him for a moment before he carefully replied. "Forgiveness will take time, but it's possible. All I'm saying is that if you don't cooperate things could become complicated for you."
It wasn't a threat, but it irritated Sasuke all the same. He had no desire to bow down to villages or nations, and while he knew logically the repercussions of his actions and knew he had to atone, he didn't feel like he needed to justify what he had done out of necessity just to appease people who knew nothing about him.
Nevertheless, he couldn't help but think about Naruto and how it would feel, for him, if Sasuke disregarded what he hoped for when it came to them and their working together towards a better world. For that dream to be fulfilled, Sasuke would have to be pardoned—there was no other way because Naruto was now a hero and he could not afford to force all nations to accept a stubborn renegade.
Closing his eyes, Sasuke took a sharp intake of breath through his nose. "Don't worry, Kakashi. I'll cooperate," he said, slowly but flatly. "It's not like I have anything left to lose."
"I think you have a lot to lose," Kakashi contradicted, gently, and when Sasuke opened his eyes, he found his former teacher observing him a little sadly. "You're a very powerful Shinobi, Sasuke. You have so much potential, much like Itachi. Life still has plenty to offer you, so don't dismiss that."
At the mention of his brother, Sasuke felt his chest tighten, but he nodded almost imperceptibly. "Can you keep this between us for now?" he asked, masking the tension in his voice. He knew Kakashi was aware of Itachi's story and probably wanted to address it, but Sasuke didn't want to discuss it with him, perhaps ever. "That I'm being arrested?"
Kakashi raised an eyebrow but didn't seem fazed that Sasuke had steered the conversation. "Sakura knows, and I'm sure Naruto is already expecting it."
"I know," Sasuke admitted quietly. "But it's better if he doesn't know when it'll happen."
Kakashi's expression tensed "It'll hurt him to see you be taken away. And it'll hurt even more when he realizes you kept it from him."
"Then don't let him see it," Sasuke countered firmly, his dark gaze steady but quietly pleading. "I'll take responsibility for that and handle him myself"
Kakashi studied him for a moment, worry being replaced by empathy as he sighed. "That's on you, then," he muttered, with a shrug. "I'll do what I can."
"Thank you," Sasuke said, his voice quiet but sincere. He hesitated briefly, his gaze dropping to the hand he rested on his lap. "Kakashi… I'm sorry."
The Hokage blinked, visibly confused. "Why are you apologizing?"
"For trying to kill you. For a lot of things, actually," Sasuke explained, even if he couldn't find the words, not out of shame but because he wasn't good at this sort of thing, but he had a chance and he chose to grab it. "I was consumed by my hatred, my own goals. I didn't think about anyone else or the people I hurt along the way."
Kakashi contemplated him in silence, a flash of emotions crossing his gaze. He chuckled dryly and turned his face so he could look out the window. "I'm still standing, aren't I? I can handle an overzealous student with a vendetta," he mocked lightly. "Apology accepted, Sasuke. I won't say it didn't sting at the time, but I understood where it came from. You've been through a lot, and many of us had no idea."
It was a small validation of Sasuke's motivations, and yet it was enough to lift a bit of the unbearable weight of guilt that Sasuke carried. "Thank you," he whispered.
Kakashi glanced at him from the corner of his eye, offering a faint smile. "If you truly want to atone, focus on becoming the person I know you can be, which is the person Naruto has always seen and wanted by his side. That's the best way forward."
Sasuke nodded again, pressing his lips into a thin line. It was easier said than done, but he knew he at least had the motivation to try.
After a brief pause, Kakashi continued, his voice quieter, almost paternal. "I suppose I owe you an apology, too."
Sasuke blinked, surprised. "For what?"
"For failing you in the ways that mattered. As your teacher, and as a former comrade of your brother, I should've understood you better." Kakashi let out a slow breath, leaning back slightly and gazing up at the ceiling. "Instead of trying to see the world through your eyes, I tried to make you see it through mine. I deeply regret that."
"Don't," Sasuke cut, shaking his head with a frown. "There's no guarantee things would've turned out differently, no matter what you did."
"Maybe," Kakashi acquiesced with a shrug, but his tone tinged such an honest self-disappointment that it tugged at Sasuke's heartstrings. "But I should've tried harder. Not just to stop you, but to help you find another path. I wasn't a good role model, and for that, I'm sorry."
Sasuke's chest tightened at the rare vulnerability in Kakashi's voice, his words stirring an unexpected pang of gratitude for the man who still cared despite it all.
For the first time, he agreed with the words Kakashi had said to him long ago—they were not that different after all.
