Where Fire Burns

by UchihanoChidori

After the war, Naruto and Sasuke understand that something deeper binds them, but moving forward isn't easy when love alone isn't enough. As they face a world still healing, society's expectations, and their own clashing ideals, they must find a way to create the future they want together.

4. Unravel I

I apologize in advance if this is a mess. I finished the chapter on Friday, and then while editing I had to redo a bunch of stuff on the text while being busy overall with other mundane things, so by now I just give up.

I wanted to bestow my lovely readers with the humble gift of a new chapter because I won't be able to work on anything next week, so hopefully it's not too bad.

This chapter was supposed to have several scenes, but Sasuke and Naruto decided that it had to be all about themselves, so here we are.

coughs* I hope everyone likes it. I'm genuinely nervous about this one…

Thank you to every single one of you who has read this fic. Thank you for the wonderful comments and the kudos! The overall reactions I've been receiving have been amazing and overwhelming, and I'm grateful to every single one of you for making this story worth writing.

As always, feel free to let me know your headcanons for the story and events/details you'd like to see. Can't promise anything, but it sure feeds the muse ;)

On with the show!

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Where Fire Burns

Chapter Four: Unravel I

Sasuke watched from where he stood a few steps away in the hallway, hand in the pocket of his pants, as Naruto leaned far too eagerly against the nurse's station.

Leave it to the idiot to go out of his way to find them somewhere different so they could talk in peace, but Sasuke knew that this was also him becoming restless from being trapped in the same place for too long.

His friend was already craving some semblance of normalcy, and this had nothing to do with Sasuke himself, it was just the way he was.

Sasuke didn't mind being in their room, the quiet place that had become their sanctuary—witness to their constant physical healing and the development of something they didn't know what to call yet.

Absolute freedom had been a part of his life for the last few years, so of course he missed being outdoors and doing whatever he pleased.

However, trapped in that hospital, he found himself struggling with the idea of longing for freedom. This was not something that he would do, because he couldn't afford to, and he knew it was stupid of him, but he felt like it was easier to handle this way.

Changing places, pretending that everything was alright—that false sense of normalcy—was something that did nothing but feed him a sense of delusion.

Despite this, he had to admit that it was becoming harder not to yearn for freedom, even if the reason was a little simplistic, and in the shape of a loud and overexcited blond individual.

In their current situation, though, Sasuke didn't want Naruto to feel bad, and he wanted them to spend time together, so he always indulged his friend's constant search for novelty, even in the most unlikely places.

The woman behind the counter barely spared Naruto a glance, flipping through papers on her clipboard with a practiced disinterest.

"Come on, you know I'm a good boy," Naruto was saying, flashing her his most radiant and charming smile—Sasuke was impressed by how suave the idiot could be. "It's just the cafeteria. We won't leave the building or anything."

The nurse didn't even bother looking up. "You're not even allowed to leave this floor, let alone the building, Uzumaki-san."

Sasuke didn't need to see Naruto's face to know that the response hit exactly where it wasn't supposed to since he froze for a second, his weight shifting off the counter slightly. He didn't ask why, because he already knew, and so did Sasuke.

Naruto recovered quickly, though, letting out a sigh and scratching the back of his head, his shoulders dropping slightly in defeat. "Figures."

For a moment, the nurse didn't say anything else, and Sasuke expected that to be the end of it.

Then, with a small huff, she spoke again. "There is a small dining area on this floor for patients who are nearly recovered," she informed, her voice softer this time as she looked over the rim of her glasses. "It's not much, but it has some space to sit and a window. I'm sure you boys will have some privacy since it's not lunchtime yet."

Naruto perked up instantly, his entire body language shifting, eyes bright with renewed energy. "Seriously? That's perfect!"

Despite the woman's goodwill, Sasuke had to wonder how much privacy they would have, if any.

The apparent solitude he and Naruto shared was imaginary. Even in that damn corridor, Sasuke could feel traces of the ANBU guards, probably camouflaged or hidden in the walls.

They allowed their chakra to be noticed on purpose—Sasuke knew this came as a silent warning for him. He knew the whole damn floor was probably wired, too, and while he didn't care about them, it was something that irked him and never truly allowed him to feel at ease.

It was kind of funny, because even if he wasn't fond of Konoha at the moment, he knew better than to try and escape, not because he couldn't, but because he had promised not to.

He would lie if he said the thought hadn't briefly crossed his mind, just for the amusement of it. If Naruto came with him, it would create havoc.

He knew it wouldn't happen, but it was strangely interesting to think about.

The nurse arched a tired brow at Naruto as if she wasn't sure why he was this excited over a hospital break room. She motioned vaguely down the hall. "Second door past the medication storeroom. I'll have someone bring you some tea in a bit."

Sasuke watched as Naruto grinned as if she had just granted him the biggest favor in the world.

"You're the best!" he declared, already turning on his heel, his enthusiasm fully restored.

Sasuke sighed.

"Didn't I tell you I'd get her to spill the beans?" Naruto said, stopping in front of him proudly. "If we like it, we can have lunch there, too!"

Sasuke raised an eyebrow. The hospital itself was already so loud during the day that he didn't know if he wanted to leave the peace of their room to eat in the middle of noisy strangers.

Naruto didn't wait for his reply, because he jerked his head toward the hallway. "Are you coming or what?"

Sasuke didn't respond verbally, but he simply nodded and easily fell into a step beside him as they made their short way to their destination.

000

The place was small and sparsely furnished. There was a wide window across from the entrance, a few rows of basic tables and chairs, and the faint scent of cleaning solution and herbs seemed to be clinging to the walls. It wasn't much, but Naruto looked satisfied enough as he dropped into a chair by the window, stretching his legs out contently.

Sasuke didn't dislike it per se, and he was thankful that at least they had the place to themselves.

"Man," Naruto exhaled, arm folded behind his head, seemingly completely at ease. "A change of scenery would've been better, but this works, I guess."

Sasuke didn't comment, instead carefully sitting on the chair across from him. He felt a little stiff that day, his muscles still sore, and he hadn't slept much the previous night considering his mind was all over the place from all the things happening (and not happening) and the obvious and quick shift of his and Naruto's relationship.

The view outside was nothing remarkable—just rooftops and narrow streets leading into the heart of the village, alive with movement, with life that carried on without them. It wasn't much different from the view of their room, so nothing different there.

It warmed his heart to see Naruto look so happy, so relieved to be in a different setting, even if it was just the two of them. He understood that feeling too well, because he enjoyed Naruto's company, even if his hyperactivity sometimes got on his nerves, especially when he talked his mouth off out of boredom to the point where Sasuke effectively stopped listening. Regardless, it was nice to have that constant that was his familiar presence.

Naruto had always been so easy to please, and yet, it still surprised Sasuke how simply spending time together could satisfy him—them—so much.

A few minutes later, a young nurse appeared at the door, carrying a tray with two steaming cups of tea.

She was probably a bit older than them, maybe in her early twenties, yet she smiled at them with a small blush as she placed it on their table, nodding once before stepping away.

Sasuke caught the lingering glance she threw their way, though he couldn't tell if it was admiration, curiosity, or something else entirely.

He resisted the urge to sigh.

Did she even know who he was?

Naruto, predictably, was oblivious as he immediately reached for his cup, pulling it close, and taking a small whiff. "Ahhh, this smells good," he said, eyes falling shut for a second as if just the scent alone was enough to bring him joy.

Sasuke picked up his cup, turning it in his hand, letting the warmth sink into his fingers. The faint herbal scent settled between them, curling into the quiet air.

It was interesting that Naruto grew to like warm tea because he hadn't been particularly fond of it in the past, and yet, now it was something he shared with Sasuke.

"They're amazing," Sasuke said conversationally.

Naruto blinked at him over the rim of his cup. "Huh?"

"People in health care," Sasuke clarified. "Doctors, nurses... medics." He took a slow sip of his tea, voice calm and thoughtful as he continued. "The ability to treat everyone the same, no matter who they are or what they've done."

Naruto frowned slightly, tilting his head in assessment. "You mean because they don't treatyouany different?"

"Most people can't do that," he said simply, with a nod. "Even when they try."

Naruto was quiet for a moment, his lips puckering in thought. "Guess that's why they do what they do, huh?" he mused, setting his cup down and resting his chin in his palm. "It's kind of like being aShinobi, but instead of fighting people, they save them."

"I suppose," Sasuke agreed, lifting his cup again. "AlthoughShinobisave people, too; only in a different way."

"Oh yeah, definitely," Naruto agreed, catching the reference, and his grin widened as if he was pleased with himself. He then took a long breath, letting out a satisfied sigh as he leaned back in his chair, eyes falling on Sasuke in gentle contemplation.

Sasuke let the comfortable silence wrap around them as he looked out the window. There was a bit of tension hanging in the air due to the conversation and events of the previous night, but it wasn't the uncomfortable type.

