Ch 11 part 1: Opening Up: The Sasuke Effect
The moon sat high in the sky, the stars beckoning to him through the wide clear glass ceiling. The night sky was calming, and Sasuke found himself taking slow deep breathes.
In.
He would Inhale deeply.
Out.
Exhaling it all in a cleansingwhoosh.
His eyes opened slowly, eyelashes fluttering as shinning green orbs sparkled back to the stars as a greeting. His lips forming a soft smile as he thought about what was fast approaching. His face burned a succulent pink in the mist of green, and pale sage finger tips glided along the apples of his warm cheeks.
Mother Gaia, he makes me...
Sasuke found himself shifting, turning in his round maroon nest like bed, his body curving with the frame. His green arms hugged a fluffy pillow close, his nose taking a deep inhale once more. His mind started to think about many things, scenarios plagued him consistently as he shifting in the sheets, now for a different reason.
He thought about how it would be to have Naruto's scent all over his sheets. How it would feel to have his lingering warmth. How it would feel to be holding him instead of his pillow. He started to wonder what those muscles would feel like under his head, under his fingertips, bare skin to bare skin.
The last thought made him release a squeak of embarrassment before shoving his face even deeper in the pillow.
It was the night before Sasuke's first official date, and he is quite embarrassed to admit that he had been contemplating(more like gushing in his journal)about how this date would go.
He previously tried to get hints from Naruto, but the man was surprisingly really good at keeping the date details a secret.
"It's important Sasuke!"
That had been the usual response he would get, but the last time Sasuke had tried, he got something a little different.
Progress...
"I promise, you will like it. I just want to show you how much you mean to me."
Yeah...
That last statement caused Sasuke's heart to flutter embarrassingly loud in the middle of the crowded and slightly musky college hallway at the time. His heart still fluttered wildly as he replayed the moment in the dark of his room.
But now, there was no more time to pester, and he was no longer days away in that school hallway.
It was now officially Saturday.
Also listed in Sasuke's journal/calendar asMother-Gaia-it's-really-happening-Day.
"It looks amazing outside Sasuke! It's like Mother Gaia is rooting for you!"
Sasuke was nestled deep in his fluffy sheets pretending to sleep as his Mother came in like a loud momma bird greeting the day. His mother was twirling around his room with a wide, all knowing smile, as she opened each of the curtains one by one, letting in vibrant rays of sunshine.
Sasuke was getting an intense feeling of deja vu.
"Mommmm, 5 more minutes, please~." Sasuke could feel his messy bun flopping all over his slightly sweaty face from the night of tossing and turning and half nonsensical scribbling"what if"scenarios all over his journal. His hand wiped along one side of his face, trying to expel the sleep from them to be met with a slightly wet crease from the corner of his mouth.
Ew.
The request was met with an over the top, and exasperated gasp as if his mother had never heard of such a request before.
"Five more minutes! Sasuke, your man will be here any minute now!"
Sasuke couldn't stop the small smirk from peeking through at that thought, that he now had a...
Man. A good man. My Man.
"I see that grin! Ahhhhh- Mother Gaia, my precious little tomato is now all grown up, and thinking about sex-"
His mother made her way to Sasuke, who tended to sleep naked in his room. His room and his meadow were one of the few places Sasuke found himself feeling the most comfortable to allow himself to embrace all his weird faerie tendencies. And one of those tendencies is the need to feel free and unconfined.
She placed his white robe over his shoulders before turning to give him privacy to dress.
"Woah, woah, woah! Sex is definitely not on the table. Well, not yet at least." Sasuke replied as he closed his robe, tying it tightly as his mother gave a giggle at his growing red face.
"And why not? Don't tell me you don't find him attractive. We both know that you are very careful and super picky." She said as she gave Sasuke's cheek a playful poke, before grabbing her bag of their toiletries, such as bath soaps and salts, and soft, bouncy bathing sponges.
"Let's see, someone who treats me amazing, a gorgeous smile, big muscular arms..." Sasuke found himself spilling, his lips in a fond smile as he grabbed a few more things that his mother always seemed to forget, like towels and clean tunics to put on after. Sasuke never want to repeat having to walk through the haven butt naked every again in his life.
"Oh Tomato, he sounds divine." His mother crooned, as she linked her arm around Sasuke's arm, pulling him towards one of the many pulling systems that circled their haven to allow them to make their way down to the ground safely.
