Sunflower

by rkivexxxv

Summary:

Sasuke Uchiha is a monotonous office worker who has no time for anything but work. And on one of his many gray days, he ends up meeting Naruto Uzumaki.

Accidentally.

 

⚠️

📌 Si deseas leer la versión en español puedes encontrar Sunflower en Wattpad e Inkitt bajo el mismo seudónimo (rkivexxxv).

Notes:

Hi! Just a quick heads-up ♡ English isn’t my first language, so there might be a few awkward phrases here and there.

Chapter 1: The Stranger Next Door

Sasuke Uchiha was the very personification of bitterness. He had never been one to go out much, not even in his youth, and it was precisely that serious and mysterious attitude that had earned him some fame among the women at the bank.

At almost thirty years old, it had never crossed his mind to go party, start a business, or form a family. Nothing. He avoided any type of interaction with anyone who tried to approach him.

Just like what was happening at that very moment.

"Come on, Uchiha, come with us for a bit and stop being so boring," pleaded Suigetsu Hozuki, one of the few people in the office who approached him without fear or ulterior motives… or at least that's what Sasuke thought.

Suigetsu was so nosy and talkative that he would probably get annoyed if Sasuke agreed to go with him.

Ignoring him completely, the dark-haired man kept typing frantically on his computer. The only thing he wanted was to get to his apartment in that horrible building near the seafood market, collapse onto his trusty mattress, and forget the day. But Suigetsu's persistent gaze eventually made him give in; he looked up and shot him a sharp glare with his dark, grumpy eyes, a generous gift from his family legacy.

"So?" the albino insisted, batting his lashes shamelessly, unfazed by his stern expression.

"No, I'd rather go home."

A tired grimace formed on his face. "Fine, whatever. You're missing out," Suigetsu disappeared, sulking.

It was needless to say that arguing with the grumpy man wasn’t an option, not when he had already given up weeks ago on those same words that seemed to come out automatically from Sasuke's mouth.

The dark-haired man barely paid attention to the murmurs of the group as they walked away, complaining about his grumpy attitude and throwing out absurd theories about a supposed failed marriage that, according to them, explained his bitterness toward life.

He scoffed in annoyance.

After a while, he let out a long sigh and massaged his neck, grateful he didn’t have to waste energy rejecting another invitation. His tired eyes landed on the hated office clock, the one he checked every few minutes, hoping for the moment to leave. For the first time, he didn’t have to let out a grumpy complaint before continuing with his work; the day was over.

He closed the programs, turned off the computer, and quickly grabbed his jacket and the keys to his awful 1996 Nissan truck, the one he had bought with a lot of effort years ago.

"Stupid piece of junk..." he muttered when he tried to start it for the third time.

Sasuke looked at himself in the rearview mirror and rolled his eyes; he didn’t know how many times he had been in the same situation.

He gripped the steering wheel tightly and let out a heavy sigh. Sometimes, he really believed he had bad luck; every time something went well for him, no matter how insignificant, something else had to ruin it. He scratched his head, struggling to stay calm. Over time, he had learned to control his anger; nothing frustrated him enough anymore to end up fighting with his own truck.

He turned the key one more time, and to his relief, the old engine roared to life. Without wasting time, he drove into the streets of Osaka.

On the way, he made a quick stop at a convenience store for supplies. He stocked up on junk food and beer, his foolproof combination for spending the night lying on the couch until he fell asleep.

Maybe they were playing some cliché horror movie that night, just to make noise and pretend he was watching it.

His mother disapproved of his lifestyle. She didn’t need to say it out loud; the look she gave him every time she visited him was more than enough to make it clear.

And, well, she was right. He was an adult, and—under the family microscope—a complete failure.

But, to be honest, it didn’t really bother him.

He was just trying to live his way. Be himself. Be Sasuke.

He wasn’t the only child in the Uchiha family, nor the official representative of an entire conglomerate of people under the same surname. He was just Sasuke.

For God’s sake, he worked at a bank!

The uncharming Sasuke Uchiha parked in the tiny lot of the graffiti-covered building, checked that the truck was properly locked, and walked toward the entrance. His feet felt like sacks of cement, and he was convinced the gray sky above wasn’t a sign of an impending storm, but the perfect reflection of his crappy day.

He forced himself to climb the stairs—the damn elevator had been out of service for two months—and cursed himself for choosing to live on the third floor.

This was his routine. The torturous life he had already gotten used to.

He dragged his feet down the hallway, and when he reached his door, he furrowed his brows. Not out of annoyance or laziness, nor because he had to deal with his nosy neighbor.

He was confused. And he didn’t usually experience that particular emotion.

In front of his door, a couple of cardboard boxes partially blocked his path, but that wasn’t what caught his attention.

It was the guy crouched on the floor.

What the hell was he doing there?

From his position, all he could see was his rear end rising and swaying from side to side as he tried to… what exactly?

Sasuke just wanted to enter his apartment and keep being the same old failure. So, he did the first thing that came to mind: he pretended to cough.

The stranger jumped and stood up immediately.

To Sasuke’s surprise, he didn’t have the face he imagined of an intruder, a thief, or, worse, a pervert. In fact, he didn’t seem to fit in at all with the building’s atmosphere.

He wasn’t someone who should be here.

He stood silently, watching him. The guy had messy blonde hair, like he had just woken up, but it still shone under the dim hallway light. And his eyes, big and blue, dazzled in a way that was almost annoying.

This guy radiated exactly the kind of energy Sasuke always avoided.

"Sorry, I just..."

Sasuke slightly curled his lips.

Even his voice had a strange vibration to it, way too lively for his taste.

"I lost something important under your door, but I can’t reach it," he added in an embarrassed mumble. Sasuke noticed his cheeks turning a faint shade of pink.

Ignoring the boxes and the guy, Uchiha opened the door without saying anything. As soon as he did, the blonde quickly grabbed something from the floor, but Sasuke no longer cared to find out what it was. His curiosity died the moment he saw his smile.

It was the biggest and most genuine smile he had seen in a long time.

It wasn’t like the flirtatious ones some women threw at him, or the nervous ones from his office mates, not even that pity smile Suigetsu always had when he looked at him.

No. It was a real smile.

"I’m Naruto Uzumaki," he said, taking a couple of steps back while pointing to the neighboring door. "I just moved in."

But what the hell was he thinking when he decided to move right here?

Sasuke wanted to tell him that he was completely crazy for moving near the seafood market, that he was crazy for moving in front of the crazy old lady, and that he was even crazier for trying to strike up a conversation with him.

But instead, he remembered—or at least tried to apply—the values his mother, Mikoto Uchiha, had taught him.

"Sasuke."

And without another word, he closed the door behind him.

Chapter 2: The Creepy Laundry Room

Sasuke could barely open his eyes. The last time he drowned himself in alcohol was during that one week of the year when people insisted on spending time with family, that bright and golden time when couples enjoyed a magical evening under the multicolored street lights: Christmas.

It had been just under two months since then, but that Friday, he had woken up feeling so fed up with life that he decided to get intoxicated after work.

And now, paying the consequences, he got out of bed with an unbearable headache, searching for aspirin and lots of water. He left his room and headed to the bathroom, urinating while berating himself for his stupid impulse the night before.

When he looked up at the mirror, his own reflection stared back at him in disgust. He washed his hands, then his face, but even the cold water couldn’t erase the heavy sensation crushing him.

Sasuke had thought that getting drunk would ease the irritation that relentlessly followed him. Instead, he only woke up angry, sore, and more annoyed than before.

Still, he found a small consolation:

It would have been worse to go with Suigetsu.

That thought calmed him a little.

As he did every day at five in the afternoon, his desk neighbor had invited him again to those weekly colleague gatherings, and as always, Sasuke’s response was a resounding no.

It wasn’t that he was a bitter person—well, he was, but not on purpose—he just didn’t feel comfortable surrounded by so much human effusiveness. It was as if he were being forced to be friendly, to tolerate the presence of people he had no interest in interacting with, let alone getting to know.

More clear-headed than when he had woken up, Sasuke walked into the living room and let out a tired sigh. The place was a mess; sake bottles decorated his small coffee table in a vulgar manner, and several more lay on the floor near the couch.

He promised himself to stay away from alcohol for a good while and began to clean up.

Swept under the rugs and the couch, moved through the kitchen, under the table, and finally reached the door. Then, without warning, an image slipped into his mind: a huge and genuine smile, bright blue eyes, and messy blonde hair.

It had been a while since he had seen his new neighbor. Maybe he had only caught a glimpse of him from afar when taking out the trash, but it was very strange. They lived just a few meters apart, almost impossible not to run into each other...

Either way, it wasn’t his concern.

He shook the troublemaker from his thoughts and finished his chore. It was Saturday, and the clock was about to strike four in the afternoon. At that moment, Sasuke realized he hadn’t made any use of his weekend and, as usual, had spent it locked inside those four walls.

He took the aspirin to ease his headache and drank so much water that his stomach almost hurt—a consequence of the terrible hangover.

Just as he was about to settle onto the old brown couch in the living room, knocks echoed on the door.

Closed his eyes in annoyance and prayed for two reasons. First, because he had no intention of dealing with the crazy old lady from the building. And second, the worst of all: he desperately hoped it wasn’t Mikoto Uchiha.

He walked slowly, hoping that by the time he looked through the peephole, the person disturbing his tiny moment of peace would already be gone.

But that wasn’t the case.

Everything good that had happened to him in absolutely no part of the day since he woke up vanished as if by magic. And he really thought it had been good, because he had already decided to end his weekend by sleeping.

He hadn’t even considered a third possibility that could disturb his little peace… and his already limited patience with people.

He frowned as he opened the door and found the pink-haired girl who lived two floors down, the same one who, for some inexplicable reason, had no problem going up and down those damn stairs.

"What do you want now, Sakura?" he grumbled, leaning against the doorframe with evident exhaustion.

He swore by all the existing gods and those yet to be that he was trying to be nice, but he simply couldn't put in more effort!

"Sasuke-kun," she pronounced his name with that sickly sweet tone that tasted like the bitterest of poisons to him. "I came to ask if you’ll attend the tenants' meeting. You know… the elevator hasn’t been working, and a lot of people are upset with the building management."

Ah… the tenants' meeting. The same one he avoided every month for the same reasons he declined Suigetsu’s invitation.

Well, at least this time, Sakura wasn’t here for personal reasons.

"I'm sure I don't need to be there. I have work that day."

"You always say the same thing, Sasuke-kun," she complained with a pout.

"Is that all?"

His mother would have smacked him over the head if she saw how he treated a girl.

Sakura lowered her gaze, her face blushing.

Sasuke frowned immediately. He knew things with her could never be simple. Maybe he shouldn’t have asked if she needed anything else; he should have just stayed quiet.

What an idiot.

"I… uhm…" Sakura's hesitant murmurs made him sigh in frustration. "I was wondering if you’d like to go..."

He didn’t need to be a genius to know where this conversation was going. She was about to ask him out, but before she could finish her sentence, Sasuke grabbed the laundry basket he had prepared days ago and, with a simple shrug, made it clear he didn’t have time.

"I have things to do."

Without waiting for a response, he left the apartment, leaving her with the words caught in her throat.

"Oh, it's okay, don’t worry..." Sakura murmured softly, resigned, though still hopeful that one day she would have that dream date with her "Sasuke-kun."

As he quickly descended the stairs, Sasuke thought about how little he felt like going down to the first floor. However, deep down, he mentally thanked Sakura for dragging him out of his apartment and forcing him to take care of his small domestic duties.

After all, he was almost out of clean spare clothes.

"Sasuke!" Someone said as soon as they noticed him. "I haven’t seen you in days."

That’s when he froze in the doorway. Normally, he didn’t pay much attention to what was happening around him, and even though he often pretended to be deaf or act like he was listening to music with his earbuds in, this time, it was almost impossible to ignore.

"Naruto," he said his name, and after a brief moment of surprise, cleared his throat.

Somewhat puzzled, he walked to the washing machine he usually used, eye-measured the amounts of detergent his mother had taught him—never precisely—and loaded his clothes.

From time to time, he watched him out of the corner of his eye. Naruto didn’t look desperate or impatient, despite how tedious waiting in the laundry room was. He was just there, calmly waiting for his load to finish drying, reading one of those ridiculous gossip magazines that only served to fuel absurd celebrity rumors—he seemed very entertained by it.

And he was still wearing his pajamas.

Sasuke forced himself to focus on his clothes spinning round and round inside the machine. Unlike Naruto, he was too aware of his surroundings not to notice how dull it was to wait in that dark, damp, and foul-smelling laundry room.

"Doesn’t this place creep you out?" Naruto asked after a few minutes of silence. "I’ve been here two weeks, and I still think this is a terrifying laundry room."

Sasuke turned and, for some reason, couldn’t ignore the honest glint in those blue eyes.

"Then why did you move here?"

Perhaps it sounded harsher than he intended, but socialising had never been his strong suit, and yet he was trying. However, Naruto didn't seem bothered at all.

Naruto frowned, scratched his cheek, lips pursed in an almost childish gesture.

"Ramen."

Sasuke blinked.

Had he heard that right? Did he just say…?

"Ramen?"

"Ichiraku Ramen," Naruto clarified with a smile. "Have you heard of that place? It's the best ramen restaurant!"

Ah, right. That restaurant.

The one a few meters from the seafood market and near that rundown mall that was almost always empty. He barely visited it, either because work left him no time or because, like today, he simply didn’t feel like going out. And most days were like today.

But that wasn’t the important part.

"Are you saying you came here just for food?"

Sasuke’s tone was incredulous, which was also unusual for him.

"Ramen isn’t just food, Sasuke."

God, he sounded so serious. He hadn’t seen anyone speak so passionately about a bit of miso, broth, and noodles.

You're weird.

He wanted to say it, but he just pressed his lips together and glanced away toward his clothes.

"Fine, you love ramen, I get it."

It still seemed ridiculous to him.

Why was that the first topic of conversation after meeting again?

Ramen? Seriously? They could have talked about the weather, like normal people would.

Normal, boring people.

"You have to try it. They have amazing coupon deals," Naruto said, moving toward the dryer. "Really, you won’t regret it."

He pulled out his freshly washed clothes, mostly colorful and warm garments, and neatly placed them in his basket.

Sasuke watched him in silence. Somehow, seeing Naruto do something so mundane was… hypnotizing. Fascinating, even.

But he didn’t understand why.

Naruto gave him one last smile before leaving, just like the first time they crossed paths in the hallway. He murmured a see you and disappeared through the door.

That was when Sasuke realized just how unsettling that laundry room really was.

Naruto was strange; he wore pajamas until the afternoon, smiled sincerely, and showed a genuine curiosity about things. He loved ramen so much that he decided to move because of it. And the most disconcerting part of all… he had taken with him the warmth that, for a brief moment, had filled that dark, damp, and foul-smelling room.

Sasuke barely smiled.

Chapter 3: Ichiraku Ramen

Sasuke sighed skeptically and scanned the place as if he were afraid someone would see him enter.

For a moment, Sasuke wondered if what Naruto said was true. Because, to be honest, it was hard to believe that someone would decide to move their entire life over a simple ramen restaurant. Or at least, that’s what anyone with a bit of logic would think.

And if that were the case...

"You gonna stand there all day, or are you coming in? You're blocking the door for customers," the deep voice of what seemed to be the owner of the place interrupted his thoughts.

Sasuke relaxed his face; he didn’t want to seem like the grumpy guy in the room. He was just too curious, besides an incredulity that ran through his blood with reluctance. Could someone really move from one place to another just for a bowl of ramen?

He nodded and sat at the counter. He wasn’t interested in looking for a table further inside… nor did he want to expose himself to strangers’ stares, as if his solitude were on display. He pretended to go through the menu, gave it a quick glance, and ordered a simple bowl of ramen, no extras.

He let go of his rigid posture and sighed. He didn’t like ramen.

Not at all, but there he was, about to eat it because of a stranger.

He glanced around the small restaurant and was surprised by the number of people there on a weekday afternoon. Maybe it was because of the area; after all, the seafood market attracted a lot of visitors. That’s exactly why Sasuke opted for public transportation—he had already planned his trip to Ichiraku and didn’t want to waste time looking for a parking spot for his truck.

The place had an almost perfect location to generate income and prestige within the small town.

But the very thought of walking through that crowded market felt both bothersome and exhausting. Like a grumpy old man had taken over his body… and he knew it. Maybe he aged too fast.

Childhood trauma? Work? Or maybe it was the fault of his past life self.

He pondered it for a while, and almost unconsciously, his lips curved into a smile. Maybe he had been some weirdo obsessed with revenge and power.