They had already inadvertently said and done many things to establish something in their relationship, to a certain extent, so he didn't exactly feel like this was unfamiliar territory.

Now, he and Naruto would talk, but both knew there were topics they weren't ready for yet and that there were wounds that couldn't be reopened until others were properly closed.

However, he was increasingly surprised by how effortlessly they now traveled through all the stages of their interactions, and while this was reassuring in a way, it was also perplexing.

Just a few days ago, Sasuke had been ready to die—no plans, no dreams, no fears—and now, he was here, sitting across from his best friend, getting emotionally entangled and overthinking the future (if there was even one, to begin with).

Where there had been nothing, now there was everything—prospects, faith, uncertainty, excitement, and even love, no matter which shape it took.

He inhaled slowly, rolling the warm cup between his fingers. It was unsettling how fast everything had shifted and how now there was fear, too, not for himself, but for the well-being of something (and someone) he had nearly destroyed.

Across from him, Naruto was watching him expectantly, so Sasuke met his gaze. "Why are you staring?"

"No reason," Naruto shrugged, but his grin softened. "I guess I just really like looking at your face."

Sasuke rolled his eyes, fighting the instinctive heat creeping up his neck, lips twitching just slightly. Sometimes he didn't know if Naruto was just being himself or if he was purposefully flirting with him. "Idiot."

Naruto laughed, lightly, making something bubble pleasantly inside Sasuke's chest.

Then, the other teen's expression turned a little more serious. "We should start talking, right?" he said, scratching the back of his head while looking somewhat sheepish. "It's a little awkward to just start it off like this."

Sasuke smirked. "Don't be so serious about it, then," he suggested, before opting for a softer, more solemn tone. "Do you have any questions for me?"

"I don't know; It's not like I had a detailed plan of how this would go," Naruto admitted, his fingers tapping against his mug. "I guess, at this point, I just want to know how you feel about this."

There was no need for clarification on what "this" meant.

"I don't know the specifics of how I feel about it, but it's fine," Sasuke retorted, honestly. Sensing that he had probably been a little too dry, he cleared his throat. "It's not… I don't have a problem with it, but it's a lot to take in, and a huge turn of events overall, so I don't know what I can say about it right now."

Slowly, Naruto nodded, understandingly. "I know you're holding back on stuff," he commented. "So, I mean… Do you like it? I'm not sure if you do it because you feel uncomfortable or have doubts or reservations about anything."

Sasuke was quiet for a second.

His first instinct was to say yes—because of course, he liked it. The way Naruto looked at him, the warmth of his presence, the way their conversations felt natural even when they were heavy, their overwhelming yet comforting intimacy...

But liking it wasn't the issue.

"I wouldn't be the way I am with you if it made me feel uncomfortable, or if I didn't like it," he replied, again, as honestly as he could. "As grateful as I am to you for what you've done for me, I'm not the type of person to do things I don't want just to pay up a debt."

At this, Naruto's eyes seemed to brighten up, but when he leaned forward, his gaze was serious. "I already told you; there are no debts between us."

Looking down, Sasuke saw Naruto's hand carefully reaching out to him across the table. Sasuke's fingers were wrapped around his teacup, but when he felt fingertips brushing his knuckles tentatively, almost asking for permission, he allowed himself to grab them.

Their hands had found each other too many times now for it to feel strange, but it still made something shift inside him. He let Naruto's fingers wrap around his, feeling the warmth settle between them, grounding him in ways he wouldn't admit out loud.

Sasuke's thumb brushed absently over Naruto's hand as if testing the feel of it, hoping to offer some assurance, too.

Their nights together were always warm and intimate, and yet during the day, it felt like the reality of it all hit a little harder. It wasn't a problem for him, but it still felt surreal.

"Right," he eventually said, with a small shrug. "Well, I don't have reservations about anything, either. I'm just taking things one at a time, and that's it."

Naruto nodded again, watching him closely, then gave his hand a small squeeze. "Same here."

When didn't let go, Sasuke didn't pull away, either.

Then, his friend smiled faintly at him; blue eyes glued to Sasuke's, innocently hopeful. "Does that mean that it doesn't make you feel weird because we're…you know…"

Sasuke merely raised an eyebrow. "Both men?" he filled in directly.

"Yeah…" The reddish hue on Naruto's cheeks was rather amusing to see.

"No," Sasuke said without hesitation because it was the truth. He had never taken the time to think about his sexuality, and he'd seen too much already to be black and white about it.

Besides, he knew himself well enough to know that he valued genuine connections over what was considered socially normal. He had no idea how he'd feel about the technicalities, though, but that applied to every gender.

"My hesitance has nothing to do with your gender or how I feel about intimacy, Naruto," Sasuke felt the need to add. "Emotional ties are more important to me than what's between your legs. Sex is just sex, and people can choose to do it or not. Even if they prefer one thing over that, if they care about the person they are with, they'll find a way."

If Sasuke had randomly slapped him Naruto wouldn't have looked as shocked as he did. His eyebrows disappeared behind his golden fringe, eyes wide, and mouth slightly agape as if he hadn't expected something like that from him at all.

Sasuke felt Naruto's fingers squeeze his emphatically and his gaze didn't waver as he spoke again. "So… why do you hesitate so much between us?"

Pausing, Sasuke glanced down at their hands, at the way Naruto's fingers fit so easily with his, then looked back up, meeting those unrelenting, hopeful blue eyes. "You do know that I'll be arrested, right?" he asked quietly.

Naruto's face scrunched up for a moment, and yet, he didn't seem fazed. "They can't keep you locked away forever," was all he said, calmly.

"You don't know that."

"I won't let them," Naruto assured him, the conviction in his voice unfaltering. "You saved the world. Yes, you did a lot of stupid stuff, too, but I'm pretty confident it won't outweigh the good things you did. Besides, you're an amazingShinobi! They'd be stupid if they let it go to waste."

Despite his friend's confidence, Sasuke couldn't feel the same way. Not that he thought less of himself, because hewasaware of the things he had done, good and bad, and he knew well he was strong and intelligent. It might take a while for him to get in shape, especially after losing an arm, but he knew he was determined enough to go back to becoming a force to be reckoned with, even with a disability.

The real question was, would the world choose to see him as an asset or a threat?

These were things Sasuke didn't feel like discussing with Naruto because it was not worth it. He already knew the guy would bend backward for him and would do whatever he could to set him free, but ultimately, things might not go his way.

"I think… that this between us can and will be used against me," Sasuke chose to say, to address Naruto's initial question, which made the other frown.

"How so?"

"Because they know about it," Sasuke murmured, lifting their joined hands slightly to allude to the obvious nature of theirsituation. "I don't care what they do to me, but I feel like they will use you to punish me, and I know it will end up affecting you, too."

There was another look of surprise on Naruto's face, but he ended up scoffing. "You don't need to worry about me, and I already told you you'll be fine," he dismissed, with a cheeky lopsided smirk. "Or what, are you worried I'll be wallowing in misery if you get arrested for a long time?"

"Yes," Sasuke affirmed, tone torn between dryness and sarcasm. "Isn't that what you've been doing since I left?"

"Oh, go to hell," Naruto dissed, shaking his head in amusement. "Look at you, pretending that you actually care about my feelings."

Sasuke threw him a nasty look but didn't comment, his grip on Naruto's hand loosening slightly, though he didn't pull away.

"Even if what you think happens and I get a light sentence," he proceeded. "What if I'm not allowed to be aShinobi? Or even allowed to be a part of Konoha anymore?"

"Well, that would require some readjustments in my life, yeah," Naruto conceded smoothly as if the thought had already occurred to him, and he had long since come to terms with it. "But it would be manageable, sure."

Sasuke could only frown at the carefreeness. "Readjustments?"

Naruto merely shrugged, smiling at him like a happy sunflower in a child's book. "Yeah!"

He looked so unpreoccupied that it poked Sasuke's nerves unexpectedly, his pulse quickening. How could he say something like that so carelessly?

Sasuke's fingers loosened, and after a beat, he let go of Naruto's hand entirely, sliding it under the table and creating a needed boundary between them.

He couldn't allow Naruto to be blindsided by him.

Sasuke's actions made Naruto hesitate—his fingers lingering like they weren't quite ready to part—before he pulled back as well, flexing his hand once as if testing the absence of Sasuke's touch. His smile faltered slightly but didn't disappear entirely.

Sasuke's frown, however, deepened. "What about your goals and your dreams?" he insisted, making Naruto huff, now a little distraught.

"I didn't forget about them, but if you can't live in Konoha, I'll have to set that aside for a while," he explained, moving as if to cross his arms over his chest, but he forgot he only had one, so he merely leaned back on the chair and hugged his belly. "But it's okay, Sasuke. We'll figure it out, I'm sure."

Sasuke's chest tightened in a way that wasn't entirely comfortable.