Sure, they could have taken the branches down, but as his mother always said, 'nobody got time for that.'
The two made it down the pulling system, grabbing a few apples to munch on as they descended, before making their way through the haven's many little walk ways. Taking a deep lungful of crisp air, Sasuke found himself feeling quite thankful that not many people where out this morning.
He would grumble that he did have more time, and that Naruto wouldn't even be here for at least 3 or 4 hours, but the smile that was on his mother's face made Sasuke smile as well. Her smile always seemed to worm its way into Sasuke's heart, causing his lips to do the same.
Who needs sleep anyway?
Finishing their apples on their journey, they tossed the remains of the apple core into one of their many bins before saving the seeds in one of their pouches.
The two settled down at their usual spot. The steam billowed around them, the sound of lapping water was quite inviting, in their secluded hot spring that had a small jutting waterfall. Sasuke was always grateful that his mother just knew what he needed.
He didn't have to say, take me to the one all the way in the back, the one that not many liked to go to because it wasn't as big. He didn't need to say that it was his favorite because of the many thick bushes and trees that circled the steamy pools of water, giving a sense of privacy.
His Mother just knew.
The two separated in the mist of their own routine. Sasuke enjoying a good rinsing before gathering his salts for a gentle scrub. He tended to not do this step often due to a faerie's skin being already quite delicate, but today was special. The two found themselves chatting as they scrubbed and cleaned, rinsing and laughing as they went.
If anyone were to ask, Sasuke would blame the steam, or the fact that his mother's gentle foamy fingers were running from his scalp to his ends while washing his luscious strands. The action making him quite relaxed and talkative.
It was not because he was excited about his date with Naruto.
It was not because he was nervous but also excite to see where the Dobe was taking him.
And it was definitely not because he wanted to experience kissing him again.
Nope, none of those things at all.
Liar.
"So you kissed him?! I'm so shocked, Tomato."
"I know! I know! I shocked myself too. I guess I just let the whole thing about that girl liking him affected me. Before I knew it, I was kissing him. Wanting to- I don't know."
Sasuke found himself giving a shrug, as his mother gathered his long hair into a ridiculous soapy faux hawk.
My hair is getting pretty long. I will need a cut soon.
"You're definitely your Father's child, trying to stake your claim on your partner."
"No way- I wasn't trying to do that. I don't think- uh."
Was I?
"Oh you definitely was. And that's okay! You liked him, and you wanted to express that. Plus, it worked out in the end, the feeling was mutual, was it not?"
"Yeah, I guess you're right."
"But most importantly... was he a good kisser?" Her hands landed on his shoulder with a pause, before turning him towards her with a smirk.
"Oh Mother Gaia." Sasuke gave an exasperated eye roll to the heavens, his lips releasing an involuntary giggle.
"Whatttt! I just wanted to know! But your bright red face says it all. Boy must got major skills." His Mother said with a wiggle from her eyebrows before cackling, her fingers rinsing out the suds in his past shoulder length strands.
"Kill me now."
"Hey! None of that. You have a date to get too, and I refuse to explain to that young man, that he can't go out with my son because my darling dramatictomatohas decided to drown himself." She said with a splash in his direction, causing Sasuke to release a sputter in surprise.
"I'm so proud of the man you have become." She said suddenly, her pale green fingers, shifting some of the wet hair out of Sasuke's face(which was her doing). Her eyes were just like his own, shining brightly with deep affection, causing Sasuke's once squinted glaring eyes to open up, to shine as well.
"Really?"
He saw her lift a wide tooth wooden comb, her fingers holding the tool to rake slowly through his wet strands. She gave a giggle, her lips quirked in one of her silly smiles, the image making Sasuke turn away as his eyes began to prick.
"Salum! Your Father and I are so proud of you. We love you so much, and to see you grow and smile again so freely. It makes us so happy to call you ours." She said as she placed the comb down on a hot stone, her fingers running along strands to help detangle the wild wet strands.
"I was worried that-" Sasuke could feel a lump forming in his throat, the words hard to release.
"What?" Mikoto's fingers pausing in their endeavors at the pitch and breath change of her seedling.
Sasuke wasn't sure if he wanted to bring it up. The bloom of passage had always been a touchy subject in the Uchiha house, after the incident with Sasuke unfolded.