"Here you go." A girl with a kind smile placed the bowl in front of him.

The hot steam hit his face. He didn’t want to admit it, but the aroma and the sheen of the broth made his stomach growl without shame.

For a moment, the idea that someone might pack their bags and leave home just because of their favorite restaurant started to make sense.

"Thanks."

He picked up some noodles with his chopsticks, dipped them in the miso, and even smelled them before tasting them. He wasn’t sure why, but that first bite tasted like the best thing he had eaten in a long time… maybe because he rarely had homemade food.

He was really enjoying it. Maybe he should thank Naruto later.

"Sasuke!"

He froze. All the comfort he had gathered disappeared in an instant.

He felt a few pats on his back before a familiar smile appeared in his field of vision.

"Suigetsu."

Tension ran through his body in a matter of seconds. He knew his expression showed nothing but annoyance, but he also couldn’t fully project it. Apparently, he had a natural ability to maintain the same straight-lipped, bored-eyed expression twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.

"I didn’t know you liked coming here." Suigetsu smiled, amused, before ordering a full menu as if he were feeding an army.

"I just wanted to change up my routine a bit."

A lie.

"You? Sasuke Uchiha wanting to change his routine?"
Of course, Suigetsu didn’t believe him. Sasuke had rejected his club invitations so many times that the idea of a "change in routine" sounded ridiculous. Sasuke Uchiha didn’t change plans.

"Why is the whole deposit team here after work? I thought you guys only went out on Fridays," he diverted the conversation. He couldn’t exactly tell him he was there because of his new and chaotic neighbor.

"Oh, extra work," Suigetsu replied, shrugging. "Looks like we’ll be staying late, so we came to grab some food..."

Sasuke might have paid more attention to what his coworker was saying, but just then, the reason he was in that restaurant walked through the door.

Suddenly, he didn’t know what unsettled him more: the fact that Naruto had arrived and might see him there, or what that made him feel.

He realized how ridiculous he must have looked trying to hide behind Suigetsu.

"What the hell are you doing?" his coworker asked, watching him cover his face with the day’s specials menu.

Sasuke didn’t answer. Instead, he took a quick peek behind Suigetsu, who, driven by curiosity, did the same.

"Who are you hiding from?" he muttered to himself before sighing and shaking his head. "Never mind, they’re waiting for me."

"No, wait—"

But Suigetsu was already taking his order as he left the restaurant, leaving Sasuke completely abandoned. He clicked his tongue and just hoped Naruto would pass by without noticing him. When it finally happened, he sighed in relief, letting his previously tense shoulders drop.

From his seat, he could still see him. Now that he thought about it, Naruto seemed to be alone. Maybe he didn’t have any friends in Osaka or simply enjoyed ramen in peace.

However, he discarded that idea as soon as he saw Naruto greet the girl at the counter with familiarity. Sasuke raised an eyebrow, curious. Did he come for the ramen or for her? Now he wasn’t so sure. In fact, it reinforced his theory: no one moved to a new city just for the food… unless they were in love with the girl who served them ramen every day.

"Would you like anything else?" The restaurant owner once again appeared, dragging him out of his thoughts and forcing him to look away from his neighbor.

"No, thank you," he replied in his usual dull tone, or maybe even duller than usual. He pulled out his wallet to pay and leave.

"Hey, Dad! Look who’s here," the girl at the counter called out.

And just like that, Sasuke lost his chance to leave the restaurant unnoticed.

"Teuchi-san!" he heard Naruto’s voice behind him, and in a reflex, he immediately turned his back to the scene.

"Naruto! What brings you here?" The man sounded genuinely surprised. Sasuke wanted to know more, but he also needed to escape. Unfortunately, without paying his bill, he couldn’t just run off.

Naruto was about to answer when he suddenly noticed the other person trying to disappear.

"Sasuke?"

Damn. Everything was going wrong.

He couldn’t believe it. Running into Naruto was becoming a habit. Although, to be honest, it was his fault. He had decided to come to Ichiraku Ramen knowing full well that it was his neighbor’s favorite restaurant.

"Hey, Naruto."

He turned and pretended to act naturally.

Naruto smiled. That way. Again.

"Oh, do you two know each other?" Teuchi asked, surprised.

"Sort of, we’re neighbors," Naruto answered casually.

"You moved to Osaka?" father and daughter reacted in unison.

Sasuke frowned. So they hadn’t seen him in the two weeks he had been settling into the building. Once again, curiosity bubbled up, and that annoyed him.

Naruto nodded.

"It’s a long story," he replied with an embarrassed smile, rubbing the back of his neck.

Teuchi and his daughter exchanged a look before the man clapped his hands.

"Sit down, please. I’ll bring you something to eat," he announced enthusiastically, then turned to the brunette. "Bring out a couple of the good ones."

She nodded and ran to the kitchen.

Sasuke tried to intervene.

"It’s not necessary, I..."

"Don’t worry, son," Teuchi interrupted him with a smile. "You’re a friend of Naruto's, this one’s on the house."

Friend? Did he really just say that? He and Naruto barely knew each other.

Although he intended to refuse again, he decided not to insist. He didn’t want to be rude. He glanced sideways at his new companion, dressed so colorfully and disheveled, as if he had no other clothes in his closet. There were no signs that he worked in an office or wore any sort of uniform.

"So... you decided to try Ichiraku’s delicious ramen."

"I was just passing by," he cleared his throat. "It’s not bad."

Naruto smiled again, playfully.

"The suit," he mentioned, making a gesture as if adjusting a tie, "you just got off work."

Sasuke finally turned to look at him and, just this once, took the time to really observe him. He didn’t seem compelled to ask questions; he appeared quite calm and comfortable, unlike many others who tried to start a conversation with him. And those eyes again… they didn’t seem dishonest. He couldn’t tell how long he had stared until Naruto averted his gaze. Perhaps it was too long. He felt foolish for seeking an answer, but the girl from before interrupted the moment by placing two steaming bowls of ramen in front of them. With a "enjoy," she disappeared to attend to the new customers arriving.

"Something like that," Sasuke replied before trying the noodles. "Have you been in Osaka long? You seem to know the owners well."

He’d never uttered so many words in one sentence before. Or maybe he was just ridiculously curious.

"Teuchi-san and his daughter Ayame-chan... we’ve known each other for a long time."

Sasuke nodded, willing to listen.

"I used to live here and came all the time with my parents," his tone took on a melancholic tinge, but then he smiled. "I moved to Tokyo for a while and now I’m back to finish university."

"University?" Sasuke frowned, surprised. Was he talking to a university student?

Naruto nodded while enjoying his favorite food.

"Third year. I should have finished long ago, but some things came up and I only just got back to it."

Sasuke raised an eyebrow.

"I wouldn’t have guessed."

"And what’s that supposed to mean?"

"Nothing in particular."

Naruto squinted suspiciously, but instead of pressing, he took another bite of ramen.

"And you? What do you do?"

Sasuke took a second to answer.

"I work at a bank."

"Always wanted that?"

"It’s a stable job."

Sasuke evaded the question, but Naruto didn’t press.

"Surely it’s boring."

"Depends."

"Depends on what?"

"Depends on how much you care."

Naruto let out a brief laugh.

Sasuke tilted his head, lost in thought at that small gesture—he was being a jerk, but unlike his other human interactions, Naruto laughed without a care.

"Sure, sure, Mr. Grumpy," Naruto joked before continuing to eat.

"So about the ramen... you didn’t move here for it..."

"The ramen is real," Naruto declared, interrupting without hesitation.

Sasuke grunted. Fine. He was going to believe him.

When their meal was finished, both bid farewell to Teuchi and Ayame before leaving the establishment.

Naruto walked in a peculiar way, with his hands clasped behind his neck and an air of nonchalance. Sasuke, on the other hand, kept his hands in his pockets and maintained a stiffer posture.

The walk was short. At that hour, the market was nearly empty, which made the trip back to the graffiti-covered building easier. If he didn’t live there, Sasuke probably would have fled because of the place’s gloomy appearance.

"Good night, Sasuke-san and..." greeted the on-duty guard, Kabuto.

A strange guy, if Sasuke were to describe him.

"Naruto," replied the blond, finishing the phrase.

Kabuto adjusted his glasses and nodded.

"I’ll remember that next time."

Just as they were about to enter, Kabuto stopped them.

"By the way, there’s a meeting with the neighborhood association. Everyone’s there; I think your attendance is important."

Sasuke exhaled a sigh of annoyance. He had completely forgotten about the meeting. Had he remembered, he would have taken his time before coming back.

"Wait, are you really going in?" Sasuke asked, surprised to see Naruto with his hand on the meeting room’s door handle.

Naruto blinked, confused.

"Yeah, why not?"

Sasuke looked at him as if he were a complete naive.

"Because these meetings are a waste of time."

Naruto smiled amusedly.

"Sounds like you’ve had plenty of practice escaping them."

"It’s not escaping if you never go in."

"Come on, it can’t be that bad."

Sasuke sighed in resignation and followed him, albeit with evident reluctance.

Chapter 4: A Friendly Statement

It was a tedious situation, horrible and in very bad taste.

Sasuke seemed to have a twitch in his eyebrow; he was desperate. What was he doing there? What the hell was he doing next to Naruto, listening to that ridiculous talk about the funds for the elevator? He would’ve rather climbed the twenty-something steps to his apartment than listen to those long, boring videos the eccentric building owner played.

"God, look at his face," he heard Naruto whisper mockingly. "Doesn't it scare you?"

Sasuke, even though he could hardly see anything, focused his gaze in the direction his neighbor indicated.

"It's much worse when you see it up close," a tiny smile appearing on his face.

Naruto was about to reply, but the lights came back on just as the elevator company’s informative video came to an end.

"Ahh, I thought it would never end," he heard him mutter. "You should’ve told me they were extremely boring. I wanted to sleep and thought this would be more important."

God, he looked like a small child complaining with that pout; it was a new side, more relaxed and spoiled. Sasuke agreed: he also wanted to rest, but...

"You were the one who said it couldn’t be that bad," reminded him calmly, glancing sideways at his defeated expression.

Naruto pouted at the remark and nearly let out a dry laugh, but held it back.

Ah, yeah. Now it all made sense. He was there because Naruto had dragged him along with his absurd enthusiasm. He let himself be convinced by that confident smile, and by the time he wanted to back out, they were already stuck watching videos about elevators with robotic voices. Even so, it was preferable to being alone and ending up receiving another lecture from Orochimaru about the obligations of the perfect tenant he was supposed to be.

"There are some snacks on the table in the back," Orochimaru’s voice echoed. "If you’d like, help yourselves. Please, go ahead."

Uchiha frowned and made a grimace. That thought crossed his mind again. He had lived there a long time and knew Orochimaru; still, he kept thinking about making a plan to escape from that creepy voice.

He sounded like a damn kidnapper.

Sasuke turned his attention back to Naruto and saw a strange sparkle in his blue eyes.

"Uh, free food," he whispered, hurrying toward the long table that looked like it came straight out of a birthday party banquet.

At this point, Sasuke didn’t know what he was doing. He couldn’t believe he was still there, waiting for Naruto to finish eating those snacks. He watched him fill his cheeks like a squirrel. In another situation —and at another time— he would’ve left a while ago. Maybe he was just being polite.

After all, he and Naruto lived next to each other.

"Sasuke-kun!" a shout caught his attention.

It was the pink-haired girl from the first floor, running up to him. She greeted him with that look full of hope he’d seen many times before.

"I thought you had work."

Sasuke nodded slowly.

"I left early... and got here just in time, apparently."

Unfortunately, he thought.

"Since you’re here, I want to ask you something," she seemed much more determined than usual.

And that scared him.

"Hey, Sasuke!" Naruto’s loud voice made him sigh in relief.

The blond approached him, smiling as cheerfully as always.

"You have to try these takoyaki. I didn’t know that..."

Naruto fell silent the moment he noticed the girl’s presence. He cleared his throat and suddenly became shy as he said:

"Sorry, did I interrupt something?" He quickly wiped his lips with the back of his hand.

Sasuke saw it immediately — the suspicion in Sakura’s eyes, her tense shoulders, and the obvious anger she felt toward the new neighbor.

"You’re the new tenant, right?" she spoke first, with a frustrated look. "Sakura Haruno," she introduced herself.

"Naruto Uzumaki," he offered a kind smile.

Sasuke watched him closely; he seemed like he could smile at anyone, even if they didn’t match his level of enthusiasm. Unlike Sasuke, who only gave short answers with the same serious expression.

Sakura poked her cheek, a little nervous.

"Did you two already know each other?"

Naruto made a thoughtful noise and scratched his head.

"We’re neighbors, so I guess we kind of know each other," shrugged and looked at Sasuke.

"Something like that," replied, the same way the blond had at Ichiraku Ramen.

In truth, their strange relationship had no name or precedent. At least for now.

Naruto glanced quickly at the wall clock in the room, which looked like it came out of a boring hospital.

"Oh, it’s late," he whispered, more to himself.

Sasuke saw his chance to escape.

"I have work tomorrow," Uchiha stepped back a few steps, looked at Sakura, then shifted his gaze to Naruto. "Good night."

He turned and started walking as fast as he could toward the exit. He didn’t want to stay there, especially knowing she was so ready to talk about her feelings.

He heard Naruto’s voice saying goodbye in his usual loud manner, and felt him following shortly after.

"I was supposed to leave, and you were supposed to let her talk to you," he heard him say, discouraged. Sasuke nearly choked in shock.

Why the hell would you do that!?

"I felt a bit guilty after interrupting," he replied, somewhat embarrassed.

The answer came, even though Sasuke hadn’t asked him directly.

"I’m not interested in Sakura."

They were climbing the tedious stairs to the third floor, and by then, Naruto didn’t know how to respond. Sasuke had been honest and answered in a split second, almost fearfully.

The blond pouted. A confused and curious expression formed on his face.

They reached their hallway, and before the raven-haired one entered, Naruto spoke:

"Have you... tried talking to her?" he shrugged, keeping that shy tone. "She seemed really willing to talk, and the longer you wait, the mor..."

"Why are you giving me advice?" interrupted harshly.

Uchiha turned around and looked at him with a frown. The bitterness and seriousness on his face would’ve scared anyone, but it didn’t intimidate Naruto, who simply tilted his head and gave another cute pout.

"Why not?"

His question was ridiculously genuine, and although Sasuke wanted to ignore those blue eyes, he looked into them carefully, searching for any trace of malice or falseness.

And finding nothing of the sort, he finally replied:

"Because we don’t know each other."

Of course! They didn’t know each other. It was a correct answer to an honest question, but Sasuke was reacting very defensively. Or rather, he didn’t want to admit that, deep down in whatever was beneath his ribs, he always ended up getting to know his now not-so-new neighbor a little more.

And despite the bluntness of his words, Naruto huffed and puffed out his cheeks. As if it hadn’t affected him in the slightest. Usually, people ran away terrified from Sasuke and his seemingly dangerous words.

Suigetsu could be an exception... a very annoying and insistent one, but that was because he didn’t care much about what others said. Unfortunately, that included Sasuke.

But Naruto seemed to be a naturally generous person, not to mention a complete fool and a bit naive.

"I promise we’ll get to know each other better, really," he smiled brightly. "Good night, Sasuke."

Naruto disappeared behind his door.

The dark-haired boy sighed and entered his apartment, perhaps a little confused. He ran his hand through his hair and dropped onto his reliable mattress.

It wasn’t just blind and boundless generosity, honest answers, or questions filled with real curiosity. Uzumaki Naruto was a clumsy guy. A very genuine one. And despite everything he might think, Sasuke didn’t feel afraid; he was curious, expectant, and —as stupid as it sounded in his head— it was particularly exciting.

Because in the midst of that looming loneliness that surrounded him, maybe he had found something.
Or rather, someone.

Someone he could watch just to forget about everything that made him feel bad.

Chapter 5: The Price of Freedom

There were many things Sasuke hated about his life. Probably most of it frustrated him, and no.

It wasn’t the fault of his old truck, or the boring job he had. He wasn’t even bothered by where he lived, what he ate, or his daily routine.

What he hated most about being himself… was his last name.

He couldn’t understand the obsession people had with that name, blinded by the power and prestige they thought they gained just by saying it.

"Sweetheart, do me a favor and lose that long face," Mikoto greeted him with a warm smile as she wrapped her arms around him. "Come on, give your mother a smile."

It had been a while since she’d seen her bitter little boy.

"Hi, Mom," Sasuke replied in a neutral tone, returning the hug as best as he could and forcing a slight smile—just enough for her to know he was okay.