"This is one of the reasons why I'm holding back, Naruto," he said, voice quieter. "Because I know you're an idiot who will do stupid things for my sake; perhaps even let go of your ambitions and miss out on good things because of me. I don't want you to do that."

Naruto sighed loudly, his free hand now coming up to rub at his temple dramatically as if he were getting a headache. "Why is this an issue?" he asked, making a confused face. "You don't think you're worth that? Is that what you're telling me? That I should just let you go and live my dreams instead, so I don't 'miss out on good things'?"

Sasuke inhaled sharply, turning his head slightly, and looking away. "I don't know if I'm worth it, and neither do you," he hissed. "I want to be, but it's not that simple."

Tsking, Naruto groaned impatiently. "You know I didn't want to save you just to be a hero, right?" he reminded him, firmly. "I wanted to stop you, yes, and I would never forgive myself if anything bad happened to you. But I did itfor me, too." He leaned forward again, just enough to put some weight on his words. "I. Did. It. For. Me."

Sasuke's gaze snapped back to him, throat constricting at the raw, straightforward words coming from his precious person's mouth. His eyes narrowed at seeing the defiance in the beautiful blue ones before him. "I know," he conceded after a long pause.

Naruto exhaled, leaning back again and shaking his head.

"You underestimate how highly I think of you, or how much you mean to me," he murmured. This time, it was him who frowned at Sasuke, and he seemed to be pleading. "Don't do this. No matter what you think, say, or do, it's not going to change my mind. Pushing me away out of remorse or because you think I could do better will not change anything in how I'll act when it comes to you. You should know that already."

Sasuke stared at him unblinkingly, teeth buried in his lower lip. Naruto's resolute words were so naïve and idealistic, yet they were sincere, and genuine, coming from a place of longing that wasn't as bright as it sounded.

"I don't understand how you can want someone who tried to kill you twice," Sasuke said, and he had meant for it to sound less reprimanding, and less anxious, but his voice had failed him.

Naruto gave him a look, one that was both exasperated and impossibly fond.

It hurt Sasuke to see it.

"I know why you did it, and I know what would've happened to you if you succeeded," he said simply. "Let's not do this, Sasuke. It's not relevant to what we're talking about."

Sasuke scoffed. "Not relevant toyou."

"Not relevantto us."

Sasuke let the words sit for a moment before letting out a small, reluctant breath. "You realize how fucked up it all sounds sounds?"

"Yeah, well, maybe you're not the only one with a few loose screws, but I've made my peace with that," Naruto threw, again, sounding far too careless.

Sasuke closed his eyes briefly, shaking his head, but when he opened them again, his features had softened just slightly.

Naruto was such a dreamer, and yet he kept his word, and that wasn't something Sasuke could escape. The blond one was already too immersed in this little world of possibilities that was theirs, and he would live the fantasy until it shattered.

The most ridiculous part was that he knew there was nothing healthy or even normal about them or his feelings for Sasuke, and yet he embraced it wholeheartedly, ready to go deep and beyond regardless of where it took him.

Sasuke understood why.

Naruto knew his heart, knew Sasuke accepted him completely, and thus it was a hopeless case of simply not being able to turn away.

It was also a matter of sheer longing. Naruto had been chasing after him for so long, and in return, Sasuke had relished knowing he had that kind of power over the other, even if he hadn't admitted it before.

Granted, Naruto had been chasing something he knew was real between them, no matter what Sasuke said to contradict it. How could he ask the other boy to stop now that he was within reach?

How could he tell Naruto not to want something he knew was his—something he also knew Sasuke himself wanted but didn't dare to hope for?

Sasuke could be stubborn, but so could Naruto.

A silence stretched between them, not uncomfortable, but heavy with understanding.

Eventually, Sasuke heaved a long sigh, shoulders slumping in defeat.

"I've never had an interest in romantic liaisons, and it wasn't something I ever considered in my life," Sasuke declared, now reaching out to his cup of tea and bringing it closer to his chest. "I don't even know if I'm cut out for that, or if I can give you what you want."

He could tell Naruto's muscles clenched almost imperceptibly, perhaps in disappointment or uncertainty, but he tried not to show it. "I don't want anything you don't want, too," he said, his voice steady but gentle. "I already told you. I don't have any expectations for… romantic whatever. I'm just… taking it as we go, the same as you."

"And you think that's reasonable?" Sasuke pressed. "You're setting yourself up to change your whole life for something that's going to be nothing but trouble. It's taboo, Naruto, do you understand? It might potentially change the way people see you, too."

"Why would you think that?" Naruto threw, making a face. "Because you're supposedly a criminal? We're still two separate people, even if I think highly of you. Besides, my private life and my choices are nobody's business if I'm just doing my thing. Why should it diminish my accomplishments?"

Sometimes, Sasuke was amazed by Naruto's simplistic thought pattern, yet he couldn't quite tell if he was very smart or just innocently stupid.

He wished he could simplify things the same way—life would've been so much easier for him.

Still, Sasuke pinched the bridge of his nose, because he felt like he was speaking to a wall. "Don't be so instantly dismissive of what I'm trying to tell you."

He felt like he wanted to trust Naruto's faith, though, even if something inside him yelled that nothing would ever be that easy.

"Listen, all I know is that I want to see you happy and that being with you makes me happy, too," Naruto said, noticing Sasuke's exasperation. "I understand what you're saying, I swear, and I know we don't know anything, and that it's going to be a lot of work, no matter what kind of relationship we're in. But as long as you want to do this with me, that's all I need. Please stop overthinking it."

Lowering his hand, Sasuke stared at Naruto, the words stuck in his throat, and when he finally spoke, it was quieter than before. "I don't know whatthisis," he retorted. "And even if I know what I wantright now, I… I've been living for revenge for so long, Naruto, that it was all I knew. My purpose. My driving force."

Naruto was watching him carefully now, saying nothing. Sasuke swallowed, trying to find the words so he could express himself. "Without it, I don't know who I am or where to go from here. I feel like a blank page, and I don't even know if I will ever have the chance to hope for something to fill it at all…"

"Okay, I need to stop you right there, because I won't let you drown in this sort of bullshit about yourself, because you're the smartest and most resourceful person I know," Naruto interrupted, raising his hand to silence him, yet there was no annoyance behind it. "Also, why do you need to have it all figured out? This is a new start! Can't you just think about things one at a time? Can't you rely on me to help you?"

He huffed, throwing him an exasperated look. "Damn it, Sasuke! It's not likeIhave all figured out, either, least of all now. But I sure as hell am not going to let it stop me from living my life and thinking about good things."

Sasuke scoffed softly, shaking his head, but something in him eased a bit because he knew Naruto was right, to a certain extent. "You make it sound so easy."

"That's because itiseasy," the blond one affirmed, with a firm nod. His eyes sharpened, scrutinizing Sasuke. "Do you want to do this with me or not?"

Again, "this" was something so vague, yet so vast that a simple question like that seemed to not have a proper answer.

"Yes," Sasuke replied regardless, an unexpected breeze seemingly blowing in his heart as he forced himself to say it aloud, simply because it was true.

Even if he felt that he shouldn't, or that there was a chance that he wouldn't be able to, being in Naruto's world was currently the only thing that made sense to him, and the only hope he could hold on to.

"Then just be by my side!" Naruto said, voice almost frustrated, but not in anger—just sheer, stubborn insistence. "Stopthinking about shit. Stop trying to plan everything when it's impossible right now! And more importantly, stop trying to find obstacles and excuses when you were the one who opened the door to this in the first place."

Sasuke blinked. "I didn't exactly do that," he grunted.

Naruto snorted, clearly unimpressed. "Youapproached me about the kiss, and you said you wouldn't run away." His eyes narrowed slightly, teasing but also deadly serious. "You acknowledged there was something between us because you wanted it, too. Then just take it, bastard! I'm right here, and I'm telling you I want you and I'm not going anywhere, and I won't do anything without you."

It was so heartfelt, so heavy, yet genuine at the same time that Sasuke didn't know how to take it without feeling overwhelmed. "And that's enough for you?" he asked softly, even though he knew the answer.

Naruto's gaze burned into him. "You'vealwaysbeen enough for me, so it would do you good to get that through that thick head of yours."

The words hit harder than Sasuke expected as his stomach churned. For some reason, they seemed to have hit Naruto, too, because his eyes widened slightly, and his neck turned red as if he hadn't expected to be so raw about it.

Despite himself, Sasuke felt his own cheeks warming up a little, and he cleared his throat, leaning forward a bit to place his elbow on the table, burying his mouth in the palm of his hand, momentarily stunned into silence.

Strangely, it was as if the whole dynamic between them was summarized by that small sentence and they both knew it.

It was a stunning realization, though, but no less real.