"You are one of the strongest people I know," Sasuke admitted because it was all he could do to ease his mind. "You did what you could, and it was more than a lot of people in my life did at the time. I'm grateful for that."
Kakashi hesitated briefly, and he said nothing, merely nodded, and Sasuke could swear that he saw his dark eye gleaming with emotion.
To not cause his teacher discomfort, Sasuke looked down at his hand, his fingers absently picking at the light fabric of his hospital pants.
The sound of the older man clearing his throat caused Sasuke's mismatched gaze to settle on him again.
"Since we're doing this apology ritual, there's one more thing," Kakashi said, quickly recovering from the emotional moment. "I shouldn't have made you responsible for Sakura's feelings."
Finally, the topic surfaced, and oddly enough, it helped lighten the mood left by the previous one.
Kakashi's meddling had come from good intentions, but that didn't make it less frustrating at the time. The last thing Sasuke needed was to be held accountable for someone else's unreciprocated romantic illusion, and while Sasuke could admit he had been cruel and dismissive of Sakura's feelings, he still didn't think it was his responsibility to control how she had chosen to interpret his actions—or lack thereof.
Sakura was another issue he would have to deal with at some point.
Kakashi's voice grew more contemplative. "I failed to fully grasp how much you three had grown—how much you'd all changed and followed paths I didn't anticipate. When I see the three of you together, I can't help but think of the past. A part of me wishes we could go back to simpler times. But I forgot how much has happened… and how deeply your bond with Naruto has evolved, despite everything. I didn't account for how much that would shift things."
Sasuke listened silently, letting Kakashi's words sink in. He didn't need to parse out hidden meanings; they were clear enough.
As Hokage, Kakashi undoubtedly knew everything, including the fragile, burgeoning connection between him and Naruto, and yet Sasuke found that he appreciated the acknowledgment, as well as Kakashi's restraint in not prying further.
"Things aren't as different as you think," Sasuke said carefully, unwilling to confirm or deny Kakashi's implication. "But they'll never be the way they used to."
Kakashi nodded, a faint look of lament passing through his features. "I know. All I ask is that, when the time comes, you handle things with Sakura gently. She may not have fought for you the way Naruto did, but she tried. She's gone through her own struggles because of you."
There was no point in arguing those words or the logic, and Sasuke understood the sentiment behind them. But Kakashi's subtle hints only confirmed what Sasuke had suspected—his teacher was already anticipating certain outcomes, even if Sasuke himself hadn't fully processed them yet.
"I'll do my best," Sasuke promised him, making sure his soft tone conveyed his resolution.
Sakura was not a priority to him though, and he'd deal with that when the right time came.
This time, Kakashi hesitated again, as if weighing whether or not to continue. When he finally spoke, his tone was softer but carried a firm edge, almost like a command wrapped in concern.
"Speaking of Naruto," Kakashi began his tone firm, "don't underestimate what he's done for you—or how much he needs you. You understand him in ways no one else does, and if you care about him—and I know you do— compromise what he's trying to build by thinking you know better. Don't make him fight for you again."
Sasuke's gaze remained steady, though Kakashi's words struck a nerve, leaving behind a raw ache of sentimentality. It was far more direct than the subtle hints Kakashi had dropped earlier, and Sasuke couldn't help but feel both exposed and strangely understood.
"I have no intention to," Sasuke said sincerely, shaking his head. "But that's not my choice alone."
Kakashi let out a low grunt of acknowledgment, the sound carrying both agreement and understanding. It was enough for Sasuke to know his words had been heard.
For a moment, they sat in silence, their gazes locked. Unspoken acceptance and forgiveness passed between them—a mutual understanding that didn't need to be voiced. Eventually, Kakashi broke the stillness, reaching forward to lightly pat Sasuke's foot before standing.
"I'll be off now; duty calls," Kakashi sighed, slipping his hands into his pockets. The movement was casual, but the weight of the conversation lingered.
Before fully turning toward the door, Kakashi glanced back, his visible eye softening as he spoke again. "You've been given a second chance, even if it doesn't feel like it yet. Embrace it the best you can, because a life of regrets is no life at all."
With that, he stepped toward the door, pausing briefly before stepping out. He cast one last glance over his shoulder, his voice gentler now. "I'll see you soon. Take care, Sasuke."
As the door clicked shut, the room fell silent. Sasuke let out a quiet huff, leaning his head back against the headboard. The emotions stirred by their conversation churned within him, and they were bittersweet but strangely calming.
He could hear Naruto's loud voice outside as he exchanged a few parting words with their former teacher.