"I’m glad you’re here," she said with that mix of joy and nostalgia only a mother could have.

Maybe she really was happy, but Sasuke remained reluctant. He had only come so she wouldn’t worry—and, to be honest, to avoid her storming into his apartment to yell at him and demand to know why he hadn’t shown up to the family gathering. It was better to deal with things with as little drama as possible.

"Any chance you’ll let me go home now?" asked with a grimace. "You’ve seen me, I’m fine."

"Son, this is still your home," replied, guiding him by the hand toward the entrance of the imposing Uchiha residence. "And I wasn’t the one who asked you to come today."

Sasuke frowned but said nothing. He let his mother drag him along, resigned.

The house hadn’t changed much since the last time he was there: it still had that cozy vibe of traditional Japanese homes, combined with the modern touches typical of the more expensive suburbs of Osaka.

Very different from the tiny room and building he now called home.

The Uchiha who denied his own nature. That’s how not only some bank employees referred to him, but also certain family members.

"Yeah, sure..." he sighed.

For some reason still unknown to him, his mother had called him that morning, asking him to return to the house where he’d long pretended to belong. It was Sunday, and there was no shortage of reasons to feel uncomfortable in that residence.

He even thought he was wasting his day.

"Why did you make me come?" asked as he stepped into the kitchen, which, by the way, smelled delicious.

Mikoto poured him water into an elegant crystal glass and pressed her lips together before answering:

"Your brother wanted to gather the family today."

Sasuke exhaled forcefully and looked away, as if the state-of-the-art microwave was more interesting than Mikoto’s hopeful eyes. So it had all been the fault of the brilliant and amazing Itachi Uchiha, his older brother.

"Where are they?"

"In the dining room," replied, handing him the glass. Sasuke drank it in one gulp. "They’re waiting for you."

Sasuke took a deep breath and straightened his back—a way to prepare his mind for what was coming.

"Alright. Let’s get this over with."

He headed toward the dining room, knowing exactly where it was. However, his mother stopped him before he crossed the threshold, where conversations about business and laughter could already be heard.

Something was definitely going to go wrong.

"Don’t fall for provocations," she whispered, with a reassuring smile.

Sasuke couldn’t promise anything.

He entered. And the noise stopped.

Awkwardness filled the air.

But that didn’t stop him. He walked over and sat next to his brother, just like when they were kids.

"Sasuke," Itachi exclaimed, snapping out of his thoughts. "I’m glad you came."

The younger one looked at him for a few seconds, as he often did.

"I guess," he replied simply.

Meanwhile, Fugaku Uchiha didn’t even bother to look at him. Since Sasuke had left the house and abandoned his responsibilities as a family member, he had become invisible to his father. And he was fine with that, if it meant living in peace and free from ties he never chose.

Mikoto, trying to ease the tension, ordered the housekeeper to serve the lunch she had so carefully planned. Despite the differences among the men in her family, she smiled to see them together again.

A good cut of meat, rice, and salad decorated Sasuke’s plate, accompanied by a glass of Chianti that sparkled boastfully.

Too ostentatious.

So Uchiha, Sasuke thought in disgust. Suddenly, his primal survival instinct screamed at him to get out of there.

"So, dear," Mikoto asked as she began to eat, "what’s the reason for this gathering?"

"Is there trouble with the company?" added Fugaku with a concerned tone.

"Oh, no. Nothing bad," Itachi assured them.

Sasuke preferred to focus on his salad. He noticed he had an extra portion of tomato. Apparently, some habits never changed, no matter how long he’d been away.

"Deidara would’ve loved to be here, but he had to leave for Europe for an art exhibition," said apologetically, receiving a warm smile from his mother.

Sasuke sensed what was coming next. It wasn’t much of a surprise. After five years, he was sure what to expect from his older brother—especially from a homebody like Itachi.

"Come on, just say it already—you’re killing us with curiosity," Fugaku said in good spirits.

Something Sasuke wasn’t used to seeing. The hair on the back of his neck stood on end.

Itachi smiled, proud.

"Dei and I are getting married."

And his smile widened, full of love.

The congratulations and hugs came quickly. Sasuke, however, simply stared at his steaming plate. He didn’t want to be there. He wanted to leave.

Mikoto looked at him with sadness.

She had asked him not to fall for provocations, not to stay silent all afternoon.

Sasuke sighed. He knew that sooner or later—when the wedding day came—they would drag him into another family celebration, whether he liked it or not.

If he had time and planned well, maybe he could get out of it with a good excuse.

"Do you have a date yet?" asked Fugaku, raising his glass.

"Not yet, but we want it to be in the spring."

"Time flies!" Mikoto exclaimed, clapping like an excited little girl. "We better start preparing now."

They talked about how beautiful the cherry blossoms would be, about holding the wedding at one of the family’s summer homes, about elegant invitations, catering, champagne, suits…

And Sasuke thought about the day he decided not to fall in love.

People always approached him for his last name and the fame of his family. Pure prestige and self-interest.

If it weren’t for so many disappointments in the past, he probably would’ve had a good love life. He hid a mocking smile as he drank from his glass. Maybe he’d have been a real Casanova.

But he chose isolation, locking himself into a job routine with slow shifts and impending loneliness. No matter how far he went, there was always someone trying to take advantage of him, even when his ties to the Uchiha were almost nonexistent.

Except for one person.

"Sasuke, sweetheart," Mikoto’s soft voice pulled him from his thoughts. "How’s work? Everything alright?"

He tilted his head slightly.

"Same as always. You know how banks are," he replied without enthusiasm.

Mikoto smiled sweetly. But before she could say anything else, Fugaku spoke.

"If sitting in a bank cubicle can be called a good job..."

"Fugaku," his wife scolded.

"Dad, don’t," Itachi intervened, looking serious.

"What?" he defended himself, as if he hadn’t ruined the atmosphere with just a few words. "He didn’t study that much and I didn’t pay for it so he could end up as a simple bureaucrat. If he weren’t so stubborn, the dea–"

"The dealership is perfectly fine in Itachi’s hands. I thought I came here to eat, not to relive old arguments," Sasuke interrupted firmly.

He stood up and looked at his mother.

"I have to go."

He left the residence calmly. He was bitter, yes, but he wasn’t going to let his father be the reason. He’d already dealt enough with the Uchiha’s slights. Fugaku was a battle he’d overcome long ago.

"Sasuke!" Itachi’s voice reached him from the entrance. "Brother!"

Sasuke stopped. Scratched his head and turned to look at him.

"Don’t go. Stay, finish eating, and then, if you want, you can leave."

Sasuke looked at him blankly.

"Congratulations on your wedding," said slowly. "Tell Deidara I said so."

He turned around and didn’t wait another second to get into his truck and drive down the hill, toward a place where people like his family wouldn’t dare set foot. After all, his problem had never really been with Itachi—at least not directly. Fugaku Uchiha was the one who understood nothing.

After an hour and a half of driving while reflecting with the help of the soft music playing on the radio, he arrived at the building. The stench of seafood and the graffiti on the walls made him feel, curiously, at home.

He parked, made sure to lock the door, and walked toward the entrance, but the moment he lifted his gaze, he stopped in his tracks. He stood still, analyzing the scene in front of him. He frowned and looked around, searching for witnesses, but he was alone.

Sasuke hadn’t expected to run into his neighbor’s butt again.

Amused, he watched it sway as he tried to reach something. Or rather, half of a slim body buried in the dumpster, searching for that something.

He smirked to himself.

"Naruto, what are you doing?"

The blond jumped, and his blue eyes locked onto his with embarrassment as he turned toward him.

"Sasuke," murmured, as if he’d been caught doing something wrong.

"What are you trying to reach?" Uchiha asked as he approached, curious to see what was inside the dumpster. He was surprised to discover it. "A bird?"

"I was about to throw out the trash when I heard it squawk. It let me know it was there," said, clearly worried. "I think it’s hurt. I tried to get it out, but… I think my arm’s too short," grumbled, frustrated.

Sasuke gave him a quick glance and sighed with resignation.

He stretched his arm down to the bottom of the dumpster and, carefully, held the tiny bird, which let out faint cries of pain. He handed it to Naruto, who received it with both hands, his expression filled with tenderness.

"Its right wing is hurt. Maybe it hit a wire while flying," he murmured, inspecting it carefully to check for more injuries.

Sasuke watched the scene and, for the first time in hours, breathed calmly. He forgot where he’d come from, what he’d done… and why he had run away.

Chapter 6: An Unexpected Gesture

Sasuke watched silently, careful not to make the slightest sound that could distract his neighbor. And although it might sound ridiculous, he found it incredibly captivating to watch Naruto, focused and tender, healing a small wounded bird.

Under a starry sky, with the moon reigning alone, Sasuke found himself surprised at the thought that maybe, just maybe, he was losing a little bit of his sanity. In front of them, the graffiti-covered building seemed to come to life under the faint light of a couple of street lamps, as they sat at an old picnic table that time and neglect seemed to have claimed.

A place so worn and unremarkable with a picnic table?

Naruto held the bird with utmost care, his touch as delicate as the whisper of the wind. With a cotton swab, he applied ointment to the wound while murmuring, almost to himself:

"It's not that bad. With a bit of luck, it should be fine in a week."

Sasuke couldn't contain his curiosity.

"You're studying to be a veterinarian," he stated more than asked.

Naruto smiled and nodded.

"Animals seem to understand me better than humans. They don’t expect anything but a little love... I don’t know, maybe I just want to give them something back for everything they’ve given me," he finished the healing. "It's strange, isn’t it?"

Sasuke stayed silent for a few seconds, Naruto's words echoing in his mind. Something in the way Naruto spoke about that inexplicable connection made him think. It was curious how someone so open, so full of life, could find comfort in something so simple, yet so deep.

"It’s not strange," he finally said, his tone softer than usual, as if he were reflecting more for himself than for Naruto. "Maybe humans are the strange ones. We expect too much, and that’s why we’re never satisfied."

Naruto looked at him curiously, but Sasuke avoided his gaze. Somehow, it felt uncomfortable to admit that Naruto's words had touched him in some way. He felt vulnerable, something he rarely allowed.

With great care, Naruto placed the bird in a box with holes and a small blanket to keep it warm. Then he looked up at Sasuke, his eyes shining under the dim light.

"Let’s go inside. We need to put it somewhere safe."

They entered the building, which, although old and run-down, still had a certain warm, welcoming feel. Sasuke was grateful that the elevator finally worked properly; although, that also meant less time to ask Naruto questions. Not that he was hard to talk to... Sasuke just wasn’t good at that kind of thing.

He glanced at his reflection in the metal doors, surprised to see himself trying to start a conversation. His reflection returned a stunned look. In contrast, Naruto seemed calm, smiling to himself, lost in his thoughts.

"Thanks for helping me get it out of there," Naruto said, looking at him for a few seconds. "A little longer, and this little one wouldn’t have made it. They're really delicate."

Sasuke silently appreciated not having to be the first to speak; he was terrible at dealing with people, and even worse at starting conversations.

"Don’t thank me, you did much more than I did," Sasuke replied, meeting his gaze. "You’re the one who’s awesome here."

For a moment, he wondered if he had said the right thing. Sasuke wasn’t an expert at giving compliments or comforting people; he was awkwardly trying to let Naruto know what he thought.

But he relaxed when he saw Naruto’s smile and the slight blush on his face. The elevator beeped, signaling that they had arrived at their floor, and they walked down the hall, the same one where they had crossed paths for the first time.

"Here," Sasuke handed him the small first aid kit that Naruto had hurriedly gone to get.

"Oh, thanks," Naruto was about to take it, but paused when he noticed Sasuke’s hand was somewhat odd. "What’s that? Your hand..."

Sasuke looked down, uncomfortable.

"It’s nothing," he said, trying to pull it away, but Naruto was faster and gently held it.

"You got pricked when you took it from the trash bin," the concern in Naruto’s voice made Sasuke feel odd.

"I’m fine," he assured him.

"Come with me, let me clean it," Naruto asked. "I’ll invite you to dinner as a thank you."

Sasuke watched him with narrowed eyes, a shadow of suspicion crossing his face at the unexpected invitation; Naruto simply curved his lips into a warm smile.

"I know my duty is with animals," he explained in a playful tone, "but I’m not going to perform open-heart surgery on you, Sasuke," he added with a hint of mockery.

Naruto paused briefly.

"Just let me help you."

Sasuke couldn’t refuse such an offer, and it wasn’t just for bandages and some food. The warmth and clear concern in Naruto’s blue eyes suggested it might not be such a bad idea to accept. He had left the plate of food untouched at the Uchiha’s home and hadn’t noticed how much that little injury bothered him until this moment.

Without resistance, he allowed himself to enter the apartment next to his. In contrast to the neatness of his own space, he noticed that Naruto’s place was considerably more disorganized and chaotic. Then he remembered he was in a college student’s home, which provided a logical explanation. Sasuke had been similar during his student years.

Naruto invited him to sit at the table and asked for a few minutes to find a safe place for the wounded bird. Despite his serious and reserved nature, Sasuke became unusually observant, scanning the room with his eyes. It was a table for at least four people, the living room was just a few meters away, and the kitchen was right next to the dining area. It was a small space, similar to his, and surely to everyone else in the building.

Several pieces of clothing lay scattered on the couch, and the coffee table displayed a collection of empty ramen soup containers.

"Done, let me see," Naruto sat next to him and raised his hand, waiting for Sasuke to offer him his own.

Sasuke placed the back of his hand over Naruto’s palm and exposed the wound, which Naruto examined attentively. The small cut was right above his thumb, and without hesitation, Naruto applied a reddish solution, similar to surgical soap, with a soft cotton ball. Naruto waited for some sign of pain, but Sasuke remained impassive, or maybe he was just pretending to be strong.

Either way, he cleaned the wound and covered it with a band-aid. Sasuke looked at his hand for a moment and thought how childish it was to have an entire box of band-aids decorated with small colorful trucks.

He raised his gaze and found himself facing Naruto’s closed-eye smile. "You’re welcome," Naruto said while collecting his makeshift healing tools.

The silence didn’t last long, and Sasuke leaned back in his chair, a curiosity beginning to stir inside him.

"So?" Uchiha sighed lightly. "What do you have planned for dinner?"

"Uhm," Naruto murmured thoughtfully, looking at the ceiling. "How about...?"

"Let me guess," although his tone was slightly ironic, Sasuke felt inexplicably eager to talk. "Instant ramen."

Naruto puffed and a faint blush colored his cheeks.

"That’s what you were going to say, right?" His tone was playful, as if he had regained some strange energy he thought he had lost long ago.

"Don’t mess with me," Naruto murmured, feeling a pang of embarrassment.

Sasuke watched him for a moment before getting up from the chair. "Can I...?" He gestured vaguely toward the kitchen.

Naruto followed closely. "Go ahead, but I don’t think you’ll find much."

Sasuke opened the fridge and sighed.

"What do you mean? It’s more full than mine."

Naruto’s blue eyes widened in surprise, realizing his oversight. "Oh, I forgot," he shrugged casually. "My dad usually helps me with grocery shopping."

Sasuke scanned the small space until an idea began to form in his mind. He knew he wasn’t an expert chef, but judging by the look of Naruto’s coffee table, he was pretty sure his neighbor wasn’t eating in the best way. Besides, leaving home meant becoming independent, and that, in his opinion, meant improving cooking skills to avoid relying on pre-made meals for the rest of his life.

And at one point, cooking shows on TV had been his only company when he moved out.

"Do you have rice?" he asked, and Naruto immediately nodded.

Sasuke carefully seasoned the salmon before placing it in the pan; it was actually quite simple and light, but unconsciously, he was paying special attention to it. Having Naruto’s eyes on him all the time made him feel like he had to prove something.

"I didn’t know I had asparagus," he heard Naruto murmur, and it made him smile. "Maybe I should invite you over more often."

"The only one who’d benefit is you, forget it."

Naruto crossed his arms, adopting a childish expression.

"Well, you’re missing out."

Sasuke was about to tease him for how childish he looked, but Naruto changed his expression, showing curiosity.

"Hey, do you also work on Sundays? I noticed you came from outside; I thought the hours at the banks were a bit more comfortable."

He wasn’t completely sure how to respond to that question. He didn’t want to ramble and end up giving a vague answer. Maybe if it had been someone from his office, like Suigetsu, he would’ve avoided the conversation in an instant.

"I was at my parents’ house," he hesitated a bit on how to continue. "My brother is getting married in the spring."

It was then that Naruto seemed to notice the flat tone with which Sasuke spoke about his family. Unlike other people, he didn’t press him with unnecessary questions.

"That’s great, tell him congratulations from me when you can."