Embarrassed (which was very interesting considering all the things he had said already), Naruto let his body slide a little down the chair as if he wished for the floor to swallow him whole, but he didn't go very far because his feet hit Sasuke's under the table, so he was stuck exchanging a long and awkward gaze with him, teeth buried on his lower lip.

After a few seconds that seemed to stretch for hours, Sasuke looked away to the streets outside, unable to hold that helplessly sincere (and slightly panicked) gaze.

It irked him that he was always so moved by Naruto's little emotional slips.

What could someone do, or say, in the face of something so complex and seemingly irreversible as what they had? Even if some things were only just beginning, others had been present for far too long, and Sasuke had tried running away and severing it all far too many times.

He didn't want to do that now. Sasuke had nothing to lose and everything to gain, and yet all the things that existed between them, both innocent and dark, seemed like far too much, especially for Naruto, who was too far gone to be even remotely sensible about what he was saying or thinking about doing.

Sasuke couldn't blame him since he felt the same way, only he felt obliged to be the voice of reason, ironically, just to keep his best friend out of harm's way.

Even so… that was exactly where Naruto wanted to be, and it was more than a little daunting because that's exactly where Sasuke wanted him.

In the end, theyhadalways been enough for each other.

My one and only…

He worried because there was a lot of darkness there all the same—enrapturing, unknown, unhealthy, darkness that wrapped around them and kept everyone else at bay.

It wasn't an issue for Sasuke, but Naruto wasn't like him—he'd been through so much to be accepted, make friends, and be recognized worldwide, that he shouldn't do this to himself.

This all-consuming need in him was harder to embrace with a clear mind.

"I might break your heart, even without meaning to," Sasuke muttered slowly against his hand. "I'm not sure how to do this without being a mess."

Naruto licked at his lips, pouting a little and shrugging. "You can't do any worse than you already did, Sasuke," Naruto murmured, quietly. "Besides, we're in this together, remember? I'll kick your ass if you ever get out of line again."

Closing his eyes, Sasuke forced himself to exhale. Yes, Naruto would always be there for him no matter what. "Yeah..."

Another moment of silence followed during which Naruto slowly straightened himself properly again. Sasuke felt him picking up his cup and taking a small sip of his tea (which was probably cold by then), and even if his energy was a little anxious, he didn't seem distressed, because his foot still searched for Sasuke's under the table, needing comfort. After all, they were no longer holding hands, and yet the moment called for some closeness.

With a sigh, Sasuke allowed his foot to press against Naruto reassuringly, and instantly his friend's confidence was back.

"If you could choose, right now, how the rest of your life would be… what would you choose?" Naruto eventually asked.

Sasuke didn't answer immediately because this was not something he had contemplated—or even wanted to—but considering all the things they had brought up, it almost felt valid to entertain.

Finally, he looked away from the window and back at his friend. "I would still go to jail to atone for what I did and serve my sentence properly, I guess, but wouldn't want it to be a life sentence, of course."

Naruto's brows furrowed slightly, but he didn't interrupt.

"However, if possible, I would like to still be young by the time I'm released," Sasuke continued, drumming his fingers thoughtfully on the table. "I would like to have enough health and time to do something good in the world and put an end to chaos and social injustice. And I'd still like to be aShinobibecause that's all I know and what makes sense to me."

At this, Naruto smirked at him a bit, something akin to pride lighting up his face. "See? Youdohave dreams and aspirations!"

"It hardly counts as that, I'm just saying what came to mind."

Naruto licked his lips, contemplating something before saying, "Would you want to get married? Have kids and all of that?" When Sasuke blinked in confusion, Naruto gave him an easy grin, but there was curiosity behind his eyes, genuine and unassuming. "I remember you said you wanted to revive your clan."

Sasuke exhaled, shaking his head while making a face of uncertainty.

"I don't know about that," he dismissed, with a vague gesture of his hand. "I didn't meanrevivein the literal sense; I'm not a breeding machine. I meant to bring their story back to life. To find out if there were other Uchiha members out there and so on."

For some reason, Naruto's expression didn't change, and yet, the display of emotions on his face was hard to read, and Sasuke didn't know if this was the answer he expected or not.

"I never really considered marriage or having kids," Sasuke continued, for some reason feeling like he should expand on it. "I was too young when I started thinking about revenge. I honestly don't think I'm suitable for either, as I said, but… thinking about it now, I think I would like to at least have that concept of family that I had with my clan, one way or another."

When Naruto's smile shifted to become softer, understanding, and a little relieved, Sasuke had to wonder what was going through that thick head of his. He had a feeling of what it was, and it made things happen to his body and heart, but it seemed stupid to even think about, let alone project long-term.

"I think all of that is worth fighting for if it makes sense for you," Naruto said, with an approving nod, sounding very mature.

"Can you envision this kind of life?" Sasuke still asked before he could stop himself. "With me, I mean. In Konoha or anywhere else."

The question seemed to catch Naruto off guard as he blinked a few times, but only for the briefest moments because he straightened up his posture, puckering his lips pensively even if it was obvious that the prospect both intimidated and excited him. "I think it sounds nice, yeah," he eventually said, with fake nonchalance.

Somehow it felt different now that he knew Naruto understood things may not go his way and wasn't going to preach to him about Konoha and how for sure everything would work out in the damn village.

Just the fact alone that the blond idiot had been so open about a different life from everything he had ever thought took a weight off Sasuke's heart.

Of course, Sasuke knew it was easier said than done, and Naruto's motivations may change depending on what Sasuke wanted to do when the time came.

He had no intention of taking anything away from Naruto, but it still meant the world to him that the other was at least willing to compromise.

Sasuke had no words to express this, but Naruto simply had to know, deep down, how he felt, otherwise he wouldn't have said it with such simultaneous meaning and levity.

This was why Sasuke couldn't help but push Naruto a little, perhaps because, admittedly, some part of him relished in it.

Supporting his chin on his fist, Sasuke leaned in slightly. "Do you think we would be lovers in this type of scenario?"

His voice had been casual, yet serious, and Naruto's grin faltered slightly at Sasuke's question, his face flashing red, but he didn't look away. Sasuke couldn't help but notice how the whiskered marks on his cheeks seemed to darken.

"Well, I…"Naruto hesitated, scratching his cheek, looking flustered now. "I don't know about thelovers'part… We haven't gotten that far yet for me to know if we'll like it, or want to go down that road, for that matter."

It was funny that Naruto said that when they'd been on each other's faces practically since they woke up, and hehadsaid that they both knew where this was going, but Sasuke knew this was just him trying to downplay a little all the deep things that had been confessed between them and the meaning behind it.

He paused before adding, almost shyly, "It does sound pretty appealing at this point, though. And I guess everything else you said sounds pretty good, too."

Of course.

"You're such an idiot," Sasuke offered, knowing he sounded fond but not particularly caring. "You can't just go with what I'm saying."

Sasuke watched him, waiting, as Naruto stared at him like he had just said something incomprehensible.

"I'm not just going with what you're saying, you know that!" he denied defensively, but confidently. "Do I have to spell it out for you again?"

Sasuke exhaled slowly, tilting his head slightly, gaze never leaving Naruto's. "Because you like me?"

He knew he was teasing because he liked seeing all the stages of Naruto's shifts from confidence to embarrassment and the other way around, and as expected his friend's face reddened intensely again, his entire countenance twisting into something between exasperation and sheer mortification.

"Be quiet, damn it," Naruto muttered, averting his eyes, but it was clear that he didn't know what to do with himself. "You really like embarrassing me, Sasuke, geez."

Despite himself, Sasuke chuckled slightly, deeply enjoying the way Naruto physically squirmed under his words. Even if he reacted like that, the gleam in his eyes betrayed a hint of elation.

Sasuke had never been one to tease like this, to get so easily wrapped in these silly flirting rituals or whatever this was, and yet, he was starting to see the appeal.

He stopped himself for a moment, wondering how he had moved from such darkness and hopelessness to this place of lightness and enjoyment in such a short time.

This place of warmth, companionship, safety, and joy was given to him by Naruto, and he didn't feel like he ever wanted to leave, and yet, that wasn't his choice.

Sasuke's throat felt tight. He hadn't meant to pause, but the words sat heavier in his mouth than he expected.

"I do like you, too."

Sasuke said it simply, not exactly to cause that much of an impact, but to give Naruto something back whichever way he could—some reassurance that, one way or another, they were in this together.

However, he knew it was unmistakably true.

Even if Sasuke's words seemed a little plain in his head, Naruto's head still snapped back so fast that Sasuke thought he might get whiplash.

Naruto's breath hitched, and for a second, Sasuke swore he saw his pupils dilate.

Did he really not expect that?

Then, Naruto's lips parted slightly as if wanted to say something but didn't know how. He blinked once. Then twice. "Whoa…" he exhaled shakily.

There was something so stupidly pure about his reaction, so ridiculously warm that Sasuke almost wanted to recoil. This type of thing was supposed to be embarrassing, and yet, even if it made his heart flutter and created obvious tension between them, Sasuke felt oddly at ease with it.