"Sasuke, honey. You know you can always talk to me about anything, truly,sacred bloom."
Her voice was so warm and understanding. Sasuke started to feel droplets glide along his cheeks. He had hoped his Mother would see them as moisture from the water, but he should have known better.
"Oh no. Don't cry." Her hands gliding along his hair, before her arms wrapped around him holding her treasure close. Her face buried in wet strands as her body swayed the two in the hopes of soothing her youngest seedling.
His mother had always been observant, but even more so after the bloom of passage. She was always watching, always checking in. She would come to check on him some nights, and somehow those nights were always the ones were he would need someone the most.
Sasuke would always look at her, finding himself asking in a soft broken whisper, "how did you know" and she would always answer with one of the sweetest smiles imaginable, "A mother just knows." Sasuke was starting to think that his mother had developed some type of power, and if she wasn't still blooming, he would actually think she had.
But in the present, Sasuke found himself gulping, trying to wiggle words out of his emotionally drenched covered throat.
"I just always thought that you and Father were... disappointed in me." Sasuke found himself gnawing at his bottom lip, his frame starting to tremble as he recalled it all. The last of the sentence releasing from him in a soft whisper.
"Never." She says with so much fire that Sasuke found himself feeling whole. Once again thawing under his mother's loving embrace.
"I didn't do the Bloom of Passage ceremony- I embarrassed you guys and we almost got kicked out of the haven- the only saving grace was that no one used their-"
All of his worries, his insecurities, all the questions that had once laid dormant were now spilling out of him. All of them releasing and hoping to be laid to rest once and for all.
"Hey- My sweet tomato! Listen to me. That's it, deep breathes." Sasuke didn't even realize that the words spilling from him were tumbling towards hysteria. He found himself taking a deep breath, and another, and another, his hands anchoring to his mother's leaner smaller hands.
"Never." The words echoed in the silence, almost sounding louder than the stream to Sasuke's ears.
"You are and will never be seen as an embarrassment to us. We were so glad to stand by you. Proud to have a seedling that is as strong as you. Personally, I really wanted to kick Ruth and that other bitch's asses." His mother said the last sentence in his ear as if she was telling Sasuke a secret.
Sasuke found himself letting out a loud snort. He could hear his mother's growl in his ear, her hands once again in his hair, detangling wet strands.
Why am I not surprised?
"What? It's true. Actually I also wanted to kick that guy's ass- the one who was shoving that potion down your throat- Fucker- but I promised your Father that I would leavethatto him."
"Father didn't use his-"
"No, no, no. He simply used his words, but words were plenty." Her grin growing a bit wide with a hint of manic.
"Is that why every time he sees one of us, he starts running."
"Yes! It's honestly hilarious, seeing his stupid little waddle away, always makes my day." Her tone was buzzing with a hum, as if she was singing a song.
"I don't know what your Father said or possibly did, but he sure put the fear of Gaia in him." His mother's voice sounding warm and light, as if she was talking about flowers instead of revenge.
The warmth was spreading through him as his hair was rung dry with a small soft towel.
"So just to confirm-"
"We are not mad or disappointed in you Sasuke. You were never in the wrong in that situation. You are your own person, and you made the best decisions for yourself."
"But you and Dad-"
"I know- your Father and I met that way, but that doesn't mean that its the same for our children or that it's the only way to find someone special. We support you, no matter what you decide."
A new feeling was joining in his current warmth. It was light as a feather, his fears, guilt and anxieties were now weightless, dropping away from his shoulders. He was now finally free from the last thing that was holding him down.
"If anyone should apologize it should be us-"
"Not this again. Please don't start crying and apologizing. You and Dad were like that for a whole two weeks after that incident. I know that going full on faerie is taxing on the body, but you have nothing to be sorry for."
Sasuke recalled the long fangs jutting from their lips, eyes slitted like a cat, glowing intensely green with a dark center. He recalled how their hair seemed to grow even larger, puffing up like a mane on a lion.
The reaction was something faeries didn't do often, only when they were in deep distress or heavy in negative emotion. Most faeries hated that side, because it felt like it was the furtherest thing from Mother Gaia.
Sure, Mother Gaia was all about sweetness, peacefulness, and love, but there was always a deep darkness that was reserved for the destruction of her creations.
She is a beckon of light and prosperity, but she also can be harsh and violent like the roaring of her waves or lightning striking the ground. Just as it is in faerie's nature as well.