It was the first time he spoke about his family voluntarily, and although Naruto didn’t know it in that exact moment, Sasuke was being strangely honest. He was grateful for the natural way Naruto received the comment, without pushing for him to go deeper into the topic.

Still, he couldn’t understand why he was sharing such personal details with a stranger. Although Sasuke wasn’t entirely sure Naruto was one.

Chapter 7: Small Cracks

Sasuke typed on the computer with the natural ease of someone accustomed to moving in their own world. His fingers moved over the keys with mechanical precision, each brief and dry sound filling the silence of the room. He was unaware of the image he projected: focused, unflappable, as if nothing around him could distract him. To anyone with naïve eyes—like the child accompanying his mother in the customer service line, looking at him with too much admiration—he might even seem like someone worthy of imitation.

It was curious how, even without trying, he ended up provoking that kind of reaction. As if the distance he imposed between himself and others made them see him as larger than he really was. More unreachable. More idealized.

But he knew well that there was nothing admirable in his silence or in his apparent efficiency. It was simply that: a survival mechanism. A way of not expecting anything from anyone.

"Yes, I understand..." he murmured in a flat tone, a note higher wouldn't make any difference.

Mr. Ishikawa's shrill voice broke the fragile composure he still held, repeating for the umpteenth time his mechanical customer retention protocol. Sasuke dropped his eyelids for a second, holding back the impulse to hang up the call immediately. It was part of the job: listen, nod, pretend patience that he didn’t feel.

Pretend... always pretend.

When he finally hung up, he exhaled the breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding and let his back sink into the chair. The computer screen still lit up his face, demanding his attention, but for a moment he allowed himself to look at nothing.

He was tired. Not of working. Of everything.

Being a debt collector had been a practical choice, not a vocational one. It didn’t require sympathy, forced smiles, or that social lightness he never had. Just persistence and a certain level of tolerance for annoyance. Even so, there were days when he wondered how much more he could take.

He thought, almost unwillingly, of Naruto.

He would be better at this.

With that irritatingly genuine energy, with that stubborn drive to never give up, maybe people wouldn’t hang up with such bitterness. Maybe he could, in some absurd way, make even the debtors smile.

Sasuke narrowed his eyes and pressed his lips into a thin line.

Since when was he wasting time thinking about that? About him?

He shook his head, turning his attention back to the endless list of names on the screen. He still had plenty of calls to make.

Sasuke let out a brief, silent sigh. Despite himself, his mind went back to the scene from the previous night: the impromptu dinner with his annoying, loud, insufferably persistent neighbor.

He didn’t want to admit it, but he had been... comfortable. More than he allowed himself to be with almost anyone. Even after touching on a subject he usually avoided—his family—Naruto hadn’t pressured him. He hadn’t tried to dig into his wounds. He simply diverted the conversation to nonsense: cakes, cupcakes, absurd desserts.

For the first time in a long time, Sasuke didn’t eat in silence. For the first time, his home didn’t feel only like a refuge for exhaustion.

And, though he didn’t plan to say it out loud, it hadn’t been bad.

He sighed again—louder this time—and felt Suigetsu move next to him, like a curious animal sniffing something strange.

"What’s going on in that sinister mind of yours?" Suigetsu asked, dragging the chair over to move in uninvited.

Sasuke barely tilted his head, evaluating whether it was worth responding. After a moment, he shrugged slightly.

"I hate my job," he muttered.

It wasn’t entirely a lie. It wasn’t the whole truth.

Suigetsu burst into loud laughter.

"You hate even breathing, Sasuke."

The mockery brushed him without touching him. Sasuke was used to it.

His desk mate raised an eyebrow, noticing something in his hand.

"What the hell is that ridiculous band-aid?" he mocked, pointing carelessly. "What are you? A child?"

Sasuke looked down. The band-aid wrapped clumsily around his right hand. He remembered Naruto’s fingers, quick but careful, placing the band-aid while muttering something about "being careful next time." He remembered how, before leaving, Naruto had forcefully shoved a few extras into his pocket.

The corner of his lips curved slightly—a gesture so fleeting that he didn’t even register it—but Suigetsu caught it instantly.

"Do you know how creepy you look smiling like that?" he theatrically complained, pinching his arm. "I swear you’re scaring me more than usual."

The bubble of calm burst instantly. Sasuke pressed his lips together and leaned back in the chair, hiding any trace of emotion.

Suigetsu furrowed his brow, sharpening his gaze like a vulture.

"Did you meet someone recently?" he asked, halfway between a joke and suspicion.

Normally, Sasuke would have ignored him. Or, more likely, snapped some unsubtle threat.

But this time... he said nothing.

The silence, heavy, almost uncomfortable, was enough of an answer for Suigetsu to sit up straight, now genuinely amused.

"Why don’t you answer?" he insisted with a sing-song voice. "I promise I won’t tell anyone..."

Sasuke scoffed under his breath. The word "promise" and "Suigetsu" couldn’t coexist in the same sentence without it being a joke.

Without bothering to explain, he stood up from his chair.

"I’m going to make some copies," he announced curtly, turning his back to him.

He caught, out of the corner of his eye, the expression of false disappointment on Suigetsu’s face. He didn’t care.

He wasn’t going to discuss his personal life in the middle of the office.

And especially not when, clearly, everything was Naruto’s fault. If he weren’t so absurdly kind and helpful, Sasuke wouldn’t be turning it over in his mind.

Throughout the day, he did his best to avoid Suigetsu, who, to his misfortune, seemed more interested than ever in snooping into his personal life.

Because, even though he wanted to deny it, Suigetsu was right: he had met someone.

"Have a good day, Sasuke," Juugo, the bank’s security guard, said goodbye, one of the few people with whom he could exchange words without feeling like he was wasting energy.

"Rest, Juugo," Sasuke responded almost automatically.

Juugo was different. Part of the same strange circle as Suigetsu, but more... manageable. Someone Sasuke didn’t need to build walls around every five seconds.

He crossed the lobby without stopping and went out into the parking lot. He got into his old truck, started the engine, and let the soft roar of the vehicle fill the space. The traffic in Osaka at this hour was thick, but he preferred the noise of the cars to the incessant hum of human voices.

His drive home was almost a reflexive act: always taking the same streets, turning at the same traffic lights, ignoring the same city hustle.

It was the closest thing to peace he allowed himself.

He forgot, once again, to stop by the supermarket. Not that he had much desire to face the white lights and endless aisles. He seriously considered postponing it for another day—what did it matter?—when his phone buzzed on the passenger seat.

He didn’t even need to look at it to know what it was.

Cool Neighbor Association.

Cool neighbors?

Sasuke barely suppressed a grimace.

Rock Lee, no doubt, had chosen that ridiculous name thinking that by making it "fun" he’d encourage people to participate.

He sighed. He couldn’t leave the group; he’d already asked. The only advantage was that it served as a radar for problems—they filtered all information about upcoming meetings right there, avoiding the need to attend.

He unlocked the screen:

"Meeting at 8. There will be pastries and green tea (｡•̀ᴗ-)✧"

He looked at the time.

45 minutes.

Enough time to arrive, lock himself in, and disappear from the radar.

The goal was simple. Executable.

Until a blurry shape caught his attention as it parked in front of the building.

Naruto.

Carrying a box that seemed heavy, though he didn’t show signs of being particularly burdened by it. Sasuke hesitated for barely a second before parking. After getting out of the car, he found him right at the entrance.

"Hey, Sasuke!" he greeted, that unforgettable smile on his face. "Did you come from work? How was it?"

They walked together toward the elevator. Sasuke thought it would have been better to take the stairs, but it was too late to change routes without looking like an idiot.

Besides torturing me because of you, he thought as he adjusted the keys in his hand.

"Same as always," he replied.

Naruto raised an eyebrow, interested.

"Bored?"

"Bored," Sasuke repeated, not bothering to find a better word.

A comfortable silence settled between them. But not for Sasuke, who wasn’t used to finding comfort in the presence of others. It was the kind of bond that formed without asking for permission.

He looked away, irritated at how easily it had become to exchange words with him. He’d only had a handful of interactions with Naruto, yet it felt like he had always been there, disrupting his space.

"Why do you work in such a scary place?" a female voice interrupted.

"It’s always good to take on new challenges, Tenten!" shouted, enthusiastically, Rock Lee.

Sasuke didn’t hesitate.

He grabbed Naruto by the arm—almost making the box fall—and pulled him into a small cleaning closet near the elevator. He slammed the door shut, leaving only a small crack to listen outside.

Lee and Tenten continued their conversation, unaware of their little escape.

Inside the cramped space, the cardboard box Naruto was still carrying barely separated them.

"Why are we hiding from the guy with the bushy eyebrows?" Naruto whispered.

Sasuke blinked. Bushy eyebrows?

"Bushy eyebrows?" he repeated, as if he couldn’t believe what he was hearing.

"Have you seen his eyebrows? They’re huge," Naruto laughed, barely containing himself.

"Do you know Lee?"

"I’ve seen him at university. We don’t talk much," he shrugged. "So?"

Sasuke pulled out his phone and showed him the screen, still with the message open.

Naruto read it and bit his lip, trying not to laugh out loud.

"I'm not in that group," he complained, sounding offended. "Am I being discriminated against?"

"Don’t worry, you’re not missing anything," Sasuke grumbled.

Naruto let out a chuckle. And, against his will, Sasuke felt his shoulders relax.

When the voices outside faded away, he cautiously opened the door.

"There’s no one. Let’s go before they catch us and make us drink green tea," he murmured, stepping out first.

"But the buns!" Naruto protested, feigning drama. "They’re delicious!"

"Just like the ramen?" Sasuke retorted without thinking.

They took the stairs, leaving the elevator behind.

"No, absolutely not," Naruto complained, pouting.

Why did they always end up talking about ramen? Sasuke thought, frustrated.

"What’s in that box?" he finally asked, defeated by curiosity.

"Oh, just books. My dad sent them from Tokyo."

Naruto, noticing the silence that settled, decided to continue:

"He teaches at the university there. Since he’s busy, he preferred to send them to Osaka and ask me to pick them up."

The silence he offered was his way of giving him space to keep talking. He wasn’t a man of many words; even a simple question was hard for him to articulate. He didn’t find it necessary to say more than what was strictly needed.

Sasuke knew Naruto hadn’t been living in the building for long. Next week, it would be barely a month since he moved in. Although life there maintained a strange harmony, comments—often whispered—about him didn’t go unnoticed: his lack of manners, his evasive behavior, his inability to fit in.

Sasuke didn’t bother to correct them. He never cared about others’ opinions, much less those who preferred to create facts from prejudices. He didn’t see the point in clarifying anything to people who had already decided what they wanted to believe.

Still, Naruto seemed to not fit into that mold. Maybe he was too naive or simply saw things differently, but he didn’t treat Sasuke with the wariness the others did. He didn’t avoid him, didn’t mask his discomfort with forced smiles. To Sasuke, that was... strange.

Maybe that’s why he allowed him to get closer. Not because he wanted to, but because he didn’t find enough reasons to reject him. It wasn’t a friendship, at least not from his perspective. He knew Naruto thought differently—it was obvious in the way he spoke, in the ease with which he included him in his world—but Sasuke had no intention of correcting him.

In the end, if there was one thing clear about Naruto Uzumaki, it was that once he decided something, he didn’t back down. And for some reason he still didn’t understand, Naruto decided to stay.

Chapter 8: Invitation

Saturdays were his escape. Sasuke would lie if he said he used them to have fun like Suigetsu, who got lost in dive bars, or like Itachi, who seemed to enjoy every drink in luxurious marble and glass halls. And yet, there he was: in one of those places he despised so much.

Once again, his mother was the reason he had left the comfort of his apartment. He watched the waiter place a glass of orange juice in front of him. It looked like something out of a commercial: cold, perfect, artificial. The open-air restaurant was frequented by the upper class. Elegant, yes. Excessive, too. But deep down, everyone came for the same reason: status.

"... I just wanted to fix what happened the last time you came home," he heard his mother say, with that guilty tone that bothered him so much.

He didn’t like seeing her like that. Mikoto Uchiha had nothing to do with Fugaku's hurtful words or his outdated prejudices.

"Mom," he said, extending his hand across the table to take hers, "you don't have to apologize for what he said. And certainly, you don't need to come and speak on his behalf."

He saw the sadness cross her face. He sighed.

"I know you wish we could all be together again like before, but..."

"I know. Dad's an idiot."

Sasuke let out a small laugh, and she joined him.

"If he didn’t throw in my face every two sentences how I decided to live my life, maybe I wouldn’t mind going home so much," he paused, narrowing his eyes at her. "But I know you're not exactly happy either."

She huffed. "Yes, but I'm your mother. Even though it makes me... uneasy, it doesn’t mean I’m going to stop supporting you. You’re my son."

He appreciated that more than he could say. He smiled at his mother’s affectionate words, giving her hand a gentle squeeze.

"Working at the bank wasn’t what you dreamed for me, I know. But I’m fine," he lowered his gaze and took a sip of the juice, sweet and cold. "Itachi's doing well at the dealership. You really don’t have to worry about me."

The meal was slow. Plates decorated like works of art and portions so small they hurt. Everything tasted like poorly digested past.

"I remember when Itachi took you out for tonjiru for the first time," she said, breaking the silence. "You came back with broth all over your face, but so happy..."

Sasuke raised an eyebrow.

"Me? Happy?"

Mikoto laughed quietly, almost nostalgically.

"Yes. You had that laugh that only came out with your brother."

Sasuke already knew what was coming.

"Just promise me you’ll make an effort to get along with him."

"It's not that I don't get along with him," he replied, as if it were obvious. His mother’s incredulous look made him sigh. "Fine, I’ll try," he slumped in his chair, feigning indifference.

He wasn’t lying! He didn’t have a problem with Itachi, not really. The problem was that his brother deliberately ignored Fugaku's comparisons, as if he didn’t hear them, as if they were irrelevant. That was what frustrated him.

If only he’d stop being so disgustingly obedient, if he’d pretend less ignorance in front of his father’s blatant favoritism... Maybe then they could talk like brothers. But no. Itachi always had to be the role model. The perfect son. The exemplary heir. And every time Sasuke tried to have a sincere conversation, Itachi ended up asking him to come back home, to work with him, to leave the past behind.

Sasuke just wanted him to be real. To stop acting.

Like Naruto...

He glanced down at his hand. A small scar on the back of his hand caught his attention for a moment.

"Son?" Mikoto’s voice brought him back. "Are you okay?"

"I’m fine," he straightened in his chair. "Why?"

His mother searched for words carefully, as if analyzing every word, maybe knowing that if she rushed, he’d put up an immediate wall.

"I’ve noticed you seem a little different," she shrugged. "I don’t know if it’s a good or bad thing, but... there’s something about you that’s changed. Is everything okay at work? At home?"

Sasuke frowned slightly.

"I’m still the same," he insisted.

Mikoto gave him that maternal smile. The one that, without words, said a lot.

"My love, of course, you’re still you," she tilted her head slightly. "But this version of you has spoken more today than in the last few months."

Sasuke didn’t know how to react. He didn’t understand what Mikoto was trying to say, or maybe it was just his stubbornness preventing him from seeing things.

"Mom, I’m fine, really."

That afternoon, he said goodbye to Mikoto with an unexpected feeling of peace. Better than he thought when he left home that morning. Yet, his mother’s words still echoed urgently in his mind. It wasn’t just about the apparent change she had noticed in him; it also had to do with his brother. He needed to find a way to talk to Itachi, to make him understand that he didn’t need the Uchiha money, or the pressure, or the damn image of the "good son."

And most importantly, to ask him to stop living for others. He was about to get married, for God's sake. Honesty had to be a fundamental part of any relationship. Even he knew that.

When he arrived at his building, he was relieved not to run into Kabuto. He patiently waited for the elevator and went up to his floor. Just as he was about to open his apartment door, he noticed some of his mail sticking out of the mailbox.

He frowned.

Usually, the only things he received were bills and flyers for street food. He grabbed the small stack of envelopes. When he checked them, he wasn’t surprised to see that five of them weren’t his. All addressed to Naruto Uzumaki, the clumsy neighbor next door.

He thought about slipping them under his door, but then remembered that Naruto would probably step on them, lose them, or use them as a napkin.

He knocked a couple of times and waited. Just as he was about to give up, the door opened. And what he saw froze him.

"Yes...?" The person stopped mid-sentence. "How can I help you?"

A man with bronzed skin and a ponytail met his gaze. He had a scar on his nose and brown eyes that looked at him with slight distrust.

