Sasuke focused on the task at hand.
Eating through a bag of cotton candy.
Naruto brought him to an amusement park of all things. The sounds were loud, the people were varied, and the company was….nice. He couldn't decide if this was a good idea, being out with Naruto, yet here he was. Married, or 'it's complicated' is what he should call it. Out with an unmated man, who makes it obvious he's wanted.
It's nice.
It's also weird.
He wants to go home, actually.
He takes another bite. Naruto is rambling on, and on about something. They're in the food court section of the park. Naruto bought them some sweets, and it's nice.
So nice.
He wants to cry, actually.
So he nods.
He blinks at the right moments.
He reaches out and takes one of Naruto's fries, just to see if he'll say anything else.
Naruto pushes his plate closer to him, without stopping his conversation.
He's good.
Is good better than nice?
The people are loud.
He'd like to be holding Karu's hand right now. Feel his small hands pat his head with too much force which he hasn't learned to control yet.
"Are you okay?" Naruto asks.
Sasuke stares at him. Cotton candy hanging out of his mouth. He quickly eats it, and coughs. "Sure." He replies.
"I asked if you had any designs in mind?"
"For what?"
"Just in general." Naruto leaned back, doing a one shoulder shrug. "I feel like I've been doing most of the talking since I've picked you up. I know I can be a lot for some people, and I didn't ask if you even wanted to come here." Naruto pauses. "Shit, did I make a bad choice bringing you here? We can leave, and go to a coffee shop instead, like originally."
Sasuke smirks while he rambles. "You do talk a lot." He touches Naruto's knee. "I like it. Keep going. Tell me anything you'd like. I could use a distraction."
Naruto lays his hand on top of Sasuke's. "Yeah, I get that, but I'd like to hear from you too. This friendship is a two way street." Naruto squeezes his hand.
Sasuke twists his hand around, and laces their fingers together. Their hands hang under the table together. "This is enough. I'm a simple person when I'm with my friends. I don't give information about myself voluntarily often. Most ask questions to know more about me, and the friendship just grows from there."
"So you're a quiet nerd, who is often adopted by loud folks." Naruto smiles. His thumb caresses the back of Sasuke's hand.
Sasuke returns the smile with a tilt of his head. Hair falling over his eye, so he tucks a strain behind his ear. "I did study economics, so I'll let the nerd comment slide, Uzumaki."
"Uzumaki?" He chuckles delightfully. "I thought we were past that. My name sounds best when you say it." He looks at Sasuke. Warmth in his eyes.
It makes him feel like it's just them in the food court.
Sasuke frowns. Straightening his head, he looks away making Naruto frown.
Naruto says nothing. Choosing to wait on Sasuke.
Naruto's other hand joins. Holding Sasuke in support, and comfort.
Uzumakis like to comfort.
He was no exception.
Sasuke looks back at him. "Why me?" Eyes heavy on his delicate frame.
Naruto clears his throat. "You really want to have this conversation here?" He looks around. Feeling uncomfortable, not wanting other ears to hear this. Yakuza or not. Naruto is a private man with his emotions. Family is usually the one's getting a glimpse at it.
"You've brought me here. You could have taken me anywhere else." Sasuke replies. Itching to take his hand back on principal, but he remains in Naruto's hold.
He feels less anxious than when they first arrived.
They are almost knee to knee.
"You would have followed me anywhere?" Naruto asked.
Sasuke rolls his eyes. "Don't be obtuse."
"You would have." He speaks softly, realizing the truth behind the insult. He blinks. He takes a hand away, and reaches into his pocket.
He pulls out a ring box.
Sasuke's heart stops. He isn't sure if he should panic or not.
Who is this man?
What is this man?
Naruto puts it on the table, and opens it.
It's empty.
Laying a hand on his chest, Sasuke feels relief.
Then a moment later anger. "The fuck, Naruto. What is this bullshit you're putting in front of my face? A ring box is significant, you dobe." Furious heated words leave his mouth. He attempts to snatch his hand away.
Naruto won't let him. "Tell me your perfect ring." Naruto interrupts.
"Wha–? I'm married, Naruto." Sasuke says breathlessly. The yells of riders on the machines grow quieter.
"I'll make it for you because you deserve the best." Naruto puts his other hand back on top of Sasuke's. "You asked me why, and it's because I know you're it. You can't possibly be happy with Kabuto. I just know it. Instinctually, I know it. This isn't some Alpha to Alpha bullshit, just because you rejected me the first time. I want you. All of you. Karu too. Just like this ring, I can build you a home. From the ground up." Naruto licks his lips.
"It's time, Sasuke, and you know it." Naruto says, void of the loving emotions he had a moment ago.
"I have Karu." Sasuke feels fear in his stomach. Acid foaming in the back of his throat.
"He can have my name. I'll put him on my family tree. He will always be safe. I promise. I am a monster, but I am not a monster ." He pleads.
He can hear his heartbeat in his ears.
"I'll make it look believable, or you can give me advice on how you want it to happen."
"He doesn't need to d–." He covers his mouth.
"He will." His gaze was heavy on Sasuke.
Sasuke sees multiple families around them, laughing, crying, and arguing.
But they are together.
His palm feels sweaty, and he's able to slip his hand away from Naruto. He holds his hands together in his lap.
Naruto mimics his posture. "If you stay silent for the next ten seconds, I'm going to take it as a yes."
Sasuke looks at a baby carriage on the table away from them.
"Ten."
Karu was the best child he could have had.
"Nine."
Karu loves Kabuto.
"Eight."
Does he love Kabuto?
"Seven."
He doesn't need Naruto either.
"Six."
He should move out. Live separately from Kabuto.
"Five."
Karu can visit Kabuto on the weekends.
"Four."
He won't get divorced. Too much to lose.
"Three."
Naruto is crazy. He already saw the shit Kyuubi does with Itachi.
"Two."
He hated that cotton candy.
"One."
Who makes shit that sweet?
"Zero."
Naruto stands up. He reaches his hand out to Sasuke.
"Let's go home, Sasuke."
It's not until after Naruto has knotted him, and licks away his salty tears, does it hit him of what he's done.
Author's Note: Thanks for reading, please comment if you have a favorite part or enjoy the story!