Despite the heavy topics they'd touched upon, Sasuke couldn't deny the faint relief he felt. It was as though a small weight had been lifted from his shoulders, even if the larger burdens remained.
Something was calming about being nudged in the right direction, even when it led toward uncertainties, and while it was strange to know that Kakashi was aware of what was unfolding between him and Naruto, it was more than a little exciting to realize they had someone who understood them, even if Kakashi was one in a million.
They needed no one to validate anything for them, so it was more than enough.
The ominous nature of what lay ahead didn't scare Sasuke. What unsettled him was the thought of how long it might be before he could see Naruto again once things began to happen.
That alone, more than anything, was what made his heart tighten with the uncalled-for feeling of dread.
000
The hospital room was steeped in darkness, the faint hum of the building's systems and the muffled footsteps of night shift staff the only sounds breaking the tranquility. Pale moonlight filtered through the curtains, scattering uneven shadows across the walls.
Sasuke lay on his bed, his eyes fixed on the ceiling and a hand over his forehead. He couldn't sleep, his mind a whirlwind of thoughts that he couldn't quite organize, torn between vague apprehension and acceptance. Being around Naruto had the surreal effect of removing the outside reality from his worries, and exactly because Sasuke knew their time was scarce, for now, he indulged in oblivion.
However, the conversation with Kakashi had unavoidably forced him to start to consider his current predicament and what it meant for him and Naruto.
"Sasuke?" Naruto's soft, low voice broke through the quiet. Sasuke knew the other young man wasn't sleeping either due to his constant thrashing, so he didn't flinch and merely turned his head slightly toward the vague outline of Naruto's form in his bed. "Are you awake?"
"Yeah."
A pause, then a quieter question. "Are you alright?"
Naruto, of course, had to sense his contemplative state of mind.
"I'm fine," Sasuke replied softly.
"Did Kakashi-sensei say something to you?"
Sasuke's tone remained even, carefully indifferent. "Not really."
Naruto shifted in his bed. Even in the dim light, Sasuke could make out the glare aimed his way. "Liar," Naruto accused, though his voice held no anger. "But whatever, I won't bug you about it."
Sasuke didn't respond, relieved Naruto let the subject drop. He wasn't ready to revisit Kakashi's words or add to Naruto's worries.
The minutes stretched in silence, and Sasuke was beginning to think Naruto had fallen asleep when the soft creak echoed in the room.
Glancing at Naruto's bed again, he caught the silhouette of the blond one moving toward him on tiptoes, his pillow secured under his armpit.
"What are you doing?" Sasuke whispered, making a face while using his hand to propel his torso up a little.
Naruto didn't answer, continuing until he reached the edge of Sasuke's bed. Without hesitation, he tossed his pillow down beside Sasuke and climbed in, the mattress dipping slightly under his weight. Sasuke raised an eyebrow, knowing Naruto could see it thanks to the faint light filtering in from the window, casting his bed in a soft glow, but his friend simply stuck his tongue out at him childishly.
"You waste no time, huh, Usuratonkachi?" Sasuke muttered, unsure whether to be astonished or amused.
Naruto huffed, shifting to get comfortable. "You told me I didn't need to ask!"
"To touch me, not to get in bed with me!" Sasuke threw, through clenched teeth, even if he wasn't truly upset about it.
Naruto turned to him and leaned closer, his voice dropping to an accusing whisper. "Oh, come on, Sasuke. After what happened up there on the roof, you expect me to believe you have boundaries now?"
"What happened on the roof, exactly?" Sasuke quipped, his tone clipped, daring Naruto to say it out loud.
Naruto pouted, clearly debating whether to hold back or push forward. When he spoke, the boldness of his words blindsided Sasuke. "I know you got hard, bastard."
Sasuke's breath hitched, momentarily stunned into silence.
Even if he could see that Naruto tensed, instantly realizing that he had probably gone too far, the sheer audacity of that blond idiot slapped him in the face. He couldn't even feel self-conscious he was so… he didn't even know if he was impressed or affronted, but his temper did rise a little.
No, this was not the end of it.
Slowly, his eyes narrowed at his friend, who flinched. "For someone who panicked about kissing me in my sleep and didn't want to talk about embarrassing stuff, you sure have a lot of nerve all of a sudden," Sasuke uttered, his voice low and deceivingly smooth. "Do you have a fucking death wish now?"
Naruto faltered visibly, and Sasuke could feel him recoiling, regretting his choice of words.
"Okay, never mind, it was a joke!" he huffed, sounding a little offended even though he'd been the one to start it. "I'll just head back to my bed if it bothers you so much, geez."