"Is Naruto home?" he asked, raising an eyebrow at the other's reaction. "I'm Sasuke, his neighbor," he pointed to the adjacent door.

"Ohhh," the man murmured, turning to call inside. "Naruto, your neighbor’s asking for you!"

Sasuke swallowed as he heard the loud "I’ll be right there, Dad!" from inside. Dad?

"Sasuke?" Naruto appeared, a curious expression on his face. "What’s up? Do you need help with something?"

The obvious concern in his voice made Sasuke’s brain short-circuit. For a second, he had almost forgotten why he was there.

"The mailman made a mistake," he handed him the envelopes.

Naruto looked at the mail with a slight frown, still confused. As he raised his hands to receive the envelopes, his fingers accidentally brushed against Sasuke’s, clumsily. The contact was brief, but enough for Sasuke to glance at him quickly, saying nothing, barely showing a slight curiosity in his eyes.

"Oh, sorry. Thanks," Naruto mumbled, pulling his hand back.

"Don’t apologize," Sasuke said quietly, without losing his calm.

Naruto looked up at him. His blue pupils, wide and sincere, met his.

Sasuke felt a slight shiver. There was something in that gaze — a disarming warmth, one he hadn’t remembered feeling in years — that left him momentarily speechless.

Just as Naruto looked away, about to leave, a deeper voice than the man’s from inside resonated:

"Naruto, tell him he can stay for dinner."

Naruto turned to Sasuke, a little nervous, avoiding eye contact.

"Are you hungry?"

Sasuke noticed the silent plea in his eyes, as if asking him to say no. But the truth was, he was hungry. And more than that, it amused him to see him like that: pouting, frustrated, adorably uncomfortable.

A sly smile appeared on his face.

"Actually, I’m starving," he replied with feigned innocence.

"I’ll get an extra plate," they heard from the back.

Naruto sighed. "Thanks. I hate you."

"You’re welcome," Sasuke gave him a teasing glance. "And you don’t hate me."

"How arrogant," Naruto muttered under his breath.

Sasuke smiled again, and as he crossed the threshold of the apartment, an unexpected feeling of familiarity enveloped him. It was as if, for a few seconds, all the problems had vanished. He didn’t know when it happened, whether it was when he entered, or when Naruto looked at him like that. But he felt it.

His mother’s voice asking if he was okay echoed in his mind.

And for the first time, the answer seemed simple.

Sincere.

Yes. He was better than ever.

Chapter 9: Home

The atmosphere was warm. Not the uncomfortably polite kind one expects when visiting a stranger’s home for the first time, but an authentic warmth, almost familiar. It vaguely reminded him of something he had felt as a child. Though he wasn’t sure if it was a real memory or just an illusion built by his mind.

Two men approached them with a disconcerting ease, surrounded by a friendly atmosphere that seemed strange to him at first. He barely had time to process that feeling when Naruto stepped up beside him.

"This is my dad, Iruka," he said, pointing to the man with the ponytail, who smiled at them with closed eyes, as if he had known him all his life.

Sasuke nodded briefly. He wasn’t particularly skilled at these kinds of interactions.

"And Kakashi... my other... dad," Naruto added, turning to the second man, whose voice he had heard before. He was the reason Sasuke was here.

Just as he’d imagined, he was a bit taller. He had messy gray hair and a calm smile, just as warm as Iruka’s. Sasuke was surprised, but his expression remained unchanged.

"Nice to meet you," he murmured, barely nodding his head. For a moment, he worried about the coldness of his own voice. He wasn’t used to feeling insecure over something so simple.

"Sasuke is my neighbor. He’s kind of reserved, so don’t be so... you," Naruto said, in a tone that was clearly a warning.

Iruka let out a soft chuckle.

"Don’t worry, Sasuke. Come, join us at the table."

The aroma in the dining room was almost overwhelming: gyoza, onigiri, tamagoyaki, and homemade ramen. Of course. Sasuke figured Naruto wasn’t the author of such a culinary spread. Most likely, the visit from his parents had inspired those decent meals he probably only enjoyed once in a while.

"What did you say your name was? Sasu...?" Kakashi asked, eyeing him with interest.

"Sasuke," he replied, anticipating what would come next. "Sasuke Uchiha."

Naruto raised an eyebrow.

"You never told me your last name."

"You never asked," he shot back without thinking.

Naruto stuck out his tongue like a child, and Sasuke couldn’t help but find it amusing.

But the silence that followed the mention of his last name put him on edge. It wasn’t the first time it happened: just saying “Uchiha” was enough to change the atmosphere. He tensed, bracing for judgment, undue interest, questions disguised as curiosity. However, Naruto was quick to notice the slight shift in his expression and avoided saying anything that might make him more uncomfortable, again under that halo of concern that unsettled him. Even Kakashi, who had asked the question, simply nodded. Perhaps because of the way he looked at Naruto.

"It’s a pleasure to have you here, Sasuke," he finally said, and something inside Sasuke relaxed. The change of topic was timely. "What do you do?"

"I work at a bank. I collect credit card payments," he said, while tasting his first bite. He forced himself not to curse: the food was delicious.

"Ohhh, the one a few hours from here? The one with the terrible service reputation?" Iruka commented, amused.

"That’s the one," he replied with a small smile.

Yes, his workplace had a bad reputation. But that didn’t mean it was bankrupt. On the contrary, it still had enough clients to stay afloat, and lately, they had improved service after some administrative restructuring. Though he had no intention of giving a corporate explanation during dinner.

"Naruto told us you helped him rescue a bird," Iruka said, intrigued.

Sasuke turned to him, surprised. Naruto’s embarrassed smile unsettled him even more. He didn’t know Naruto was that close with his parents, enough to share something so trivial. In his opinion, it wasn’t the kind of story that usually came up for no reason.

"Uhm..." He cleared his throat, nervous. "It wasn’t a big deal. He did all the work."

"Don’t be silly," Naruto said, smiling at him. "Without your help, I wouldn’t have been able to do anything."

"How long have you known each other?" Iruka asked with genuine curiosity.

"Since I moved into the building," Naruto replied simply, while tasting his miso soup.

Kakashi listened attentively, smiling. Naruto began recounting how they met. Sasuke watched him from the corner of his eye, quietly correcting the details when they drifted too far from reality. It was curious how Naruto spoke of him with such enthusiasm, as if that first interaction had meant something more. And maybe it had... but he hadn’t realized until now.

Sasuke noticed Kakashi subtly evaluating him. It was clear he recognized his last name, but he didn’t say anything. He didn’t ask uncomfortable questions. And that was... nice. Almost as much as the atmosphere.

He felt comfortable. More than he expected. Naruto’s parents were funny, friendly without invading his space, and Kakashi had been kind from the start, although Sasuke still didn’t understand why they had invited him. Dinner passed with embarrassing childhood anecdotes —courtesy of Iruka— and jokes that made Naruto blush to his ears. Kakashi seemed to enjoy teasing him far too much.

He couldn’t say it reminded him of his own childhood, because it didn’t. But for a moment, he wished he had grown up in an environment like that: relaxed, affectionate. When the evening ended, and Naruto’s parents said goodbye with the same warmth they had arrived with, Sasuke realized something unexpected: he was starting to get used to the company of that whirlwind called Naruto.

As they cleared the table in peaceful silence, he heard a long sigh beside him. Naruto frowned, clearly uneasy.

"What?" Sasuke asked bluntly.

"Did you really think I was a pervert spying on the neighbors?" Naruto looked at him, offended.

Sasuke couldn’t help but smirk.

"What else was I supposed to think?" he said as he loaded dishes into the dishwasher. "You were snooping under my door and I’d never seen you before."

Naruto puffed out his cheeks and crossed his arms in obvious frustration. Sasuke watched him from the corner of his eye while rinsing the silverware, unable to ignore how childish he looked in that moment. It was ridiculous. And, at the same time, almost... charming.

Well, he had a point. It wasn’t the best first impression. He knew it. He had judged him poorly from the start, treated him coldly, even with suspicion. But what else could he do? He wasn’t used to people like Naruto. To the way he barged into other people’s lives with that absurd ease, as if it cost him nothing.

But what Naruto didn’t know was that, even in that strange moment, that wasn’t Sasuke’s true first impression of him.

"And why are you upset?" Sasuke asked, moving next to him to help scrub. "You’re the one who told your parents I seemed like a socially awkward weirdo. Do you see me mad?"

"... No."

"Then...?"

"But I didn’t know how to approach you, really!" he burst out, blushing, as if confessing a crime.

Sasuke looked at him in silence, processing the sudden sincerity. He wasn’t sure he fully understood... but a small chuckle escaped his lips. And then another. Soon, he was genuinely laughing.

The laughter bubbled up before he could stop it. It was brief, almost foreign, as if it belonged to another version of himself he had long forgotten. And yet, it was his. Real.

He looked up and met Naruto’s eyes, watching him as if he had just broken some universal law. Sasuke looked away, uncomfortable, though part of him —a treacherous part— wanted to keep laughing.

What the hell was he doing?

He didn’t laugh. Not like that. Not in front of anyone. He couldn’t even remember the last time he let out a laugh like that. And least of all... over something so stupid. Since when had he let his guard down so much?

It was strange. Naruto, puffing his cheeks, scolding him with that mix of awkwardness and sweetness... he found it funny. He found it endearing. This whole time he thought he’d made a fool of himself in front of him, but now... now he wasn’t so sure. Somehow, without realizing it, Naruto’s words had started to sink in.

Noticing Naruto’s calm expression, Sasuke cleared his throat and forced himself to return to the usual serenity that always accompanied him.

"Don’t laugh at me, dummy," Naruto muttered, looking down while soaping a plate. "You should... laugh more often... you look less grumpy."

Naruto was clumsy, impulsive, and distractible like few others. But something in the way he existed in that small, shared space felt different. And Sasuke couldn’t ignore it anymore: something had changed between them. And it wasn’t an illusion.

Chapter 10: Rest

Sasuke was enjoying a Sunday at home. No worries, no calls from work, no tedious meetings with neighbors, and most importantly: no mother chasing him around with questions about when he would return to the Uchiha residence.

He was comfortable in simple clothes, far from the formal office outfit. He cleaned here and there calmly. It was around eleven in the morning, which was enough to feel at peace with himself. He could tell his mind to relax a little. After all, he had been productive since he got up.

He nodded with satisfaction at the sight of the sparkling living room, dining room, and part of the kitchen. Not every day off did he wake up with so much energy to do housework, especially after such a grueling workweek.

The emptiness in his stomach reminded him he hadn't had breakfast. He walked to the small kitchen and opened his compact fridge.

"No way," he muttered with annoyance, calmly closing the door. "It's empty."

He sighed, frustrated.

Of course, he had forgotten to go grocery shopping. He had been putting it off for almost a week. Though to be honest, fatigue was more to blame than his memory. He looked for his truck keys and grabbed his old wallet—an impulsive purchase from an antique store. He left, and as he closed the door, he instinctively glanced toward Naruto’s apartment.

The memory of the night before came back to him with the clarity of a silent film.

"What are you doing standing there like a weirdo?" the raspy, scolding voice of Mrs. Chiyo snapped him out of his daze. "If you’re looking for Naruto, he just left."

Sasuke raised an eyebrow, curious. He had no idea Naruto got along with the crazy neighbor across the hall… or at least well enough for her to give him information. The old lady went into her apartment and slammed the door so fast that he barely had time to thank her for something he hadn't even asked.

He shook his head and headed to the building’s small parking lot. He prayed silently that his truck engine wouldn’t fail him. He sighed in relief when the vehicle started on the first try. He set off toward the industrial area, hoping to find something decent to eat.

Within minutes, his gaze caught a familiar head of blond hair walking down the sidewalk. Naruto, dressed in his usual casual style—loose shirt, shorts, and a wicker basket in hand—was also carrying several plastic bags that looked like they held food.

Sasuke hesitated.

Only for a couple of seconds, but it was enough. He followed his instinct, accelerated slightly, and caught up with him. He honked the horn a couple of times to get his attention. He rolled down the passenger window and was immediately met with that smile of his—warm and bright.

After his mother, Naruto might be the only person who genuinely seemed happy to see him.

"Not working today, are you?" Naruto greeted at the same time as he did.

"Going to the supermarket," Sasuke replied in his usual direct tone. "Where are you headed?"

"To catch the bus. I’m visiting a place."

That explained the basket. A date? Sasuke frowned unintentionally.

"I can give you a ride," he blurted out without thinking.

The words escaped on their own, like they had been waiting too long. He didn’t feel embarrassed for saying them, but he did feel uncomfortably expectant. Naruto stopped, and so did he.

He watched him silently evaluate the offer. That moment of hesitation tensed Sasuke’s shoulders.

"You don’t mind?" Naruto asked, with a surprise Sasuke didn’t know how to interpret.

Sasuke shook his head a couple of times, as serious as always. He unlocked the door—an unspoken invitation. He waited patiently until Naruto got into the truck. Once he was seated beside him, Sasuke restarted the engine.

He counted one minute, then three, then five. He frowned. It felt strange to have Naruto next to him without saying a word. He was being unusually quiet.

He glanced at him in the mirror, then broke the silence.

"Where do you need to go?"

"Do you know the orphanage just before the busy part of town?"

Sasuke nodded. He knew exactly which one he meant. He passed that quiet façade every morning on the way to work, and again on his way back.

It wasn’t the answer he expected. He thought Naruto would be heading downtown, maybe to a restaurant. But the orphanage wasn’t that far by car. Without traffic, they’d be there in less than thirty minutes.

He glanced at Naruto again, who seemed absorbed in watching the old oaks by the roadside.

"Hey," Sasuke said, lowering his tone slightly, "are you okay?"

It was new for him to worry about someone. Or rather, to allow that concern to surface. But Naruto stirred that constant unease in him, an uncomfortable suspicion that there was something more beneath the surface.

"I’m a bit nervous," Naruto admitted honestly. "It’s been a long time since I’ve been there."

Again, an unexpected answer. No evasions, no white lies, just sincere words that came out almost without thinking. As if he’d been holding them back for a long time.

Naruto’s honesty stirred things in him. Things he preferred not to name. It was easier to stay distant. Be the serious neighbor, the one who helps now and then, who keeps a safe distance. But with him, it had never been easy. Naruto had a strange way of breaking through that distance without even realizing it.

He turned onto the dirt road without looking at the person beside him. He knew that if he did, he’d end up giving in to the urge to say something. Something he didn’t know how to put into words.

Just a few meters later, he stopped the car.

He could have stayed seated. He could’ve said, “I’ll wait here,” or even wished him luck, nothing more. But his body moved before his mind processed it. He got out of the car, walked around, and opened the passenger door. A small gesture. Simple. But loaded with a message he didn’t know how to speak: You’re not alone.

And even though he didn’t say it aloud, even though his face remained calm and his tone neutral, that action spoke for him. Because Naruto made him feel things he hadn’t allowed himself to feel in a long time. Because, maybe, even if he wasn’t ready to admit it entirely, he was starting to care.

More than he dared to accept.

Naruto looked at him with a bit of surprise when Sasuke took a few bags from his hands.

"You’re coming with me all the way?" he asked, still holding the basket.

Sasuke cleared his throat.

"Only if that’s okay with you."

It was more than courtesy. There was something about Naruto. Something that pulled at him like a soft but constant magnet. And this time, he didn’t want to ignore it. He couldn’t.

The silence returned between them, but this time it wasn’t heavy. It was comfortable. A shared space where words weren’t urgent.

They walked along the narrow, bumpy path, under the shade of trees, with the forest’s sounds muffling their steps.

"Remember when I told you I lived in Osaka a while back?"

Naruto broke the silence with a faint smile. But that smile carried something. Like it had formed over an old scar.

Sasuke nodded, without looking at him directly.

"Iruka and Kakashi weren’t always my parents," Naruto said.

The phrase dropped like a stone into water. Sasuke let it sink inside him without trying to stop it.

"I had a father. A mother. At least until I was six. I don’t remember much, but we used to go to Ichiraku."

Naruto shrank slightly, more from the memory than the cold.

"One night they took longer than usual to get back from work. The babysitter got a call… something came out of nowhere, they said. My dad tried to avoid it, but he lost control of the car."

Sasuke remained silent. Not because he didn’t want to say anything, but because of the weight of Naruto’s words.

They stepped on dry branches that crunched beneath their feet, but he kept talking. His voice didn’t tremble. He wasn’t seeking pity. He was just letting out what he had kept in too long.

"I didn’t have anyone else. So they brought me here."

And then he understood.

This wasn’t just a visit. It was a return. Naruto hadn’t come to Osaka out of simple nostalgia. He’d come to face that part of his story that still hurt, even if he hid it with jokes and smiles.