Still, he couldn't just simply let it sit with Naruto without him adding his personal touch. "Even if you're loud, annoying, idealistic…" he continued smoothly, picking up his tea and taking a sip—itwascold. "And you snore and fart in your sleep."

Well, he couldn't let things get too emotional, could he?

Naruto jerked back so hard his chair almost scraped against the floor, and while Sasuke felt like laughing, he simply raised an eyebrow.

"Hold on, how did we go from that conversation tothis?" he squawked, eyes narrowing in betrayal. "Why are you insulting me?"

"I'm definitely not," Sasuke replied flatly, completely unfazed.

Naruto stared at him, unimpressed, his mouth opening and closing as if he wanted to argue, but no words seemed sufficient to counter whatever this was.

Finally, with an exaggerated huff, he slumped back into his chair, rubbing the side of his neck in annoyance. "You suck at this romance thing, you know that?" he muttered, throwing Sasuke a half-hearted glare.

Sasuke smirked slightly and raised an eyebrow. "Oh, so we've established that that's what we're doing now, huh?"

Naruto scoffed, rolling his eyes, but the corners of his lips twitched upward despite himself. "You started it with the whole lovers' thing," he mumbled, kicking Sasuke's leg gently under the table. "Now saying you like me. I don't know who you are anymore or what you want from me. You're so confusing, bastard."

It was obviously a joke, but Sasuke couldn't find the words to reply, so he simply kicked him back. "I've heard that a million times already."

Sticking his tongue out at him, Naruto then turned his face away to look out the window, his hand tightening around his cup of tea. Sasuke watched his profile openly, appreciating the way the sunlight hit his eyes, something that always made them seem lighter and bluer, almost unrealistically electric.

There was a sort of wild beauty to Naruto that was difficult to describe, in all his messy, carefree nature.

Feeling Sasuke's eyes on him, Naruto all but chewed on his lower lip but didn't move, and yet it was obvious that many things were running through his mind as an odd, heavier tension settled between them.

Sasuke was a mess in these situations, and while he didn't lack confidence, he never knew what to do, but he knew he was fond of every single moment he spent with Naruto regardless of its nature, whether it was beautiful or ugly. These were things he was only just beginning to understand about himself, or perhaps simply embrace.

It wasn't like he knew who he was at this point, either, but he wasn't dissatisfied with his current self. He wasn't exactly a new person because this was familiar to him, but he'd tried to distance himself from his true nature for so long that even his own body felt foreign at times.

Anxiety and uncertainty still clawed at his chest. Knowing that Naruto was all in with whatever became of them was a blessing to Sasuke, but a curse to him, and this made Sasuke's skin crawl.

However, maybe for now, the best thing to do was wait.

Because he had always taken control of everything, had always planned, strategized, always obsessively needing to be two steps ahead, being still wasn't his forte. He hadn't allowed himself to make plans, and yet when confronted with possibilities, he wanted to know what lay beyond.

Still, he had no control and no way of knowing what would happen, how, or even if the outcome was good or bad.

He may or may not be locked away for the rest of his life.

For now, the only real and tangible thing in his life was the present moment—and Naruto.

For all he knew, that could be everything he would have for a long time.

The thought had lingered before, but it landed differently this time. He could feel it now settling, sinking into him, becoming something undeniable.

There was only so much he could do, and it ate at him. Still, even if the conditions weren't ideal, maybe there was a way, even if for a moment…

Sasuke tapped his finger lightly against his cup, exhaling slowly.

He wasn't sure if this was the right time. If there would ever be a right time.

But Naruto had already decided, hadn't he? And for once, Sasuke didn't want to overthink it.

His fingers curled slightly against the ceramic of the cup, his grip tightening just a fraction. Then, he released a slow breath, steadying himself. "I need you to go wait for me in the bathroom next to our room."

Naruto jumped in his seat, looking at him with his brows furrowing slightly. "What for?" he asked, clearly confused.

Sasuke tried to keep his energy controlled to not give anything away, but he knew Naruto would at least be able to sensesomething. "There's something I need to do."

Naruto opened his mouth, hesitated, then closed it. Sasuke knew that look—that mix of suspicion and curiosity that was so exciting for him, and yet it was clear that he had no idea what Sasuke's intent was. Good.

For once, Naruto didn't question him.

Instead, he let out a small, reluctant sigh and pushed himself up from his seat, stretching his arm above his head. "Fine, fine," he muttered, obediently. "But hurry up, will ya? There's only so long I can pretend I'm taking a world-ending shit before the nurses start asking questions."

Sasuke made a face but still snorted. "You're so disgusting, Usuratonkachi."

"But youlikeme," Naruto teased, winking at him before making his way to the door.

He took a few steps before pausing, glancing over his shoulder.

Their eyes met for a fleeting moment—Naruto's filled with questions he didn't voice, and Sasuke's filled with something Naruto probably couldn't yet define.

Then, with a small shake of his head, Naruto disappeared through the door.

Despite himself, Sasuke released a small sigh, smiling to himself.

One step at a time.

He wasn't confident about what he was about to do, but he was doing it anyway.

000

Naruto leaned against the sink, raking a hand through his messy hair with a sharp exhale. Even now, after their conversation, his body buzzed with unspent energy. He had tried to play it cool, but it had been too much—too heavy to process at once.

He had blurted things he hadn't even processed, but the moment they left his mouth, he knew he meant them. As reckless as he was when it came to his best friend, to be confronted with his own emotions and convictions so unexpectedly was surprising even to him.

Sasuke meant everything—more than his dreams, more than the life he thought he wanted. If Sasuke was lost, Naruto would help him find his way. There was no other option.

There was no doubt in Naruto's mind that this would be his choice, always. Nothing made sense unless Sasuke was there—and yeah, maybe it was fucked up, maybe he was too young, too idealistic, but he could live with that.

As long as Sasuke wanted him, too, there would be no regrets.

But, throughout their conversation, Naruto became certain that Sasuke did want him, and he did want to share this journey with him just as much, only he was struggling with his self-worth and what all of this meant to them.

It was only natural. Sasuke's life was being turned upside down—even more so than Naruto's—and he hadn't exactly processed everything that had happened to him yet, let alone have the time to fully embrace the potential of things that seemed so distant, for now.

But Naruto didn't want anything or anyone else, and nothing Sasuke did or said would change that.

He hoped Sasuke understood this.

And hearing his best friend admit that he liked him, too had been…everything.

How could Naruto not be greedy? How could he not fight for this with everything he had, even knowing they were far from any kind of happy ending?

Lowering his head, Naruto stared at his slipper-clad feet, tightening his lips as he felt a fluttering sensation in his chest.

I really do… like that asshole a lot, huh?

It hurt him to think that Sasuke felt so distant from the idea of happiness, even if his heart yearned for it. His wishes weren't impossible, they were simple, honest, and real, and Naruto wanted to make them come true.

Sasuke needed to understand that Naruto's happiness relied on him, too.

A softclickechoed through the small space.

Naruto's head lifted just as the door creaked open and Sasuke slipped inside, slow and deliberate, locking the door behind him with a quiet click.

He didn't speak. His eyes flickered—hesitant? Determined? It was impossible to tell. But Naruto felt it, powerful and inevitable, humming between them like something about to break.

Naruto's fingers gripped the edge of the sink, his body tensing slightly as his friend's energy hit him like a hurricane.

Sasuke opened his mouth as if he was going to say something, yet no word came out, so he shut it, biting his lower lip in frustration.

That look… Naruto knew it too well. Sasuke's emotions were all over the place, chaotic in ways Naruto could feel but not quite interpret, and that unnerved him.

He could swear he understood what the underlying intent was, but he was overcome with doubt.

Was he misreading him?

Sasuke's energy could be so intense, so hard to decipher sometimes that Naruto instinctively felt that he needed to stand on his toes around him at times.

Unexpectedly, Sasuke moved forward, and Naruto's body reacted before his brain could catch up as his hand shot up, pushing against Sasuke's chest to stop him in his tracks.

It didn't exactly work because Sasuke's momentum still brought them too close, their bodies colliding slightly, which made Naruto's breath catch as his brain short-circuited completely.

His palm flattened against Sasuke's chest, but his fingers felt weak as if they weren't sure if they were supposed to push him away or pull him closer.

Sasuke's frown deepened slightly, but he didn't push forward. "What are you doing?" he asked, voice low, controlled, but undeniably impatient, yet looked absurdly handsome despite the yellowish bruises on his face.

He was barely taller than Naruto himself, yet the blond one became aware of their height difference because he had to tilt his head slightly up, his heart slamming into his ribs.

"What areyoudoing?" he blurted back, voice higher than usual, borderline hysterical. "What's happening right now?"