It wasn't a joke and both knew it. Sasuke wasn't exactly bothered by the reminder of what their little interlude had done to him, but Naruto's impulsive outbursts of stupidity always caught him by surprise.
He had to remind himself that pestering him was also one of Naruto's favorite things.
Naruto began to get up, prompting Sasuke to sigh heavily and roll his eyes. "Get your ass back here," he said, and even though he sounded demanding, his voice was also softly apologetic.
Naruto froze for a moment before scooting back into the bed, pulling the covers over himself with a triumphant grin, and lying on his back. "You're so damn confusing, Sasuke," he whispered, though his amusement was clear. He twisted his body in a rather awkward angle so he could use his hand to shove at Sasuke's chest. "Scoot over; there isn't exactly enough space for two people."
"God, you're a pain in the ass," Sasuke groaned but still shifted slightly to make room. "That's why this is a fucking hassle. Just turn your back to me."
Naruto's eyes widened in confusion. "Huh? What for?"
"Just do it, idiot," Sasuke muttered, his voice betraying no emotion but carrying an unmistakable note of impatience.
Naruto hesitated, clearly trying to decipher Sasuke's intent, but he eventually complied, turning onto his side with a mutter of, "Weird guy…"
Sasuke grunted and shifted closer, throwing an arm over Naruto's waist. He felt Naruto tense at the contact, and the reaction made him smirk a little. At least that shut him up.
Adjusting his position carefully to accommodate his wounded arm, Sasuke eventually found a comfortable angle. The warmth radiating between them was oddly soothing, and their bodies seemed to fit together with an ease that left him momentarily fascinated. It was comfortable enough that he could fall asleep like this if he had to.
"Sasuke?" Naruto called out, barely above a whisper, hesitant.
Sasuke didn't reply, his friend's uncertain tone causing him to stiffen. Only then did he realize what, exactly, he was doing.
What was he doing holding Naruto like this?
It had felt so natural, so automatic, that he hadn't stopped to think about it. Sasuke was always two steps ahead, always calculated—except when it came to Naruto, and this wasn't the first time.
And, distraught as this made him feel, this was something that still bewitched him.
The fact that Naruto wasn't complaining added to the flow of things because even if was as still as Sasuke was, his energy revealed an internal state of exhilaration and uncertainty.
Holding his breath, he looked at the back of Naruto's head, realizing that the messy golden locks were brushing the tips of his nose. He could smell the faint scent of the hospital's shampoo.
His mind went blank as his stomach did a strange flip, and unthinkingly, he closed his eyes and leaned in until his lips brushed lightly against the nape of Naruto's neck.
The faintest tremor rippled through Naruto's body and the sudden erratic beat of his heart was impossible to ignore.
Naruto was in shock, and even if Sasuke couldn't see his face, he imagined blue eyes widening, whiskered cheeks reddening, and white teeth gnawing at his lower lip.
It was oddly captivating—the way Naruto responded to him. Perhaps this was why it lured Sasuke in so much.
That, and he remembered how frail and precious the time between them was just then
Exhaling softly, Sasuke allowed himself to fully press a deliberate, lingering kiss at the base of Naruto's neck, relishing the way heat seemed to rise beneath his lips.
The stillness of the room wrapped around them, broken only by the faint rustle of fabric and their uneven breaths. Sasuke's arm rested loosely around Naruto's waist, his fingers absently brushing against the hem of Naruto's t-shirt.
Naruto swallowed and made a strange noise with the back of his throat. "Sasuke…"
It wasn't a question or a warning. It sounded like a hesitant request that he didn't know how to articulate, perhaps fearing that it would be misinterpreted, but Sasuke read his thoughts as if they were his own, and quickly understood that the small point of contact wasn't enough.
His chest tightened with a need he didn't quite know how to put into words either.
His breath hitched slightly, and he wet his lips, his voice barely above a whisper. "Are you uncomfortable?"
Naruto's body only tensed briefly before a breath left him and he allowed himself to relax a little into Sasuke's hold. "No," he said softly, almost shyly. Then, he added, "I like it."
Those three words hit Sasuke like a bolt of lightning, sending warmth coursing through him, and still, he all but nodded. "Good."
After a brief moment, Sasuke felt his friend reach for his hand, and he allowed himself to be carried by the motions swiftly as their fingers slowly intertwined. Naruto's grip was firm but cautious, experimental, but the subdued way he fidgeted and the rapid breathing pattern—that he tried to hide by not being too noisy—gave away his excitement.
It was peculiar that when Naruto brought Sasuke's hand up to his lips to press a soft, lingering kiss to his knuckles, something in Sasuke had been expecting it.