But the draw back with going into full faerie mode, most calling the actsavage faerieordark faeriemode, was that you tended to feel not quite right the following days. Some experience feeling sick, lightheaded, drained, dizzy. Some tend to get overly emotional, so emotional that the inside of them feel like a raging storm that will never end. Some even slip into a coma for a short period, or end up bed ridden. Not eating, feeling sick, not being able to think properly, there were so many open ended traits when it came to the side effects.
"It's just, we're your parents, we should have protected you better-"
"You did your best, both you and Dad. I am thankful that I have you two as my parents." Sasuke reached his hand back where his Mother's hands were laced in his hair. He gave her hand a squeeze in encouragement, pretending to not hear the choked sob that sounded behind him.
"And I am blessed, truly blessedlike the sunthat I have you to call my treasure every single day."
"I love you mom."
"I love you too, my little tomato." She said with wet eyes, leaving a kiss in his wet hair.
"We should probably get going. Don't want you to be late for your date." Her fingers picking up in pace as she finished giving him a loose French braid to allow his hair to dry.
Sasuke could hear footsteps. They weren't very many or loud, and it seemed that a small group had settled in a near by pool, but Sasuke appreciated his Mother in that moment.
She must have heard them and decided that we needed to leave, so I wouldn't feel uncomfortable.
It felt like she was always thinking of Sasuke, and the realization made him feel warm like the sun, and accepted. He felt seen, and alive in that moment.
"I still have plenty of time." Sasuke found himself saying, even though he was already making his way towards the edging of the pool, where his towel laid.
She's such a good mom.
"I know, I just- I was so excited and wanted to spend time with you to make sure you were ready."
"I'm ready. Nervous, but ready. Naruto- he makes me feel comfortable." Sasuke grabbed his towel quickly, drying his body with a soft smile.
"Good. When you first told me about him, I knew he was a keeper. I can't wait to meet him." She said the last sentence in a sing song like tone, her hands wrapping her towel around her dripping body, forgoing her clean tunic.
"Hn." Sasuke hummed in response, his body half dry, as his eyes moved around their set up to locate his own clean tunic.
"So...Dating... did I say that right? Whatever it's called, I like it. We don't really do much dating around here, do we? We're always just slutting it up." Mikoto giggled as she passed the clean pale blue and gold tunic to Sasuke before turning to give her son some privacy.
"Mom!" Sasuke found himself chuckling as he draped the long flowing fabric over his clean smooth skin.
"Don't tell Itachi, but I think you might have influenced him. He's been seeming- I don't know different lately. Maybe more serious..." Her voice trailing off as if she was trying to figure out exactly what was so different in her oldest son.
"He's always been like that though."
"No, he feels different. You know that Itachi has always been a bit of a free bird, but lately he's been only focusing on training, working, and coming home."
That's true.
Sasuke has noticed the slight change in his brother, but since he seemed happy enough, he didn't think to question the behavior. Sasuke had always remembered his brother having many partners, he never really went out seeking many of them, most making their intentions known to him.
Itachi was always seen as quite popular, and many thought that once Sasuke became of age, he would be just as popular. But Sasuke was so much more different than Itachi.
Itachi didn't have blooming capabilities. At one point he did, he remembered Itachi blooming only once before he no longer bloomed again. His genetics chart changing and plunging toward the masculine side, which had its on set of problems and rules entirely.
"I'm sure he's fine Mom."
Is there actually something wrong with Itachi? Should I talk to him?
~ . ~
The sigh that was released from Sasuke was so loaded that even the flowers and trees in the vicinity seemed to sigh along with him.
"No way."
"But Tomato-"
"Nah uh."
"But Itachi got to meet him!"
Mikoto looked more like a child than the parent at that moment. Sasuke couldn't help but laugh as he saw his Mother pointing to a unfazed Itachi who briefly looked up before dropping his head back down, burying his nose in a book.
"I agree with your Mother, I don't think it's fair that Itachi got to meet your partner but your own parents can't." Fugaku wasn't looking any better, his arms folded with his lower lip slightly jutted out. Sasuke can honestly say that he hasneverseen his Father make such a face.
"It makes no sense." Mikoto chimed in, hands on her hips.
"Yes, yes, it lacks logic." Fugaku said nodding along side her.