Sasuke leaned back slightly, eyes narrowing as if trying to assess whether Naruto was serious. "I'm going to kiss you," he said, bluntly, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

Naruto's entire brain crashed again—the words hit him like a sledgehammer, sending a wave of shock and panic coursing through his veins all at once.

His entire face burned. "What,now?!"

Sasuke blinked, frowning slightly. " ."

If Naruto hadn't been leaning against the sink, he was sure his legs would've probably given in. "Holy shit, Sasuke, what the fuck…"

Sasuke inhaled sharply through his nose, a mixture of impatience and surprise at his reaction. "You don't want to?"

"Of course I do, I just…" Naruto groaned, dragging his hand over his face because he had not expected his friend to be so stupidly innocent and direct about it, and he didn't know what to do with himself. "You should've justdoneit! Don't fuckingsayit like that!"

"That's what I was going to do, idiot," Sasuke hissed, clearly annoyed now. "But youstoppedme."

Well, you didn't have to be so intense about it!" Naruto yelped, clutching Sasuke's t-shirt. "Who lunges at people like that? What if you were gonna yell at me? Or punch me? Or…"

"Why the hell would I punch you?" Sasuke deadpanned.

"I don't know, Sasuke; you're so unpredictable!"

In one swift motion, Sasuke grabbed his face, effectively silencing him, his fingers were firm but not rough on his jaw, squeezing just enough to grab his attention and hold him still.

"Naruto," Sasuke hissed, his voice was low, a little breathless, and Naruto had no idea if he was nervous or just about to lose his patience completely. "Can you please calm the fuck down and shut up? You're not making this any easier for me."

Swallowing hard, Naruto nodded quickly even though he didn't exactly know why he was complying when he was in such a state of frenzy.

His heart was beating so fast, and his mind was running with stupid things.

Was it going to happen?

He could only imagine what he looked like, gasping this hard and eyes flicking over Sasuke's face in utter defenselessness.

It had felt so easy to push Sasuke's buttons and ask to be kissed, but now that the moment presented itself, he was overwhelmed by the impact of it.

He'd been so full of Sasuke's presence since then that he didn't even idealize anything for it, didn't prepare, mentally or otherwise, and this shouldn't feel as daunting as it did.

Am I even ready for this? I'm so not ready for this! I didn't practice, I didn't brush my teeth, I don't know what to do…

And Sasuke was still looking at him with that intensity of his, his equally uneven breath touching Naruto's face, and yet he seemed to have paused, perhaps to give them both some time to adjust.

There was something in the way Sasuke's gaze flickered across his features that made Naruto's belly burn.

Maybe this wasn't a good idea after all. His breath came too fast, his body was too tense, his hand clutching Sasuke's t-shirt as if it was the only thing keeping him upright.

He wanted it so badly. He had told Sasuke to stop overthinking, and yet that was exactly what he was doing right now.

Then, Sasuke released a slow, steadying breath before his fingers on Naruto's face began moving along his jaw in gentle, deliberate strokes that were meant to calm him down. The careful touch sent a strange shiver down Naruto's spine, and it was something that made his heart pound even harder.

It wasn't the first time they exchanged caresses, and yet it always felt new, even more so now that the lingering tension of awareness was present.

The weight of Sasuke's gaze was too intense, too close, too much—and there was so much running through Naruto's mind, his body, and his heart that he didn't know which one to try and organize first.

"Close your eyes," Sasuke instructed in a whisper.

Naruto swallowed thickly, his throat dry, yet he immediately did as he was told because he genuinely didn't know what else to do.

The moment he let his eyes flutter shut, his other senses heightened instantly, and still, his nerves subsided a little.

Sasuke's breath was warm against his skin, now familiar and comforting and it allowed him to try and find some solace in it.

However, Naruto felt the shift before it happened—the slight lean forward, and the way Sasuke's body pressed more against him.

Naruto inhaled sharply, his fingers twitching at the gentle kiss. He could feel Sasuke's erratic heartbeat against his knuckles, and it made him feel better to know that he wasn't the one feeling a complete disaster about this.

Sasuke kissed him again carefully, just beneath his ear, then along the curve of his cheekbone, featherlight cautious as if they had all the time in the world and weren't in a bathroom where anyone could interrupt them at any moment.

Naruto felt his stomach tighten, his attention was obsessively hyper-focused on every move Sasuke made and all the wonderful, nerve-wracking things it made him feel.

His breath got stuck in his throat as Sasuke placed a small kiss on the corner of his mouth before allowing his lips to hover over Naruto's now, so close that one false movement would dissipate the distance between them.

The moment stretched, almost contemplatively so, and Naruto had to wonder if Sasuke was having second thoughts, and it was fair if he was because Naruto had reacted like an idiot.

Still, the tension was so fragile that Naruto merely waited, frozen in place, torn between doubt, anticipation, and frustration but unable to move because he knew he couldn't ruin this for them. He could feel Sasuke's breath, shallow and uneven, ghosting against his lips. His fingers twitched slightly against Naruto's jaw like he was caught between pulling him in or letting go.

Naruto swallowed. If Sasuke backed out now, he didn't know what he'd do.

The only thing Naruto could think of doing was twist his fist around the fabric of Sasuke's t-shirt and lean his chest against Sasuke's, hoping he would understand and not give up.

Thankfully, it worked because his friend caressed his jaw lightly as if silently reassuring him.

For a few seconds, time seemed to stand still.

When Sasuke wet his lips deliberately, Naruto felt the slow flick of his tongue against his lower one, barely there, yet the contact was unmistakable and made him release a long breath.

And then, Sasuke leaned in before touching his lips to Naruto's. It was so tender, so careful, that he almost didn't register at first.

It wasn't hesitant, or testing. It was intentional and meaningful yet innocent, and it completely floored Naruto because, while he hadn't expected anything or fantasized about anything, he certainly hadn't expectedthis.

Sasuke's body was glued to his, close enough to be intimate, yet not enough to be inappropriate. Regardless, Naruto could still feel all too intensely the delicate caress of his hand and the powerful, yet comforting thrum of his chakra that gave away things that were opposite the sweetness of his action.

Naruto forgot how to move, and how to react. His mind was blank and caught between shock and something he was completely unprepared for.

Sasuke's lips were moist, impossibly soft, warm, and insistent, parting slightly, his movements unpracticed yet deliberate. The first brush was tentative, almost testing—then deeper, surer, making Naruto's head spin.

It was so breathtakingly nice that Naruto had a hard time processing it, too caught off guard to even remember that he was supposed to reciprocate.

Probably feeling his lack of response, Sasuke pulled back just a tiny bit. "Breathe, Naruto," he instructed against his lips, voice low, patient, yet oddly shaken.

How someone like him could sound likethatwas amazing, and Naruto was enraptured. That's when it hit him that this was, indeed, happening.

It was so good, yet Naruto didn't know what overwhelmed him more—Sasuke's gentleness, the perfect, amazing feel of those soft lips on his, or the multitude of things that came crashing down on him all at once that filled him up so unexpectedly, he thought he might combust.

He didn't know what would happen if he responded.

Sasuke was still there, so close Naruto could feel the subtle tremor in his breath, the way his fingers tightened slightly against his face as if he wasn't sure if Naruto was going to bolt or meet him halfway.

He was beginning to tense up in uncertainty, and Naruto knew it was his fault. He wanted to say that he was sorry, that he didn't mean to be this way at such a time, but he was feeling too much.

"Naruto…" Sasuke called out again against him, and the light hint of desperation in his voice sounded foreign. "Kiss me..."

The words caused a violent shiver to run up Naruto's spine—it cleared his mind and moved him without warning.

Did it matter what happened?

A sharp, curling heat coiled inside him insistently. His fingers fumbled for Sasuke's shoulder—clutching, desperate as if grounding himself to reality.

His body moved before his brain could properly process the action as he finally allowed himself to press his mouth against Sasuke's, and suddenly everything seemed to fall into place.

Every ounce of hesitation vanished the second he caught Sasuke's upper lip between his own. The kiss remained slow, unhurried, and innocent, just parted mouths brushing and sliding against each other experimentally, but now Naruto was a part of it, moving with Sasuke and meeting him where he was it felt nothing short of incredible.

Naruto instantly regretted having felt so unsure, and so nervous in the place, because, of course, this would feel as natural and as good as everything else between them.

Sasuke exhaled through his nose, a barely-there sound of something akin to relief. Probably feeling reassured, he allowed his fingers to slide down to the side of Naruto's neck before deepening the kiss just slightly, and the newfound force, the renewed enthusiasm between them, filled Naruto's very soul with something he couldn't explain.

It was so stupidly sweet that it was beyond anything he could've expected. It was everything, yet not enough. It was exactly as it should be, yet the restraint was obvious, or perhaps that's how Naruto felt.

He could feel Sasuke's heartbeat, fast but steady, strong but fragile, was the loveliest and yet most feral feeling in the world.