They reached the façade. Naruto looked back at him, and the shadow that had been with him at the start of the trip was gone from his eyes. He looked calmer. As if he had finally let go of a part of the weight he carried.

Sasuke felt the urge to do something. To caress his cheek. Hug him. Tell him that he’d listened, that he understood more than Naruto thought. That he wasn’t alone.

But he didn’t know how.

The large door opened then, and the moment vanished.

A woman with blond hair and a warm expression came out to meet him. Her hug was immediate, visceral, as if no time had passed.

"Naruto," she murmured, emotional. "The last time you came you were thirteen. You look like a grown man now."

"Granny Tsunade… I’m sorry it took me so long to come back."

The atmosphere filled with something different. Familiar. Deep. As if Naruto’s story were being woven before Sasuke’s eyes, and he could touch it for the first time.

"Hey, look who’s here!"

A tall man with long white hair approached with a beaming smile. He hugged Naruto with the same affection as Tsunade, and Sasuke understood.

He understood why Naruto laughed loudly and loved so fiercely. Why he fought not to forget who he was. Because despite the pain, he had known love. Real love. That shaped him. That still waited for him here.

"…verted!"

"Brat, I told you not to call me a pervert in front of guests."

All eyes turned to Sasuke. He straightened instinctively, keeping his expression neutral. But inside, his heart pounded harder than it should have.

Naruto approached him with that smile. The one that disarmed. The one that said more than he himself knew.

"Come on, let me introduce you," he said, taking his hand.

The contact was brief, subtle. But enough. Enough to ignite something in Sasuke that he had been resisting for weeks.

"This is Tsunade. That’s Jiraiya. They’re the orphanage owners. They took care of me until Kakashi and Iruka came."

"Nice to meet you," Sasuke said in his usual neutral tone. But he managed a small smile. Not out of courtesy, but because he genuinely meant it.

"He’s Sasuke Uchiha," Naruto added, hesitating a second. "He’s my friend. We live next door to each other."

Tsunade looked at him with a hint of mischief.

"Doesn’t it exhaust you to be friends with someone so rowdy?"

"Oh, come on…" Naruto huffed.

Sasuke let out a barely audible sigh.

"He’s so exhausting I sometimes need a break," he replied, playing along.

"You too?" Naruto feigned indignation.

"But he’s not that bad," Sasuke added, looking at him again. "Naruto is… fun."

He didn’t say it mockingly. He said it honestly. And it was precisely that honesty that made Naruto blush to his ears.

Tsunade and Jiraiya smiled, exchanging knowing looks.

And Sasuke, without needing any more words, knew that this Sunday had stopped being just another day.

Chapter 11: Secrets

Sasuke stared at the ceiling of his apartment with a furrowed brow, as if hoping to find some explanation etched into the lines of the concrete. He still couldn’t understand how he had forgotten he didn’t have a shift that day. He showed up at the office, and Suigetsu could only look at him as if confusion had taken human form right in front of him. The teasing was inevitable.

Another excuse Suigetsu would use to make fun of him at every opportunity.

Sasuke raised his hand toward the ceiling, letting the rays of sunlight filter between his fingers. Despite the bad moment, his expression was calm. The truth was, he no longer knew what to do with the rest of the day: he had done the shopping, cleaned until his apartment shone, rested enough...

At least physically.

Mentally, he was still exhausted.

The calls at work didn’t help — trying to convince strangers to pay for cartons they intended to squeeze every last yen out of was hell —. The trivial office chats, unbearable. And his mother’s insistent calls, draining. He only asked for a little peace. Nothing more.

He looked with regret at the elegant invitation resting on the living room table. Since he took it out of the mailbox, it made him feel a mix of nausea and resignation. The date of the event. The formality in every word. The damn “two people per invitation.”

It was too soon.

He could endure the looks from the Uchiha, the whispered phrases, the murmurs. He had to, not for Itachi — at least not entirely — but for his fiancé. And for Mikoto.

He got up from the couch, fed up. He looked around for distraction, as if the boredom he felt was the fault of the space and not himself. He exhaled in frustration when he realized it was his own company that was so exhausting.

That kind of thought... hadn’t visited him in a long time.

He went to the refrigerator, resigned, and took out a beer. He knew. He had promised not to drink again for a long time. But the intention to forget his problems weighed more than the idea of continuing to torment himself with his self-destructive thoughts.

How long had it been since he felt so... heavy inside?

He hissed at the bitter taste and stared into space until Naruto’s figure materialized in his mind. His smile. The loose, colorful clothes. That messy hair, as if the wind never stopped playing with it. His voice always a little louder than necessary. The slight blush that colored his cheeks every time Sasuke called him by his name, either angrily or tenderly. His eyes, big, sincere.

It was absurd to blame the beer for those thoughts.

He wasn’t drunk. He was good at drinking. But something was happening to him, something that had nothing to do with the beer.

It wasn’t confusion, nor sadness. It was something else. As if something had changed without him realizing it.

He still didn’t fully understand it. But he was willing to keep looking for the answer.

Soft knocks pulled him out of his abstraction.

For a second, he feared it was his mother, Sakura... or worse, old Chiyo. But when he opened the door, relief was immediate.

He even refrained from smiling or sighing.

“Today I came to ask you a question,” Naruto said, with that smile only he could make. “I just hope you don’t slam the door in my face.”

Sasuke was tempted to tell him he would never do something like that. But it seemed more fun to play a little.

“What will you give me in exchange for listening to you?”

Naruto opened his mouth, but Sasuke raised his hand.

“Don’t even think about saying ramen.”

Naruto puffed out his cheeks, clearly caught.

“We can go eat wherever you want,” he murmured, embarrassed.

Sasuke crossed his arms and tilted his head as he looked at him closely. Naruto didn’t seem to realize what he was saying. Then he noticed the little box Naruto held so carefully between his hands.

“Is that the...?”

“Ah, yes,” Naruto nodded. “Shiro has fully recovered.”

“Shiro?” Sasuke said, curious. “You gave it a name?”

“I thought it would be nice for now,” Naruto replied, scratching the back of his neck with a shy smile. “Besides, we’ve spent quite some time together... and I thought you’d like to let Shiro go with me. You helped too.”

Sasuke nodded slowly, ridiculously touched.

“Do you already know where?”

“Partly, that’s why I came,” Naruto replied, shrugging. “You probably know the area better. I thought you could help me find a good place to let it go.”

Sasuke grabbed the keys from the small cabinet near the entrance and closed the door behind him. Naruto followed him, confused, to the elevator.

“Where are we going?”

“You’ll see,” he answered.

When the doors opened, the wind greeted them forcefully, messing their hair and shaking their clothes. Naruto shivered from the cold but ignored it as soon as his eyes met the horizon.

“Incredible...” he murmured, taking a step closer to the railing. “I thought the rooftop was closed.”

“It is.”

Naruto looked at him, alarmed.

“If they catch us, I’ll say you forced me to come.”

Sasuke smiled, amused.

“I come here when I need to escape from everyone. It’s my hideout.”

And now it was Naruto’s too.

“It’s not so secret if you show it to me,” Naruto said, his voice a little shaky.

“I don’t mind sharing it with you,” Sasuke held his gaze. “Nor with Shiro.”

Naruto looked away, his cheeks flushed.

“T-the wiring is far enough... it’s a good place to let it fly.”

He carefully opened the box. Shiro looked different. Restless. Eager to return to its place in the sky.

“Do you think it’s ready?”

“It’s tried to escape its box many times, it’s more ready than when it was a chick,” Naruto said softly.

The small flutter echoed in the silence, and Shiro’s figure was lost among the clouds. Sasuke looked at Naruto’s face. He smiled proudly. Both stayed silent, watching its flight, as if the bird carried a bit of both of them. Neither wanted to move from there, especially Sasuke, who felt unusually comfortable.

That only left him a few options to name what had been chasing him for quite some time.

“Naruto,” he called.

“Hmm?”

“Come with me to my brother’s wedding.”

Sasuke didn’t know how to hold a trivial conversation; it simply wasn’t his skill. His scarce — if not nonexistent — talent for interacting with others boiled down to saying things exactly as he thought them, without embellishments or detours. And although he already knew it, it was impossible not to notice how Naruto almost choked on the impact. He glanced sideways at him: he was so surprised that his expression completely contrasted with his own, always so serious.

“To your brother’s... wedding?”

He pressed his lips, aware that maybe he had rushed it. Perhaps it wasn’t the best way to say it, nor the best moment. But after everything Naruto had shown him, it seemed fair to reciprocate. He didn’t feel the need to keep anything back, at least not with him.

“My family owns a dealership,” he murmured, feeling the need to explain. “Uchiha... does that ring a bell?”

“The bus passes nearby when I go to university,” Naruto replied thoughtfully.

He lowered his gaze, tangled in thoughts he barely shared with anyone.

“I don’t get along with them,” he admitted, looking at a distant point as if he could sort out his ideas there. “But my mother insists I must go. She’s the only one who doesn’t seem to have problems with... the decisions I made. With the way I chose to live and the person I became.”

Silence hung heavily for a moment. Sasuke felt it, recognized it, and then looked up at him. He hesitated.

“It’s okay if you say no.”

Naruto listened attentively. His gaze growing firm.

“When is it?”

“In a couple of months.”

Naruto smiled, warm. Direct.

“I’ll go with you. If that means I can help you with something... count on me.”

Sasuke nodded gratefully. Because for the first time in a long time, something felt... right.

And that something was Naruto.

Chapter 12: Decision

Sasuke tapped his foot rapidly while biting the tip of his pen between his teeth. That day at work hadn’t been particularly busy. His client portfolio was up to date, he didn’t have too many pending calls, and there were no red numbers lurking on his screen. He even had time to call his mother and assure her that he’d attend Itachi’s wedding and, with a more neutral tone than he expected, promised he would talk to his brother before the big day. He wanted to spare her any distress.

Of course, he omitted one small detail: Naruto would be accompanying him.

His mother still believed he was the same solitary, socially lifeless man as always, and Sasuke didn’t bother correcting her.

He frowned and sighed, glancing at the wall clock. Laughter drifted from the other end of the office, just before Suigetsu approached and sat down with that casual air that was so characteristic of him. He smiled, as always. Sasuke almost rolled his eyes.

He hated that pitiful look Suigetsu always gave him. As if Suigetsu knew something that Sasuke himself hadn’t fully figured out yet. Suigetsu leaned back in his chair, stretching like he bore the weight of the world on his shoulders, and after a pause, dared to speak.

"I know I’m going to regret this later, but..." he announced with a sigh. "What’s wrong with you? You’re more irritable than usual."

Sasuke didn’t reply right away. The words got stuck between his teeth, as if each carried a weight he wasn’t ready to let go of yet. Suigetsu was still there, wearing that resigned expression Sasuke knew all too well. He was used to these silences, Sasuke knew that. And he also knew that, out of everyone around him, Suigetsu was probably the only one who stuck around long enough to notice.

But this time, Sasuke felt a strange restlessness inside him.

He held his gaze. Not like before—not with annoyance or exhaustion—but with an intention he couldn’t quite explain.

That was precisely the part that frustrated him most about not having friends or being able to talk naturally, not even with his own brother.

Well, screw it.

"Have you ever been in love?" Sasuke blurted out.

Suigetsu nearly choked on his coffee.

"What...?" he coughed, trying not to sound too surprised.

Sasuke sighed through his mouth, not even bothering to disguise the question. Suigetsu straightened up cautiously, maybe fearing that if he said something stupid, Sasuke would bolt—and he would’ve been right.

"I don’t know if I’d call it love, but I’ve liked a few girls. I guess."

Suigetsu’s serious tone threw Sasuke off, so used to his crude jokes and unfiltered comments. Sometimes, he didn’t understand why he kept talking to him, why Suigetsu treated him with the same familiarity he showed everyone else, when Sasuke clearly wasn’t the same. He had no intention of socializing, or sharing more than necessary with anyone. He was different, and Suigetsu knew it—and not just because he was an Uchiha.

Sasuke was aware of the rumors about him. He knew people talked. About his name, his attitude, how he often seemed absent even when present. He also knew Suigetsu was aware of all that, but he never used it against him. He never looked at him with that judgmental air Sasuke had grown so used to.

And maybe that’s why he tolerated him.

Suigetsu didn’t seem to want anything. He didn’t force conversations or expect Sasuke to match his energy. He treated him like anyone else at work, even when Sasuke replied with blank stares or awkward silences. Maybe that’s why he kept talking to him. Maybe that’s why he’d invited him out for drinks a couple of times, like it didn’t matter that Sasuke always declined.

"What does it feel like?" Sasuke asked suddenly.

Suigetsu looked at him, wide-eyed.

"What do you mean, what does it feel like?"

"You know," Sasuke cleared his throat a few times, avoiding his gaze. "Liking someone—what does it feel like?"

Sasuke was well aware of how ridiculous he must’ve looked just then. A grown man, sitting at his desk, asking what it felt like to like someone. Ridiculous. Pathetic, even.

But right now, he just wanted to confirm that what he was feeling... what he couldn’t quite name, made sense outside of himself too.

Maybe, if someone else could put it into words, he wouldn’t feel so lost.

"Well..."

Suigetsu scratched his head.

"I don’t really know how to explain it..." he murmured, thoughtful. "It’s kind of... like magic, I guess."

Sasuke raised an eyebrow, skeptical.

"I know how it sounds," Suigetsu laughed, resigned, "but it’s that. Like finding a refuge in someone. Like a relief, a reason to smile at least once a day. And before you know it, you’re thinking about them all the time. You imagine them. You want to be close. And even the ugly stuff doesn’t feel quite as bad when you’re with them."

Sasuke looked down.

"Like magic," he repeated Suigetsu’s words, trying them on his tongue.

A lot of the anger he felt toward himself and everything routine that came with being an Uchiha had slowly faded. That dark stain in his life that suffocated him was being overshadowed by the radiant light he saw in Naruto when they met. Sasuke never expected anything from that encounter, nor did he ask for something to happen.

All those thoughts about Naruto replayed in his mind, just as they had been doing for days.

How he’d barged into his life like an accident impossible to ignore. How, since then, his presence had remained, making the idea of living feel less heavy. He remembered their impromptu talks, the dinner with Naruto’s parents, the injured little bird they’d saved together. He remembered Naruto trusting him with parts of his past, introducing him to important people.

He remembered the smile.

And then he knew: that was his magic.

But did Naruto feel it too? Was there a remote chance that he did?

"Do you like someone?" Suigetsu asked, with the excitement of someone who smells fresh gossip from miles away.

Sasuke stood up abruptly.

"I have to... make some copies."

"You bastard," Suigetsu muttered. "Always the same excuse!" he shouted, but he was already talking to an empty chair.

That afternoon, on the way home, Sasuke thought about what he needed to do. In part, fixing things with Itachi. Maybe invite him to dinner. Try for a decent conversation that didn’t revolve around the family business. He just... wanted things to work, to be normal between them.

He parked in front of the building, inhaling the scent of seafood that always lingered on that street. Everything felt less unbearable than before. Well, everything except the neighborhood meetings.

He quickened his pace, hoping to avoid any awkward encounters with Kabuto or old lady Chiyo. But just as he crossed the entrance, he bumped into someone.

He heard a soft grunt of pain from the other person. "God," they muttered, running a hand over their forehead. "That hurt, Sasuke."

He recognized the voice immediately. And, instinctively, he sighed as a smile began to form.

"You were distracted," he countered.

"And you looked like you were running away from someone," those bright blue eyes stared at him directly. "Are you hiding from Kabuto?"

He nodded slightly. Naruto already knew him too well.

"That guy’s weird," Naruto added, placing the bag he carried into the trash bin. "I hide too sometimes, but I’m not as lucky. Don’t worry though, he usually doesn’t come around at this hour."

Naruto smiled, and Sasuke watched him in silence.

"What?" Naruto asked nervously, noticing his gaze.

"Do you want to go to dinner?" Sasuke was doing it again—speaking automatically and not thinking about the consequences.

He said it without a filter. As always. Typical of someone not used to sugarcoating his words. One second they were talking about creepy Kabuto, and the next... there he was, blurting out a request that didn’t fit anywhere. He wished he could control his words and this new behavior he was still learning to handle, but he couldn’t help it. Not when Naruto was near, smiling at him even just a little.

Naruto froze. His reaction was hilarious.

"Last time, you said I could choose the place," Sasuke added, unmoving.

Naruto’s face flushed with a nearly imperceptible red, and Sasuke couldn’t help but hope it was because of what he’d just asked... that maybe, deep down, he felt the same.

"R-right now?"