"You are not coming with me on my date." Sasuke winced at the slight hysterical tone, but he found himself glaring a moment later at Deidara and Itachi snickering over in the tree lines.
"Deidara actually met him first." Itachi said nonchalantly, his eyes still nestled in his book.
Why Nissan!
"What?"
He just had to stir the pot.
"Ughhh."
All Sasuke could do was flop his head into his hands. His finger tips rubbing along his eye lids and forehead to soothe some of the tension there. He knew his family was just curious but his anxiety, about this being his first "date", was through the roof.
"I really don't think I can handle you all coming on my date with me."
"We just want to meet the boy. We don't want to hover the whole time."
"That's right. I just want to see him."
"You will meet him... one day. When the time is right."
Sasuke didn't know what it was that made them finally relent. Was it how exasperated his words fell, or was it how his hands seemed to constantly wring themselves in nervousness.
"We get it Sasuke."
"Yes, we do. Sorry, son, if we made you feel anxious. That was not our intent."
"I know."
And Sasuke did know. He knew that they were not coming from a place of malice or ill intentions. He knew that they were coming from a place of protectiveness and love.
"We just want you to be happy, honey." His mother's warm arms wrapped around him in an embrace, and he found himself releasing all of his anxieties.
"I'm sure you're going to have a lovely time." His mother whispered in his ear sweetly, making Sasuke's lip break into a small smile. Sasuke may have been nervous but underneath all those nerves, sat a much more prominent and deeper emotion.
"Thank you. All of you."
An emotion that he hadn't felt in a long time. One that seemed to color his childhood before he tried to step into the world of humans at that park.
"I should go."
Sasuke said softly, not bothering to speak any louder. Step by step, his feet began to carry him towards the opposite direction of his family, his brother, and his confidant and best friend. His feet carrying him to something new, to someone who made his heart pound and his palms sweaty.
"You guys can watch from the tree lines if you want. Just don't cause attention to yourselves and... don't embarrass me." Sasuke wasn't sure if that was the right decision or not, but he could hear the prominent excitement at his exit in the forms of giggles from his Mother, and the pleased hum from his Father.
Shifting as Sasuke broke through the thick trees, the sun was just started to move towards the center of the sky, and he saw something that made him feel breathless. There he stood, Naruto dressed in dark jeans, a burnt orange polo shirt and clean bright white tennis shoes.
Though he looked quite dashing, the thought of Naruto dressing up for him, made Sasuke heart pound something fierce, but that wasn't what made Sasuke feel breathless. It was sparkling blue eyes taking him in.
"Sasuke!"
Sasuke knew exactly what that one emotion was, it was crystal clear in that moment.
"Naruto."
It wasoverwhelming excitement.
~ . ~
"Scoot over I can't see."
"Ow- You've already seen him."
"Yeah, but I've never seen them together."
"Well me neither- watch your damn elbows-"
"Tch."
"Children, shush or they will hear you." Fugaku easily scolded, his lips twitching in a smirk as he watched his son smile at the man in question.
"Am I too late?" Norelle called softly, coming towards the group quickly from the thick tree lines.
"Nope, you're just in time." Mikoto said with a mischievous grin, scooting over to give Norelle room to wiggle into their little hiding place.
"Wow." Norelle gasped as she took in the scene.
"Right. He's hot for a human." Deidara chimed in with an all knowing tone.
"Otuto looks better."
"He is very handsome." Mikoto agreed with a nod, as she gave a little giggle at the face her son made in their direction.
"He is, but I was talking about Sasuke. I don't think I've ever seen him so... so..." Norelle said with a soft smile, her eyes growing shiny under the gaze.
"Happy." Fugaku said smoothly as he continued to watch the blond man in question. He was tall, close to his own height, and the way he wrapped Sasuke into his arms in greeting made Mikoto give a happy little dance as she bounced on her toes.
"Hm."
"I love seeing my little tomato this way." Mikoto said as she leaned against Fugaku's tall frame, pink and green skin mingling in their close and intimate embrace.
"Me too." Fugaku said with a hum as he watched the two men talk, though Fugaku could hear every single word that was being said, he found himself instead listening to tones, the inflections as the two conversed.
He could hear lingering nervousness, slight shaking in their speech patterns. He could hear excitement, the way some words became almost breathless, syllables vibrating with intensity. But most importantly...