When they pulled away, their mouths made a small wet sound that made every hair in Naruto's body stand on edge. He felt so hot he was certain he'd pass this fever to Sasuke.

Their lips hovered barely apart, chests rising and falling out of sync. Naruto's eyes fluttered open, and when Sasuke's hazy gaze met his, something ignited between them, but he wasn't exactly ready for how it made him feel.

He could feel Sasuke jolting slightly, probably struck by the same awareness—it made Naruto feel happy, vulnerable, and desperate all at the same time.

What they had and what they wanted… if there had been any doubts about it, they were completely shattered because it had been laid painfully bare for them both to see.

This was what would become of them from now on, and there was no turning back.

His heart pounded, drowning out everything but Sasuke.

There was openness now, tangible electricity humming beneath the skin, the intensity of want and need, and something deeper traveling between them, undeniable and no longer impossible to ignore.

It was suffocating and surprising and made Naruto want to fall apart and stop thinking altogether.

"God…" he breathed, but he didn't sound like himself. All he knew was that he felt like a hungry beast, and he didn't know how to convey the need inside of him at all.

It wasn't a full sentence or even something discernible, and yet Sasuke understood immediately because his expression darkened—beautiful, mismatched eyes narrowing and becoming sharper, something that wasn't exactly dangerous but that was equally intimidating.

However, instead of recoiling, Naruto felt something inside him exploding at the allure.

He had never felt anything like it before, but he knew what it was all too well—his body, his soul, everything was begging for the presence in front of him with the same despair as one needs air to live.

And then something snapped between them, exactly at the same time as Naruto's body lost all sense of restraint, and he knew Sasuke followed suit.

Without thinking, Naruto surged forward, hoisting himself onto the sink in one swift motion. His legs wrapped around Sasuke's waist—instinctive, eager—pulling him in roughly by the wrist until their bodies crashed, his fingers urgently reached out to tangle into the strands of dark hair, tugging Sasuke forward without restraint.

Sasuke barely had time to react because Naruto's mouth collapsed against his, wild and breathless, but it was clear neither cared.

Sasuke's arm curled around Naruto's waist, drawing him in as their mouths moved against each other noisily—clumsy, devoted, and perfect.

Sasuke's body was hard and ruthless, his hold on Naruto painful, but it was also impossibly hot, fitting against his as if every angle had been tailored to lock against him perfectly until nothing else mattered.

Sasuke angled the kiss then, and the moment their tongues met, Naruto's mind short-circuited. He hadn't expected it to feel like this—the languid, teasing caress that sent shivers down his spine. His fingers fisted Sasuke's hair roughly, trying to anchor himself, but it only made him want more.

His very essence seemed to catch fire as their lips fought, tongues brushing in eager, uncoordinated movements. It was heated and wet, a mindless dance at first—way too tentative and exploratory in the middle of that suffocating appetite—but it was quick to escalate into something deeper, something hungrier that had Naruto moaning before he could help himself.

Sasuke tasted like tea, of something clean and so heartbreakingly familiar that it flooded Naruto's heart with yearning and other emotions he couldn't process, as well as filled his veins with pure adrenaline.

Sasuke's tongue searched for his over and over, restless and devouring, and Naruto responded instinctively, chasing the sensation with reckless abandonment. He parted his lips wider, sucking lightly on Sasuke's lower one before licking into his mouth, amazed at how good he felt, completely enraptured by the sound that left his precious person's chest.

Their breathing grew heavier, and Naruto's hand moved to clutch Sasuke's back, pulling him even closer, pressing their bodies together as their tongues tangled, twisting and stroking against each other in fiery, uncoordinated motions that made them gasp way too loudly.

It was so frustrating that they couldn't simply merge, and they sounded so unbelievably lewd that there was a chance people outside could hear, and yet Naruto didn't care.

Because Sasuke wasn't holding back anymore, meeting him just as fiercely as his feelings—his longing—poured out of him like liquid fire, perfectly matching his.

The wet, obscene sounds of their kiss filled the small bathroom, each slick slide of their tongues sending more heat engulfing Naruto's body. His fingers twitched, overwhelmed by how intensely they fit together, how right this felt despite how completely out of control they were.

His whole body felt like it was vibrating, burning, but nothing felt better than the feel of Sasuke's obvious desire matching his.

This wasn't careful anymore. It was raw. Unrestrained.

And Naruto couldn't get enough.

He could feel violent sparks of arousal raking through every nerve of his body, could feel Sasuke's chakra pulsing in return, responding to his.

It was so theirs that it couldn't be anything but ideal.

Then, Sasuke took control as best as he could by kissing him painfully harder—silently echoing Naruto's frustration that they couldn't fuse—as his hand slipped beneath Naruto's t-shirt, fingers brushing burning skin, dragging along the muscles and making Naruto's entire body jolt.

They had touched so many times already, yet it was nothing like this, because Sasuke's touch was felt electrical.

He panted into Sasuke's mouth, his hands gripping the fabric of his friend's t-shirt so tightly his knuckles ached—he knew he was rock-hard at this point, and yet he did nothing to hide it, simply tightening his legs around Sasuke's waist and forcing him forward until their groins were glued together.

His mind was a mess, spinning with sensation because he couldn't believe Sasuke was as excited as he was, and yet the proof wasright there, rigid and firm against him and he loved every second of it.

They had nothing to hide anymore, and it was surreal, but beyond amazing.

Sasuke's lips broke the intense kiss only to drag hungry open-mouthed kisses along Naruto's jaw, then his neck, and all the while, his hand traveled under Naruto's t-shirt, now feeling a path upward along his navel. When fingertips accidentally brushed a far too sensitive nipple, Naruto threw his head back, gasping, the feeling heightened by the sensation of Sasuke's mouth against his pulse.

It was too much, and while Naruto was completely immersed in simply feeling, his restless nature made him search for something—anything—that could help ease his desire.

He couldn't help but eagerly explore, too, hurriedly slipping a hand under Sasuke's clothes, wantonly touching the firm muscles of his back, feeling the soft, yet tough skin, the small dents of scars and bruises that were a painful yet powerful reminder of why they were here.

There was no describing the way touching Sasuke made him feel, because all he knew was that he wanted more.

All of it… Naruto loved all of it, and it didn't cross his mind to think that this probably should feel as natural and guttural as it did.

He had no idea how they hadn't lost balance yet.

Naruto's nails dug into Sasuke's back, and the sharp hiss he earned sent a feverish thrill down his spine.

He could feel the other's heartbeat against his chest, just as erratic as his own.

This was too much and not enough all at once, intoxicating and suffocating.

There was no doubt that the sheer thirst was mutual and that the pull they had—physical, spiritual, and energetic—led them both down the same path.

Their mouths found each other again, lips parting only to gasp before meeting again, tongues brushing, sliding against each other, slick and unrestrained as hands kept moving—gripping, dragging, pulling—because no matter how close they were, it wasn't enough.

Naruto's head tipped back against the mirror with a bit too much force, a shaky gasp escaping his lips in vague shock, forcing him to break the kiss, but before Sasuke could say something, he was already back in the game, leaning forward and attacking Sasuke's throat with open-mouthed kisses.

Sasuke sucked in a sharp breath, his grip tightening at the side of Naruto's body, clenching the skin there as his head tipped back just slightly, exposing more of his neck without meaning to.

Naruto's teeth grazed his pulse, his mouth hot, desperate, sucking just enough for Sasuke's breath to stutter.

Gods, this was addicting.

Everything felt too much, too intense, every nerve in his body alight, burning, tightening, and when Sasuke claimed his lips again, he didn't even realize what was happening until he was already moving.

Instinct taking over, Naruto arched into Sasuke, grinding against him with no shame. A shock of pleasure shot through him, and he let out a rough, careless moan.

Sasuke froze against him for a second, hands tightening against Naruto's body as if trying to steady himself.

He could feel it—Sasuke was just as affected, just as lost, just as helplessly drawn in. His own body responded instinctively, hips moving forward, and the friction was enough to pull an unrestrained, needy moan from his lips, vibrating against Sasuke's mouth before he could even think.

And that was what did it.

Sasuke stiffened against him, the heat between them fracturing in an instant. His breath hitched sharply before he abruptly pulled back, making Naruto lose balance completely.

For a moment, he could still feel the ghost of Sasuke's body pressing into him, could still taste his lips, the sheer electricity between them pumping through his muscles, but then the warmth was gone entirely.

Sasuke took a full step back, completely releasing him, and suddenly, they weren't touching at all.

Naruto's breath came in ragged bursts as he blinked at the space between them, disoriented.

The shift in the atmosphere was jarring as if they had been thrown from one world into another. His body still tingled from the pressure, from the searing heat of Sasuke's hands, from the way their bodies had fit together as if molded for it, and he had a hard time processing the absence of it.

Sasuke inhaled deeply, visibly collecting himself, his expression intense yet unreadable.