"Unless you’re busy," he shrugged. "We can do it later."

He didn’t know where all that determination was coming from. He didn’t usually act like this, but this time, he wasn’t going to stop himself.

He had made a decision—maybe even before he truly realized it.

And Naruto was part of it.

Chapter 13: Self-Control

Sasuke had his hands buried in his pants pockets, feigning an indifference that was far from what he truly felt. He walked beside Naruto in a comfortable silence, as if the simple sound of crickets were enough to fill the space between them. The stars looked sharper than usual, and the waning crescent moon peeked faintly between the buildings.

"Where are we going?" Naruto asked, unable to hide his curiosity. "Don’t leave me hanging," he added with a slight pout.

Sasuke gave a barely perceptible smile and shrugged.

"You’ll see."

He led him to a commercial area near the fishing port. At that hour, the shop lights glowed brightly, and the voices of the vendors rang out as they tried to attract customers. The bustle, the scent of food, and the energy of the people made it feel like a small, improvised festival.

"Wow... look at all those lights," Naruto exclaimed in awe. "I’ve never been here at night."

Sasuke watched him in silence, satisfied. Naruto’s face, lit up by the glow of the stalls, had something... comforting. Tonight mattered. Not just because Sasuke had decided to take a step forward, but because he wanted to see if there was even the slightest sign that Naruto might feel the same way.

The smell of grilled meat filled the air, and Naruto inhaled it with delight. Small plates of vegetables and mysterious sauces decorated the table. His eyes sparkled with hunger—Sasuke could swear he was practically drooling at the mouthwatering mix of fried food and alcohol.

"This place is amazing," Naruto said, his cheeks puffed like a squirrel's. "Sorry I doubted you."

Sasuke frowned slightly. Even a compliment laced with teasing managed to stir something close to pride inside him. How ridiculous. And yet, there he was, chest slightly puffed out, more focused on how Naruto devoured his food than on his own plate.

It was... cute.

A fleeting thought like that would’ve scandalized him once. He wondered when that had changed. He rested his elbow on the table and his cheek against his hand while chewing distractedly, his gaze fixed on Naruto. He narrowed his eyes.

"What’s wrong?" Naruto noticed and set his chopsticks aside.

Sasuke hesitated. He wasn’t used to talking about these things, but curiosity got the better of him. This time, he thought carefully about how to approach the question—especially now that memories of their first meeting resurfaced. What he once thought of Naruto had changed so much that here he was, sitting across from him, daring even to invite him to dinner.

"What were you looking for under my door that day?" he asked, straightening a little to face him.

Naruto pursed his lips in thought.

"Oh, that..." he scratched his cheek.

He slipped a hand under his shirt and pulled out a small green crystal, similar in color to jade. He held it delicately between his fingers.

"I broke it while I was carrying some boxes. I spent hours looking for it until I realized it had rolled under your door."

Naruto smiled to himself, a teasing glint in his eyes.

"I tried to reach for it even though I knew it was way too far to grab."

Sasuke found the gesture endearing. "It’s important to you," he said.

Naruto shifted in his seat and looked at the crystal with a touch of nostalgia.

"Tsunade gave it to me," he shrugged. "It was among my mom’s things."

Sasuke frowned, worried he had triggered a painful memory.

"I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable."

Naruto immediately shook his head.

"It’s fine. I would’ve gone crazy if I hadn’t found it," he said, taking a sip of sake. "I like remembering them. They’re the reason I came back. The reason I decided to finish university here."

Sasuke nodded silently.

"Is that what you meant when you said you should’ve finished it earlier?"

"Yeah. I spent a long time pretending nothing had happened. But eventually, everything collapsed."

He paused, lost in thought, eyes fixed on the meat grilling in front of him.

"I felt guilty for wanting to start over."

Sasuke said nothing. He didn’t want to push him. He just listened.

"I stopped talking to people. I didn’t go out. I dropped out of university. It was a mess. But Iruka and Kakashi were always there. They helped me climb out of that hole, and I promised I’d get stronger."

Naruto’s smile was genuine—and that was enough.

Sasuke watched him in silence. Naruto had been through hard times and still spoke with that honesty Sasuke found so hard to come by. Sometimes, he didn’t even know where to begin.

"Sasuke," Naruto called him suddenly.

He looked up.

"Can I ask you something now?"

"Go ahead."

Naruto hesitated for a few seconds.

"That time on the rooftop, you said you don’t get along with your family... Can I ask why?" he lowered his gaze to the steaming bowl of rice. "You don’t have to answer if you don’t want to."

Sasuke pressed his lips together and looked away, thoughtful. Naruto’s eyes held nothing but concern.

It wasn’t pity or feigned interest behind his words. Naruto had never approached him seeking anything in return, never tried to take advantage of him. At this point, doubting his intentions felt absurd. Especially after he’d shared a piece of his past—what had hurt, what had mattered, and what, with time, he’d managed to overcome.

"My father wanted my brother and me to run the family business after he retired, and I... refused."

"And he didn’t accept your decision."

Sasuke gave a faint smile.

"Sometimes people get obsessed with power. When you have something of value, others just want to get close to take advantage of it."

The resentment bled into his voice, unavoidably. Naruto listened without interrupting.

"I don’t like the way people’s expressions change when they find out I’m an Uchiha. As if I’m worth more just because of that name," he confessed. "They’re always expecting to get something out of it."

He drank in one go. The burn of the alcohol wasn’t enough to wash it all away.

"So I quit. I left home and went on with my life. My father still won’t speak to me, and my mother... she does what she can to keep us together."

"And your brother? Was he okay with your decision?"

Sasuke hesitated. He didn’t know how to answer that. It was true that Itachi had never directly involved himself in the conflict with their father, nor did he comment on Sasuke’s choice to distance himself from everything that came with being an Uchiha.

But he never approached him to talk like a brother, either.

"Itachi... does whatever my father tells him. He didn’t judge me, but he didn’t support me either."

He sighed.

"I’m trying to fix things with him so my mother won’t worry."

Naruto watched him for a moment, then served him more meat.

"You’re a good son, Sasuke. No matter what anyone says."

"You are too. They’d be proud of you."

Naruto smiled at him, and for a moment, everything else faded. Sasuke watched him chew with those round cheeks and thought—without shame—how adorable he looked.

And to be honest, he wasn’t used to having such corny or kind thoughts about others. He had spent too long disappointed by past relationships, avoiding any attempt at closeness, no matter how small. Not out of arrogance, but fear. Fear of being used. Fear of being hurt.

Over time, he reduced himself solely to work, leaving behind any interest in love, leisure, or even his own family.

And now...

He found himself thinking about how to get closer to a disheveled university student who loved ramen and had a spirit that couldn’t be dimmed.

Talking to Naruto, Sasuke felt something close to peace. Maybe that’s why it was so easy to open up—because Naruto did too. They both were.

They rode the elevator in silence. Sasuke hadn’t planned any concrete moves. He’d been too busy watching. Too caught up in that strange feeling that overtook him whenever Naruto was near.

Ding.

They reached their floor. Walked down the narrow hallway. Naruto stopped in front of his door, a little hesitant, but finally exhaled like he was trying to shake off a lingering emotion.

"Good night," he said. But just as Sasuke was about to reply, Naruto frowned slightly. "Oh, wait, you’ve got something there..."

Sasuke watched him approach so slowly it felt surreal. For a moment, time itself seemed to hold its breath alongside him. He swallowed hard, feeling a strange shiver run down his spine. He remained still, unable to react, hyperaware of every inch of space Naruto was closing between them. The subtle citrus scent of Naruto’s hair grew stronger, and it was as if every fiber of Sasuke’s body lit up at once. For a second, he wanted—achingly—to pull him closer, wrap his arms around him, and lose himself in that familiar, overwhelming warmth.

But he didn’t move. He shouldn’t. It wasn’t the right time.

It lasted only a few seconds... but they felt like the longest, tensest, most deliciously cruel seconds of his life.

Naruto finally pulled away and showed him what he held between his fingers.

"A grain of rice," he said with a timid smile, like he felt guilty for invading his space.

Sasuke stared at him in silence.

He was going to drive him crazy. Literally.

Chapter 14: Shadows

The professor’s deep and monotone voice echoed like a distant sound, even though he was only a few meters away at the front of the classroom. Naruto barely heard him. Microbiology was, without a doubt, the least of his problems at that moment... although his rapidly declining grade probably disagreed.

He sighed silently, grateful to have someone like Shikamaru Nara by his side. He knew that if he asked, Shikamaru wouldn’t just lend him his notes—he’d explain them with infinite patience, even if he grumbled about it.

When the class ended, Naruto packed up his things slowly, dragging out each movement. He was so out of it that he only snapped back to reality when he heard his friend’s resigned sigh. He realized he had spent the entire first half of the day on autopilot.

"Sorry, what did you say?" he asked, turning to Shikamaru, who gave him his usual annoyed expression.

"What a drag," the other repeated with another sigh.

Naruto couldn’t help but smile at that. It was such a Shikamaru thing to say.

"You’re more distracted than usual," Shikamaru noted as they left the classroom on their way to break.

"Sorry..." Naruto said, shrugging with a guilty smile. "I was just thinking about some things."

"Does that ‘some things’ have a name?" Shikamaru glanced sideways at him, raising an eyebrow suspiciously. "Don't tell me it’s that weird neighbor again."

Naruto had already told Shikamaru about his new neighbor in the building, and of course, his friend never missed a chance to bring him up. Shikamaru had connected the dots from the beginning: that Sasuke Uchiha guy was the reason Naruto kept zoning out, lost in thoughts that clearly had nothing to do with microbiology.

Of course, Naruto didn’t need many excuses. Studying and sitting still were hardly his strengths—he had no idea how he even made it to the sixth semester of veterinary medicine—but now it was clear that his disinterest was mixed with something else.

"Sasuke’s not weird," he responded automatically. There it was again, defending him like it was some kind of constant injustice. "He just... doesn’t find it easy to talk to people."

They sat at the tables in the open-air common area. Shikamaru looked like he was gathering energy to survive the rest of the day. Naruto, on the other hand, was still stuck in his own parallel universe.

"Then what’s the problem?" Shikamaru asked bluntly.

Naruto looked at him seriously.

"That’s exactly what I’m trying to figure out, Shikamaru."

The well-known phrase floated in the air like an inevitable sentence. Naruto knew it. He knew he could be a pain, that he could be a hassle. He wasn’t a genius—that much had been clear for a while—especially not in microbiology. But at least he was trying to understand what was happening to him. What he was feeling. Something that had been circling in his mind for days, and that, even if he didn’t want to say it out loud, he needed to examine through a lens that wasn’t just his own.

"Just nod if this is about Sasuke Uchiha," Shikamaru insisted flatly.

Naruto pursed his lips and, after a second of hesitation, nodded slowly.

"You’re such an idiot, Naruto."

"You don’t have to say it like that!" he protested, pouting in mock offense.

Shikamaru gave him a sideways glance and sighed with resignation. This level of sentimentality was even more exhausting than having to explain the entire class to him every time he zoned out.

"Naruto," he said finally, cutting to the chase, "what do you feel when you think about ramen?"

Naruto blinked, confused. Ramen? He stared at him... until his eyes lit up with a familiar spark.

"It’s amazing," he said, consumed by emotion. "When I’m happy, when I’m sad or sick, it always tastes good. It cheers me up."

Shikamaru simply nodded, listening calmly.

"I forget the bad stuff," Naruto continued, crossing his arms over the table with a light smile. "It’s like drowning your sorrows in alcohol, but without the bitter taste. Way better."

"Would you say the same about Sasuke?" Shikamaru asked, straight to the point.

The change in tone made Naruto nervous. He froze.

"W-what? What does ramen have to do with Sasuke?"

"I’m trying to help you, dumbass. Just answer. Don’t play stupid now."

Silence stretched between them. Shikamaru knew he had to give him space; Naruto always needed a few extra seconds to connect thoughts to emotions. Acknowledging something as "feelings" wasn’t easy. Especially for someone as thick-headed as his best friend.

He just needed a little push. One more.

Naruto looked down, then, with a smile that seemed to slip out without permission, he spoke:

"I like spending time with Sasuke. He’s always looking for ways to annoy me... and he doesn’t even like ramen," he chuckled softly at the memory. "But whether I’m happy, sad, or feeling down... he can make me forget why I was feeling that way."

Sincerity wrapped around his words like a warm blanket. It was as if, by saying it out loud, he finally understood that this feeling—so simple, so powerful—had been there the whole time.

He frowned, processing what he had just said in silence.

"Kind of like ramen..." he murmured, as if only now realizing it.

"Naruto," Shikamaru called, voice neutral but pointed.

"What?"

"You love ramen."

That simple phrase was enough to make the pieces click into place in his mind. His little confession, wrapped in such a simple comparison, made it painfully clear where his feelings were truly heading.

The rest of the day passed with strange normalcy. Shikamaru didn’t mention Sasuke again or repeat his effective food analogy. However, Naruto couldn’t stop—this time with more force—from circling back to that name. Sasuke. What he represented. What he stirred in him.

Before, he had just been a friend. Someone he wanted to make feel comfortable, someone he wanted to get along with. Get to know better. And it seemed to have worked, but Sasuke’s small, unnoticed gestures left him feeling confused, nervous, and wanting to bury his face in a pillow.

That day, classes ended later than usual. Though a bit tired, he stopped by the convenience store near the bus stop. He picked up a few things: instant ramen, a couple of sodas, and some snacks.

Luckily, he didn’t have a shift that night at his part-time job at the library. He walked sluggishly to the colorful building and sighed the moment he stepped through the main door.

Did Sasuke get home okay?

It was the first thing that popped into his mind. He pictured him already asleep, maybe freshly showered and wearing that serene expression he sometimes had when he was relaxed.

But as soon as he turned the corner, he froze before even getting closer. It was dark, and he was scared, but he was sure he recognized that silhouette. He walked slowly and immediately recognized the figure slumped lazily against the door of the apartment next to his.

He crouched down, setting his grocery bag to the side. He gently tapped the figure’s shoulder.

"Sasuke?" he asked softly. He barely stirred. "Sasuke? Wake up. Why aren’t you going into your apartment?"

"I’m staying here... I can’t go in," he mumbled in a low, hoarse voice. Naruto frowned as he caught the smell, and the slur in his words. He was drunk. Very drunk.

"You can’t just lie here like this. Come on, stand up," he said as he helped him up. Sasuke’s body was warm, heavy, and far too close.

"Where are your keys?" he asked, struggling to support him.

"I told you I can’t go in, stupid blondie," he grumbled with a messy smile, clearly mocking him despite his state. "I left them inside."

"And I’m the stupid?" Naruto raised his voice, scandalized. "You’re the one who forgot his keys!" he huffed, exasperated. "What about the access code?"

Sasuke twisted his lips into a crooked, teasingly charming smile.

"Why are you smiling like that?" Naruto asked, unsure if he wanted to hear the answer.

"No matter how hard I try... I just can’t remember it."

"How can you forget something like that?!" Naruto shouted, completely panicked.

Sasuke, still clinging to what little lucidity he had, immediately covered his mouth and pushed him away with a clumsy gesture, like he was afraid something awful was about to happen.

"Nausea," he managed to murmur.

And that was all it took for Naruto to switch into emergency mode. He didn’t think—he just acted. He helped him walk into his apartment, carrying the grocery bag too, not even caring that he left it lying on the floor by the door. He took him straight to the bathroom and held him firmly, giving him gentle pats on the back.

Without a word, he went to his closet. He needed to find something comfortable. Sasuke wasn’t much taller than him, but Naruto had a habit of wearing oversized clothes, so he picked a white shirt and a pair of gray pajama pants he hadn’t even worn yet.

When he returned, he heard water running. Sasuke was rinsing his mouth unsteadily, swaying slightly. Naruto watched him in silence for a few seconds, wondering what the hell had driven him to drink like that. It didn’t seem like his style... or at least, not the version of Sasuke he knew.

"Use this," he offered the clothes while carefully guiding him to the bedroom. "Can you change by yourself?"

"I’m too tired for that. Just leave me, I’ll sleep on your couch."

As soon as Sasuke tried to move on his own, he stumbled, and if Naruto hadn’t caught him in time, they both would’ve ended up on the floor.

"Just... let me help you, okay?"

The night lamp was the only light source in the room, casting soft shadows across the walls. Naruto moved gently. He took off Sasuke’s heavy jacket, the one with that signature tobacco scent, and laid it carefully over a chair to keep it from wrinkling. Then he loosened the blue tie, now hanging crooked. When he reached the buttons of the shirt, he sighed—not from effort, but from the nerves beginning to crawl up his spine.