"Fugaku... do you think Sasuke will be okay?"
He could see and hear the level of care between the two. He could hear the affection dripping in every single look, glance, vowel and cadence. He could hear the deep devotion loud and clear.
Fugaku couldn't lie, it felt like a shock to his system to hear how open Sasuke was with this human. Part of him wanted to come out of the tree lines and pull his son back towards the haven, where it was safe.
But the haven isn't even safe.
That's right.
Fugaku found himself recalling one of the most monumental and hardest moments of his fatherhood- hell, of his life. He recalled how Sasuke looked as he trembled in his mother's arms, eyes begging to save him. Fugaku could recall the full day Sasuke slept, plagued with night terrors as the potion worked its way out of his system.
Fugaku felt like such a failure as a Father, his son laid trembling, eyes sleep shut but rimmed with tears as he cried and begged for someone to save him. Asked why no one cared for him? Why no one wanted him the way he was?
Fuck...
Fugaku didn't curse often, but the situation he was in, caused for it. It was painful to watch his son choke back sobs, not being able to wake from his potion-ed nightmares.
Mikoto tears and sobs through the night as she held Sasuke's hand was quiet but choked. Though she silenced the sounds, the shaking of her body was gut wrenching and so intense that it was almost violent.
Fugaku realized that he not only failed as a Father but as a Mate too. He failed them all, and felt that no matter how much he begged or pleaded for forgiveness, he knew deep in his heart he didn't deserve it. He couldn't allow himself to ever receive it.
Instead of focusing on his guilt though, he promised himself that he would protect them, all of them, including Norelle and Deidara who seemed to have wiggled their way into their family. He didn't mind, those two more than earned their place with the Uchiha's, especially Deidara.
Now he was witnessing his son, the same son who he couldn't protect, go out into the great unknown with a human he hadn't properly met. It was the same nervousness he felt when Sasuke came to them stating that he wanted to go to college with the humans.
But...
Though Fugaku was nervous, he trusted Sasuke more than himself to make the best decisions for himself. He had always silently admired that both of his son's had good heads on their shoulders.
They didn't bow to peer pressures or the need to fit into a faerie norm. They did what they wanted to do, and knew that they always had the families support behind them, even if it pissed off the haven.
He will never make that mistake again. He will always choose his families well being and happiness first.
Always.
"I'm worried too, my love, but Sasuke deserves to be happy, to feel the love that we have. Doesn't he?"
"You're right. Of course you're right."
"I trust him." Fugaku found himself saying with a reassured nod, as he continued to watch the scene before him unfold, before taking in his mate's warm affectionate gaze.
"I do too."
"Then let's not spend our times worrying about something that might never happen. Instead let's celebrate for Sasuke."
It felt as if they were redoing Sasuke'sBloom of Passage,the right way.
"Mom are you going to make your famous stuffed figs-" Deidara said with a lick of his lips, while rubbing his stomach.
"She's not your mom, she's my mom." Itachi elbowed Deidara in the arm causing him to groan before the fire faerie retaliated with tripping the long haired Uchiha.
Flop
Fugaku couldn't keep the small chuckle from escaping him, seeing his eldest son flopped on the forest floor, hair wild with leaves and wearing his ever present blank expression.
"Children please. Itachi stop it." Mikoto said with a playful scowl in Itachi's direction before giving Deidara a wink.
"He's right. I'm a Mother to all of you." She said with a smile as she passed each of them, with a sweet caress on the cheek. Deidara, Itachi, and Norelle each giving her a smile of adoration.
"My sweet cherubs. Let's go home."
Fugaku couldn't stop smiling as he watched Mikoto link arms with Norelle, the two skipping away towards the direction of the haven. Deidara sticking his tongue out at Itachi who simply rolled his eyes, but couldn't hide the small twitch of his lips, as he dusted himself off before walking behind the rest of them.
This is my family.
Looking back, he saw the two men still embracing, Sasuke leaning along the man's chest, eyes closed in content. The two separated slowly, as if they didn't want to part. The human opened the door for Sasuke, helping him into the car before making his way to the driver's seat.
I guess we are adding one more.
"Be safe, Sasuke."
~ . ~
It's Christmas!
Well...
Okay, that's a lie, it's not actually Christmas.
Huff. Whatever.
But it sure felt like he was a kid opening a present from Santa Claus on Christmas morning.