"We need to stop," he said firmly, voice lower than usual and still carrying undertones of raw lust, and Naruto could only swallow thickly, gripping the edge of the sink to ground himself.

His skin felt too tight, his head light, and yet, at the same time, he understood Sasuke's reaction—he had to.

He exhaled, nodding automatically, both disappointed and accepting. "Yeah… yeah, okay."

Now that the moment had passed, clarity hit him like a cold wave. They had been right there, on the edge of something neither of them was ready for, neither of them had thought through.

The emotion, the lust had been too overwhelming, and they had nearly lost themselves.

Just how far would they have gone if Sasuke hadn't stopped them?

Naruto let out a breathless laugh, running a shaky hand through his hair. "Well, that went… better than expected, huh?"

Sasuke scoffed softly, shaking his head, his lips twitching just slightly even if his eyes were still too dark, seemingly both lost and hyperaware. "Right."

They stood there for a moment, staring at each other, and Naruto could still feel it all—the lingering fire, the feel of Sasuke's body against his, the tension buzzing between them like a live wire.

And then he noticed it.

The way Sasuke's gaze flickered downward for the briefest second before snapping back up, the tightness of his jaw, the way his fingers curled into a fist at his side. That's when Naruto realized what he was looking at because his eyes were instantly drawn to his friend's crotch, too, only to witness the obvious contour of a very prominent arousal trapped in the confines of his clothes.

Naruto swallowed hard, shifting slightly, only to realize with horror just how affected he still was, too, so he snapped his legs shut on instinct to try and keep whatever was left of his dignity intact.

Shit.

Sasuke heaved a sigh at his reaction, and yet, even in his state of turmoil, he seemed perfectly comfortable with it, not moving a muscle to hide anything about himself.

It was a little daunting, yet fascinating, and for a moment, Naruto understood exactly why the young man before him seemed to be everyone's dream man.

Naruto tried to think of something else, something that would help him calm down, but his brain wasn't cooperating. All he could see was Sasuke's lips, moistened and a little swollen from their kiss, his cheeks still red, and his dark lashes lowered in lingering heat.

He wanted to reach for him again. He wanted to kiss him all over again.

The realization sent a thrill through him.

They wanted this. They wanted each other.

Sasuke seemed to be thinking the same thing because his expression shifted, something flashing behind his eyes—frustration? Annoyance? At himself, at Naruto, at how easily they had lost control? His entire body tensed before he suddenly turned his back to him, facing the door.

Naruto watched as Sasuke inhaled deeply, his back rising and falling in an attempt to regain some semblance of control.

Naruto's chest ached at the sight because it was such a strangely cute thing to do.

Yes, he was very much fucked, he knew that now.

To know that he had this type of effect on Sasuke, too, was the best feeling in the world, and he knew for a fact that he would not let it go for anything.

How could they have ever felt that it wouldn't come down to this?

Out of self-preservation and because he knew Sasuke would probably be upset if he didn't give him space, Naruto didn't move for a couple of minutes, just enough for them both to cool down, away from each other, and get back to normal—or as normal as possible, all things considered.

Once he felt more in control of himself and sensed the tension in Sasuke's body lessening though, he lowered himself from the sink, his movements hesitant, unsure of what to do, or how to process everything he was feeling. Sasuke needed space, but Naruto needed assurance—needed Sasuke to know how he felt and that he wasn't going to back down anymore.

When he looked at Sasuke's rigid stance, at the way he was holding himself together like he was afraid he might unravel if he didn't, he understood that he couldn't stop himself.

If he had felt greedy before, it was nothing compared to what he felt now, that the doors of so many things had been opened before their eyes.

He took a step forward. Then another.

And then, he slowly reached out and connected his chest to Sasuke's shoulder blades.

He pressed his cheek against the back of Sasuke's neck, wrapping his arm around his waist, holding him close as his hand rested on his belly.

Sasuke tensed up for a moment, but he didn't push him away. Slowly, carefully, Naruto felt him exhaling, his muscles relaxing just slightly under his touch.

Naruto closed his eyes, inhaling the faint scent of him, and let it ground him. Their heartbeats were still fast, mismatched, but steady.

He pressed a slow, absent kiss to Sasuke's shoulder, then to the side of his neck, as if needing to reaffirm that this was real, that they were here, that this was happening.

Sasuke's hand moved, covering Naruto's, simply gripping it gently.

After a while, Naruto let out a small sigh. "So, uh…" His voice was quieter than he expected. "Do we… talk about this, too?"

Sasuke was silent for a moment, understanding well the implication behind Naruto's question, but when he spoke, his tone was calm and difficult to interpret. "No."

Naruto frowned slightly but didn't move. "No?"

Sasuke sighed. "It's fine the way it is," he said, carefully. "Talking about it will just make things harder."

Naruto wasn't sure if Sasuke meant this moment, or this thing between them, but… he supposed it didn't matter. Not right now.

Sasuke turned slightly, just enough to place a kiss on Naruto's forehead—light, deliberate. Then, he carefully removed Naruto's arm from around his waist and pulled back enough to glance at him from the corner of his eye. "I'll go first."

Naruto blinked, still dazed. "Huh?"

"Out of the bathroom, idiot. So it's not suspicious," Sasuke retorted, rolling his eyes.

"Oh," Naruto muttered, with an awkward smile. "Okay."

He had almost forgotten where they were and why, and now it made sense that Sasuke chose that place because it was the most unlikely one for them to be seen or heard in such a situation.

After all, Sasuke was very adamant that they protect their privacy, and this was a special moment.

Sasuke took a step toward the door, but Naruto caught his wrist before he could reach for the handle.

Naruto swallowed, his fingers tightening instinctively around Sasuke's wrist, feeling the steady pulse beneath his skin. His voice came out softer than he intended, barely above a whisper. "Is this… a one-time thing?"

It was a stupid question when so many things had been made clear to them, but Sasuke had restrained himself and would probably continue to do so if he thought it was the best course of action, for now.

However, that was not what Naruto wanted, and he tried to express it with his eyes and the firm grasp on Sasuke's wrist.

Thankfully, his friend stilled. His posture remained unreadable, shoulders squared, his usual air of composure slipping back into place, but Naruto could see the way his gaze softened a little. For a moment, he didn't answer, and Naruto felt his own heart pounding erratically, uncertainty creeping in.

Then, Sasuke turned to him.

Without hesitation, he leaned in, pressing a chaste, lingering kiss to Naruto's lips. It was warm, deliberate—so different from the feverish kisses before, yet somehow just as dizzying. It sent another thrill through Naruto's chest, something deep and satisfying, yet still wildly impatient.

When the dark-haired teen pulled back, he met his gaze with something unreadable, yet undeniably resolute. "Not a chance," he murmured.

And just like that, he turned away, smoothly pulling his wrist free from Naruto's fingers and opening the door before slipping through it, disappearing into the hallway without another glance.

Naruto stood there, breathless. The heat of Sasuke's mouth lingered on his skin, his fingers ghosting over his lips.

A giddy, disbelieving laugh bubbled in his throat. He felt warm all over, lightheaded, utterly drunk on the realization that this was real, that Sasuke wanted this just as much as he did. That there was no turning back now.

Not a chance.

His entire body was still burning, flushed, and self-aware, and the moment he shifted, he realized with absolute horror that he was impossibly hard again.

"Fuck me…" whispered, running a hand over his face while trying to shake off the daze. But his lips still tingled, his body still thrummed, and when he let out a choked laugh, he couldn't even pretend it wasn't real. It had happened.

If just one kiss could wreck him like this, he was doomed.

Deep down, he'd known they would end up here—but never this fast, and this overwhelmingly.

Well, they had never exactly half-assed anything, had they?

By God, it felt so damn good, and yet, Naruto knew that Sasuke was right. Overanalyzing it and getting too involved would just make things worse.

Naruto knew this was hopeless—for now. Sooner or later, his heart would break, not because of Sasuke, but because of everything standing in their way.

However, he also knew there would be no way to deny what was binding them together anymore, and that was solace enough to give him hope and strength for what was to come.

They would definitely be fine.

TBC…

---

Notes:

I honestly had other plans for their first kiss but… they had other ideas. As I always say, I write based on the characters' motivations and emotions, so things don't always go as planned. Although, to a certain extent, I do think it was exactly how it had to be.

If I told you how the first version I wrote ended, you'd probably wish I'd posted it instead but… honestly it would've ruined other plans for the story.

Also, Sauske and Naruto WILL talk about other things that we know they need to talk about, but only further down the road. I think they are comfortable establishing something that is a safe place for them at this point, so if they bring up certain things when it's all so raw and uncertain it will not go well. Thankfully, they both know it.
But, well, the time will come.

Anyway, again, I'm sorry if it was a mess! I'll probably have to go back in a few days and do another round of editing and fixing the scenes so they flow better.

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