The lips were tender and a little moist, and Sasuke felt his pulse quicken as they brushed against his skin again and again, leaving a trail of kisses along his fingers. It was both intimate and innocent, and it made Sasuke's chest ache with an unfamiliar, almost overwhelming emotion. As if feeling it, Naruto shifted again, dragging himself back against Sasuke until their bodies were pressed flush.
Sasuke didn't resist, moved by the pure honesty of the other teen's body language and by yet another intimate moment that was theirs alone and that he felt powerless to fight.
He moved closer instinctively, his arm tightening around Naruto's waist as their legs tangled together.
The novelty of all the sheer newness of being this close, of allowing themselves to touch and feel without hesitation—was intoxicating. Sasuke couldn't deny how good it felt, how perfectly they seemed to fit together. Every inch of Naruto's firm body against his own, every subtle shift, every quiet sigh—it all left him feeling as though he was on the edge of something he couldn't quite name, but that, again, felt frail, even dangerous.
For a while, neither of them spoke, simply holding on to each other while basking in the quiet intimacy. Sasuke's thumb traced small, absent patterns against Naruto's stomach, while Naruto's hand rested over his, their fingers still entwined, and the silence wasn't heavy but peaceful, filled with an unspoken understanding that neither of them wanted to break.
Eventually, Naruto let out a soft breath. "For what it's worth, and if it makes you feel better… Well, back there on the roof…" he started, not without a bit of both embarrassment and humor. "I got hard, too. You're too damn good-looking for your good, bastard. It's distracting."
Sasuke blinked, momentarily caught off guard by Naruto's honesty. Then he found himself smiling—a small, genuine curve of his lips that he quickly hid by burying his face in the crook of Naruto's neck, this time able to feel not just the clean scent there, but also the natural one that exuded from Naruto's skin—stronger and more pronounced than what Sasuke recall from a few years previously, but unmistakably familiar.
"You're still not getting away with it," Sasuke murmured against Naruto's skin, and he didn't recognize the particular hint of fondness in his voice at all.
Naruto chuckled softly. "Bring it on, bastard," he replied, his tone playful despite the heat lingering in the air between them.
They didn't speak again after that, but Sasuke could feel Naruto's content, very similar to his. There was no need for words, no need to overthink or analyze because it would just bring chaos to something that, for now, felt organic and pure.
It was so pure and flawless it was heartbreaking.
To think that just a few days ago the world was ending and they were beating each other to the death. All the darkness, anguish, and despair Sasuke had felt, still lived inside him, simmering gently, but there, and perhaps they would never leave. However, thinking back, it had all been so haunting and ugly, and Naruto had to deal with it all.
Naruto also carried darkness within him which he had embraced but constantly strived to turn into light.
Even now, Naruto reached out to him, seeking to drown out his darkness, his overwhelming loneliness.
Sasuke didn't understand how he could be someone's light, and yet, he'd always been Naruto's light, as well as Itachi's.
It was a heavy burden to bear, and also the biggest gift.
To think that Sasuke could do something now to soil the purity of those feelings made dread crawl into his stomach.
He'd been so lost for so long, overwhelmed by the hideousness of love and hatred that he didn't know how to even begin to accept that it didn't all have to be so painful.
He wanted to—he was trying—but he simply wasn't sure if his broken existence knew how.
He only hoped that Naruto, in his innocent eagerness and passionate idealism would guide them as he always had.
In the quiet stillness of the room, with their bodies pressed together, the tension that had once simmered between them had softened and mutated into something that both instinctively understood.
The warmth of Naruto's body against his own, the steady pulse of his heartbeat beneath his hand felt like the best thing that had happened to Sasuke, and he was grateful to be alive.
As Naruto's breathing grew softer, signaling that sleep was beginning to claim him, Sasuke allowed himself to close his eyes and let the gentle thrum of their connection lull him into a deep, peaceful slumber.
TBC!
If I told you how hard it was to write the final scene you probably won't believe me. I know what type of plot I want, and they just want to make life difficult for me.
If you know my work, you know I love some drama and intensity, and these two in my mind are unhinged. I have a feeling things will escalate a lot soon. Pray for me, please 3
Don't forget to comment and offer your support guys! There's nothing that motivates an author more than receiving love and encouragement, and of course, constructive feedback.
Recommending fics you like and bringing in more readers is also helpful, so please do that if you can!
The next chapter will take longer to arrive because I'm currently re-reading and editing "From Which We'll Rise" and almost done with the next chapter of "Assuming We…" so I'd like to get that out of the way.
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