Naruto couldn't stop the shaking of excitement. He was nervous, sure. I mean, of course he was nervous.
It took several days just to get Sasuke to talk to him, and even several months to get to this point.
But I made it! Believe it!
Naruto thought with a smug smirk giving himself a fist pump.
That's right. He was finally getting to be something even more with Sasuke. His body was vibrating with anticipation but also expectation.
He could barely get any sleep the night before. When he pulled into his usual spot, his spot, that he has officially named it, he couldn't stop his hands from shaking. Taking a deep breath, he reminded himself that this was Sasuke.
Sasuke... my Sasuke is special.
Sure, this was his first date with a man and a faerie at that, but what madethis datefeel so different.
He was trying to pinpoint exactly why he was so nervous, as he made his way out of the car, when it suddenly hit him like he had being run over by a freight train.
"Sasuke!" His lips were moving before he could even gather himself or his thoughts.
He was nervous because he had never felt like this before. Just seeing Sasuke before him, wearing a loose short sleeved button down that was a soft lavender color with black buttons, his black jeans lining his body in a way that made Naruto feel like he was going to swallow his tongue.
"Kami"
He mumbled heavily under his breath the word dripping with unadulterated longing, his heart rate was speeding up, and he was sure that he looked a little insane. But that was the Sasuke effect, he was positive that it wasthis faeriesdoing.
"Naruto." The way Sasuke said his name, made the blond man's ears tinge red, his lips forming a smile that was not only charmed but affectionate.
I can't control myself around you.
Naruto was really experiencing something new for the first time. The sensation made him gulp and his palms a bit sweaty.
This was new territory.
Experiencing something that he never once really thought about.
Naruto thought he knew love, thought he knew what dating was, but at that moment he realized that Sasuke wasn't the only one, out of the two of them, who was clueless.
"I've missed you." Naruto was on autopilot, casually wiping the bit of sweat from his hands on to his jeans, hoping it wasn't too noticeable.
His limbs circling around a waist that was more smaller than he realized. He always knew Sasuke was lean, but getting to hold him close and hug him in such a loose fitted, but flowing shirt, made him realize how compact his waist was.
"You just saw me yesterday,Dobe." Sasuke said with an eye roll, his lips twitching. Naruto was pretty sure he was giving over grown pupper vibes, a golden retriever act at its finest, but he didn't care.
"Don't be mean,Teme.It's our first date, you know." Naruto said as he gave a playful nuzzle in dark strands, before giving the raven haired man a deep overdramatic pout.
"I know, and it won't be our last." Sasuke reassured, his eyes fierce and determined, and if Naruto looked hard enough he could almost see the slight green glow. It made him yearn to see his Sasuke in his base form, his most comfortable form.
The two felt a spark in the air, zinging between them as their breath mingled. Naruto didn't realize when the two of them got so close.
Who leaned in first? Who conquered the distance? Sasuke tongue glided along his own lips, the pink wet organ peeking through causing Naruto's brain to short circuit. His mouth was hungry for a taste.
"We should go." Sasuke said as he turned his head.
"Yeah." That's all Naruto had in him at that moment. His mind was fuzzy and he felt like he was floating on air. He was a man possessed, and he wanted to devour something, needed to taste something on his tongue or he might go insane.
Naruto gave Sasuke's hair one final nuzzle before his hands released him. Hands once placed on a warm lower back now empty and cold with nothing to hold.
Naruto was sure that his lips were jutted out in a pout as he backed away slowly. Everything inside of him was screaming to taste, to claim the lips that were not even a centimeter away from his own a mere second ago.
But he didn't.
He wanted to give Sasuke the proper first date experience and the proper respect that the usual experience came with.
So he gave himself a shake and a proper internal scolding before helping his lovely date into his car. Making his way around, he found himself smiling, a big toothy grin that didn't want to be covered.
As he sat, he heard Sasuke sigh beside him.
"Everything okay?"
"Yeah, I'm just glad they're gone." Sasuke said with a nod, his fingers bringing the seat belt around him.
Click.
"Who? What?" Naruto found himself looking around wildly, giving himself whiplash.
"My family- well specifically my parents. Uh- they wanted to meet you. I told them no, but that they can see you from the tree lines."
"What?!"
"Yeah. It sounds like they like you too."
"They do?"
"Yeah, so don't freak out. Okay?" Sasuke gave a small grin, his lips looking warm and pink under the approaching sun light. Sasuke gave his head a tilt, and Naruto had to give himself a shake once he realized he had once again started staring at Sasuke's lips.
Naruto was trying to calm his racing heart, as his mind tried to remember what he had done just minutes ago. He only hugged Sasuke but he did have his hands on his lower back, which would be considered inappropriate, right?
"Naru, relax. I promise its okay."
"Thanks Sas. I needed that."
"Did we just nickname each other."
"I think we did."
The two chuckled, Naruto momentarily transfixed at the sound of Sasuke's rich and sweet laughter.
I love this sound.
Naruto found himself melting, relaxing, as his fingers reached and secured his own seat belt before giving the car it's usually start. The engine purred to life, and Naruto gave Sasuke one last glance before pulling out of his spot.
"So... they want to meet me?"
"Yeah. My mom even woke me up several hours before you were even thinking about getting up to "help get me ready", stating that today was a big day. She was so excited, you would think she was the one going on a date."
"Your mom sounds fun."
"She is. You would like her, she like a burst of energy. She is a bit fiery too. She says that it comes from the fire faerie genes in her genetic makeup."
"Yeah, I remember you telling me that she stood up for you at that shitty school."
"Oh, she wreaked havoc on that school. At the time I was so embarrassed, I wanted her to just stop. But now, I'm grateful, I know it was coming from a place of love, and her wanting to protect me."
"What's your dad like? You did say he was a fire faerie, right?"
"Yeah, he is. He's actually very cool and collected like Itachi. He's more of a quiet person, but when he speaks it always profound and always very direct."
"Is he strict?" Naruto gave a gulp as he thought about dealing with another faerie who was like Itachi but even more intense.
Would I even survive meeting his parents?
"Not strict, just protective." Naruto gave a large sigh of relief, causing Sasuke to laugh at the reaction, before mumbling that he was a "drama queen".
"I can understand that." Naruto straightened with a nod, his once flexing fingers easing up on the wheel. Naruto gave the radio a little push, before tilting his head to tell Sasuke that he can listen to what he likes.
Sasuke gave him a grateful hum, his fingers twisting the knobs expertly.
"So...it was just your parents watching."
"No. Itachi, Dei, and Norelle was there too."
"So your whole support system was watching as I was pawing at you. Just great." Naruto groaned as he was met with more tinkling laughter. Blue eyes peeked a glance, as he watched Sasuke once again for a brief moment before he was about to enter the main road.
Sasuke's hair was long and dark, billowing around his face and neck softly. His lips were in a smile as he gave a content hum once he had found a station to his liking. Naruto was so enraptured in watching Sasuke that he once again had to remind himself of his current task.
Angel Naruto: Hey idiot, you are driving a car, and carrying precious cargo. Pay the fuck attention.
Devil Naruto: But it's hard! Literally and figuratively(he said as he wiggled his brows and made a crude gesture). You saw how beautiful Sasuke looked.
Both found themselves looking at each other before agreeing. Sasuke was too good looking to not be captivated by. But Naruto cared more about the faeries safety, so he reminded himself to stay vigilante as he turned back into the highway.
"Trust me, what you did was nothing to a faerie. It was actually quite sweet and innocent." Sasuke gave a hum as the music filtered through his slightly worn out speakers.
"I almost kissed you."
"I know."
Naruto could hear the music for the first time. The chaos in his mind starting to break away like clouds evaporating.
Don't you hear me talking baby?
Love me now or I'll go crazy
Oh sweet thing.
Don't you know you're my everything?
A/N:
Thank you for all the patience you all have granted me at this time! Again, this chapter ended up wayyyyyy tooo long, so I split it in half. The next chapter will be the complete date, start tofinish, and I've been having so much fun create even more moments and dynamics between Naruto and Sasuke.
Also, I was slightly worried about how people will view the bath scene. I wanted to show the different dynamics from faeries to humans. For faeries, a naked body is just a body. The way Faeries operate, being naked is normal, having sex and being free to express themselves are completely normal in their culture. I hope you felt the love and the special moment I tried to make in that moment.
Song in this chapter:
Sweet Thing - Rufus featuring Chaka Khan
Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Let me know what you think! Feed my praise kink with kudos, likes, shares, and comments, pretty please with sugar on top.
xoxo
Ci Mai