Sasuke watched him in silence. He was drunk, yes, but not so much that he didn’t understand what was happening. This wasn’t how he wanted to be undressed by Naruto. And he didn’t want to be the only one not taking part.

Naruto took off the shirt, then grabbed the clean one to slide it over his head. That’s when he noticed. Sasuke’s eyes were half-lidded, and in that gaze—half amused, half daring—there was something dangerous.

Naruto froze.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" he asked, frowning.

Sasuke smirked. And without breaking eye contact, he grabbed Naruto’s wrists just as he reached for the belt.

"I’ll do it."

His voice was soft, but it carried a weight that left Naruto frozen for a second. Not because it was crude, but because of what it meant: respect, boundaries... and maybe a clumsy attempt at dignity.

Naruto nodded silently, sighing almost in relief. He turned around to give him space to change in peace.

"All done," Sasuke said after a moment.

Naruto turned back around and, without a word, helped him walk the few remaining steps to the bed. He laid him down gently, adjusting the pillow behind his head. He sat beside him for a few minutes that felt endless. They didn’t speak. There was no need.

He watched as Sasuke’s eyes slowly closed, as if sleep was finally stealing him away in peace. When his breathing became deep and steady, Naruto knew he had fallen asleep.

Chapter 15: The Morning After

He was a complete idiot. A total, utter idiot. What the hell had he been thinking, drinking like the world was going to end that night? Now his head throbbed with unbearable fury, and the birdsong—far from idyllic—scraped at his nerves like nails on a chalkboard. He didn’t even want to imagine the agony of facing the morning light.

He blinked heavily and focused on the ceiling above him.

That was definitely not his room.

The memories of the night hit him like a punch to the gut: the absurd reason that led him to empty bottle after bottle, the clumsiness with which he’d locked himself out of his own apartment, the shame of ending up stranded... and the firm hand that had rescued him. It was all so ridiculous that his pride hurt more than the hangover.

He let out a groan filled with discomfort and turned his head slightly. The small movement was enough to soften his frown immediately.

Naruto was sleeping beside him, tangled up in an impossible position. His blond hair, messy as ever; his face buried in a pillow he hugged with almost childish protectiveness; a thin trail of drool sliding from his slightly parted lips. A scene, Sasuke thought, that anyone else would consider embarrassing. He, on the other hand, was surprised to find himself wishing he were that pillow—the inanimate object receiving all of Naruto’s warmth and attention at that moment.

He shifted, turning to face him carefully so as not to make noise. The stabbing pain in his temples eased a bit as he took in that relaxed face. Sun-kissed skin, long lashes, strong features. His gaze drifted downward, almost involuntarily, and stopped at the curve of Naruto’s lips. He wondered—suddenly—if they’d feel soft, clumsy, inexperienced... or worse: addictively delicious.

He shook the thought off, but the curiosity throbbed stubbornly beneath his sternum. His eyes moved to the loose, worn shirt that revealed part of Naruto’s collarbones. And with it came another thought: would his skin be as warm and smooth as it looked?

Sasuke sighed in frustration—his imagination was already dangerously close to crossing a line. If Naruto moved a little closer—or if he did—there was a real risk of stepping into territory he wouldn’t know how to back away from in his current state. He forced himself to stay still, though his nerves sparked against his skin.

The blond began to stir, clutching the pillow like he feared someone might take it from him: the only shield between them in that far-too-narrow bed. Sasuke held his breath. And just then, Naruto’s phone exploded with the most obnoxious alarm in the world.

The jolt, the headache, and the narrow bed were a lethal combination: Sasuke rolled gracelessly and crashed onto the wooden floor with a loud thud. A string of curses spilled from his lips before he could stop them. Naruto, half-dazed, shot up with a yawn, trying to make sense of the scene.

"What are you doing down there?" he asked, peering over the mattress.

The blankets had fallen with him and were now tangled around his legs. From that less-than-dignified position, Sasuke wondered—with a kind of dumb fascination—if Naruto’s eyes always looked that blue when he woke up.

"You’re really clumsy when you sleep, you know that?" he grumbled, sitting up with effort and pressing a hand to his temple. The hangover pounded with ruthless force.

Naruto pursed his lips, seemingly offended, though his reply sounded more worried than angry.

"If someone hadn’t drunk like an idiot, he might be sleeping comfortably in his own bed."

Sasuke opened his mouth to argue but froze. Naruto had crouched beside him with an unexpectedly gentle expression. His fingers—light, almost trembling—slid over his forehead and scalp, carefully checking to see if the fall had left a mark. He was so focused he didn’t realize how close they were.

The proximity twisted Sasuke’s stomach, though this time the vertigo had nothing to do with the hangover. He raised his hand and covered Naruto’s, squeezing softly before pulling it away.

"I’m fine," he murmured with a crooked smile. "Just a terrible hangover."

The contact lasted only a second, but it was enough to trap them in a silence that said too much. Sasuke found it dangerous and, at the same time, impossible to break.

Naruto froze, wide-eyed above him. Sasuke noticed how the blond scanned each of his features with an attentiveness he had never shown before: from the curve of his jaw to the way his dark hair fell over his forehead. That careful observation ended in a sudden flush that colored his cheeks, and almost instantly, Naruto pulled his hand back, shaky, as if it burned.

"T-this is your fault!" he blurted out, clumsily scrambling to his feet. "You drank so much you became an unbearable drunk."

Sasuke slowly stood, his head still pounding, and met his gaze with a teasing smile. He enjoyed that nervousness—every stumble in his words, every flustered gesture. Against all logic, he found it endearingly cute.

"But you still took care of the unbearable drunk," he murmured, deliberately closing the distance between them. "Didn’t you?"

Naruto immediately backed away, stopping by the doorway as if he needed an escape route. Sasuke found the image amusing: the boy’s instincts pulling at his heels, like prey alert to its predator.

"I-I’m gonna make coffee," the blond stammered, his chest still heaving.

Their eyes locked for a second longer—a taut thread, full of something neither dared name. In the end, Naruto disappeared down the hallway, and Sasuke exhaled, trying to calm the heat burning beneath his skin.

He took a moment to look around the room: the morning light streamed generously through the window, filling everything with a warm glow. Even with his head pounding, he concluded that this room felt cozier than his own spotless apartment.

The smell of coffee led him to the kitchen. He took a seat at the small bar, silent. Without asking, a glass of water and an aspirin appeared in front of him. He looked up: Naruto was still flushed to the tips of his ears, his brow furrowed in that tiny wrinkle that appeared when he tried to look stern, his lips pressed in a pout.

If they were dating, Sasuke thought, he probably would’ve already stolen a couple of kisses.

He gave Naruto a tired smile.

"Still worried about the unbearable drunk?" he teased, raising an eyebrow.

"You want me to punch you or what?" Naruto shot back, frowning.

"Is that what you’re gonna do to me?" Sasuke replied with feigned innocence.

He popped the aspirin into his mouth and washed it down with a gulp of water. Headache, dulled; amusement, intact.

"You’re unbearable!" the blond huffed. "Even sober."

Still, he made two cups of coffee and sat down across from him, his expression now less tense. Sasuke watched him blow on the steaming surface before speaking:

"You remember your door code or are you gonna have to call Kabuto?"

A wave of shame—and horror—ran down his spine. Remembering his pathetic scene last night made his stomach churn more than the hangover.

"If I didn’t remember, I’d call a locksmith before going to that guy," he growled.

Naruto’s laugh crackled in the air, and Sasuke noted, with some satisfaction, that his comment had hit the mark.

"What made you drink that much?" the blond asked then.

The question hit him like a bucket of cold water. If he’d had coffee in his mouth, he would’ve spat it out. He had no intention of confessing that the trigger had been, precisely, the thought of spending another night alone with his doubts—and other things far too embarrassing to admit.

"Nothing important," he dismissed, too quickly.

"So you just randomly decided to drink yourself into oblivion?" Naruto raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced.

"Exactly like you said."

Naruto’s skeptical look told him he didn’t buy a word. Sasuke, uncomfortable, stood up abruptly.

"Oh."

"Oh?" Naruto followed him with his eyes.

Sasuke paused in the doorway, turning slowly.

"I have to go to work," he announced with studied calm.

"But... your stuff," Naruto stammered. "Don’t you want—?"

"I’ll come back later to see you."

The words hung in the air like an unexpectedly intimate promise. They didn’t sound like a casual “see you later,” but something softer, almost gallant, wrapped in that deep tone Naruto had started to identify as dangerous.

Sasuke walked out with a measured pace, leaving Naruto by the table, lips parted, pulse racing. He realized he was even more nervous than when he’d first woken up, wondering when exactly Sasuke Uchiha had learned to take his breath away with such a simple goodbye.

Chapter 16: Eclipse

The insistent click of the desk lamp wasn’t enough to drown out Suigetsu’s voice.

"Are you okay?" asked Suigetsu, with that mix of concern and curiosity usually reserved for middle-aged ladies catching up on gossip with Sasuke’s mother.

No. Absolutely not. But Sasuke just muttered something unintelligible and kept staring blankly at the screen.

"Of course you're not. Just look at yourself," Suigetsu dropped into his chair with a disapproving click of the tongue. "If you were okay, that paperwork would’ve been done half an hour ago."

Sasuke clenched his jaw. The other man narrowed his eyes, both bold and observant.

"Love troubles?" he teased in a singsong voice.

Uchiha shot him a cold glare over the top of his monitor.

"What are you talking about?" he finally gave him a look.

"Oh, come on, Sasuke," Suigetsu pressed. "There’s no way you’re acting like this over—"

A low growl was enough to cut him off. Suigetsu raised his hands in surrender, but leaned in, that curious glint still bright in his eyes.

"Fine... pretend it didn’t happen," he paused and blinked, leaning closer with hungry intrigue. "But at least tell me who the poor soul is you’re in love with."

Sasuke evaluated him with a sharp look. Suigetsu was annoying, sure, but rarely malicious. And for some reason, he actually seemed willing to keep the secret.

"You can trust me," Suigetsu promised, sealing his lips theatrically. "You can even hit me if I break my word."

Sasuke sighed.

Beyond Suigetsu’s insatiable curiosity, he could tell he meant what he said. Sasuke turned back to the computer screen and started typing rapidly.

"His name is Naruto."

Suigetsu clamped a hand over his mouth to stifle a squeal of excitement. His eyes sparkled with sheer delight at the fresh bit of information.

"Have you told him? Do you talk often? Does he know you exist?" he fired in rapid succession.

Sasuke clicked his tongue and pretended to focus on the screen.

"I know your specialty is running from people," Suigetsu continued, "but you shouldn’t push away someone who’s good for you."

Sasuke’s fingers paused on the keyboard. He slowly swiveled his chair around.

"Good for me?"

His coworker nodded as if he were pointing out something completely obvious.

Was it really that obvious—even to someone like Suigetsu?

"You’re always alone, you avoid people, and it’s like there’s a gray cloud over you all the time," he said sincerely, then shrugged. "But ever since Naruto showed up, that wrinkle in your forehead disappeared."

How annoying that he sounded so accurate… and even more annoying that he was right.

"Naruto must be amazing to put up with your shitty attitu—"

"Hey."

"I’m serious," Suigetsu replied firmly. "Give yourself a chance."

When Suigetsu patted his shoulder and returned to his cubicle, the conversation fell away and the afternoon resumed its usual rhythm: clients lining up, phones ringing, keys clacking. Sasuke kept working in silence, though one thought clung stubbornly to his mind: he needed a chance—and this time, instead of running, he planned to take it.

By dusk, he arrived at the building, loosening his tie as he walked slowly. He glanced toward the reception desk; just as Naruto had assured him, Kabuto wasn’t on shift at that hour. He exhaled in relief and made his way to the elevators... until a far-too-familiar voice abruptly shattered his calm.

"Sasuke-kun!"

The high-pitched, rushed cry froze him. Out of the shadows appeared Sakura, pink hair disheveled and chest heaving. Sasuke instinctively took a couple of steps back while she caught her breath and then stood upright with determination.

This wasn’t going to be good.

"I need to tell you something," she said bluntly, no hesitation.

Naruto’s words—his advice about clearing things up—suddenly made perfect sense. If he didn’t speak now, things would get a lot more complicated.

Sakura took a deep breath, eyes fixed on the floor.

"For a while now..." her voice trembled slightly, "I’ve liked you."

There it was. Unfiltered.

Sasuke froze, no excuses, no escape route. A statue of discomfort.

"Yes," she insisted. "I like you."

He exhaled slowly, pinching the bridge of his nose, carefully choosing his words.

"Sakura..."

"I get it!" she interrupted, louder than she intended. "I get that you don’t feel the same, but I had to say it. I didn’t want to keep it to myself forever."

She lifted her head and smiled honestly.

"I’ve seen the way you look at your neighbor. I know I can’t compete with that."

Sasuke raised an eyebrow. She’d noticed too? First Suigetsu, now Sakura. Apparently, his secret was shining brighter than he realized.

Sakura clasped her hands behind her back, taking on a near-conspiratorial tone.

"You should hurry. Naruto doesn’t seem like the type to pick up on things."

Sasuke nodded, a strange mix of relief and gratitude settling over him. He tried to smile at her, but only managed a clumsy grimace.

"You’ll find the right person," he said sincerely.

She nodded, a little more cheerful now, and walked away the way she came. The weight of the entire day settled on Sasuke’s shoulders like a dense blanket of exhaustion. Without thinking much about it, he entered the elevator and pressed the button for the rooftop.

The night breeze in Osaka blew fiercely, but Sasuke barely felt it. The cold was buried beneath the noise of his own heartbeat; it seemed like fate had brought him to the rooftop to finally force a decision out of him.

Naruto stood with his back to him, hands tucked into the pockets of his shorts. His blond hair danced with each gust of wind, and the sight stirred a mix of curiosity and determination in Sasuke. He approached without hesitation.

"Are you okay?" he asked.

Naruto jumped slightly.

"Y-yeah, I just..." his voice trembled, but he quickly changed the subject with a smile. "I took your clothes to the laundry. You can take them home today."

Sasuke moved beside him, shielding him a little from the wind.

"You're very kind, considering I'm the person who caused you trouble yesterday."

Naruto pouted.

"Can't you just say thank you?"

"Thank you."

Naruto gave him a suspicious look.

"I mean it," Sasuke said, his eyes fixed on him, waiting for a reaction. "Even if you don’t believe it, I’ll be eternally grateful to you."

Naruto blinked, confused.

"Sasuke, I just washed your clothes."

He smiled; that lack of pretense was strangely comforting. He could spend his entire life with someone like that.

"What were you thinking about?" Sasuke asked, still looking at the horizon.

"I came to watch the sunset," Naruto replied quickly. "But I didn’t make it in time, the moon was already out."

Sasuke followed his gaze, intrigued by the view Naruto had been so focused on. Beyond the old oaks, the tall utility poles, and the lights of distant cars on the highway; the scene might have been dimmed by the occasional billboard if not for the oddly bright sky that night.

"It reminds me of you," Naruto said suddenly, a smile on his face. "The moon."

"The moon and me?" Sasuke raised an eyebrow. "She’s far more harmonious than I could ever be."

Naruto puffed his cheeks shyly, rocking on his feet as he searched for a better way to explain himself.

"The moon looks sad most of the time, and a lot of people think she’s cold..."

Sasuke watched him, all his attention on Naruto’s words.

"But she also gives light and warmth to those who look at her. To some, she’s a comfort."

A brief silence. Sasuke turned fully to face him.

"Naruto," he said firmly.

The stern look on Sasuke’s face sparked a confusing mix of emotions in Naruto—confusion, fear, anxiety, and anticipation. It wasn’t butterflies or the stampede of an elephant; it was more like a blender going off inside him.

"If you keep saying things like that..." Sasuke murmured, eyes locked on him.

"Are you gonna hit me?!" Naruto blurted out, taking a step back. Sasuke caught his hand before he could move away.

"How can you say such nonsense at a moment like this?" he whispered, amused.

Naruto pursed his lips like a scolded child.

"I... I just... only..."

"Then tell me—how should I interpret what you just said?" Sasuke asked, still holding on to him.

"Why are you asking?" Naruto stammered, nervous. "Take it however you want!"

"Is it a confession?"

"What are you talking about?"

At this point they were practically whispering, their faces inching ever closer. And even though the silence stretched on, certainty burned in their eyes.

This was his chance.

"I like you, Naruto."

Sasuke had pictured that moment a thousand different ways—in the hallway where they first met, in front of their doors, in the elevator, even at Ichiraku Ramen—never with the icy rooftop wind whipping at their clothes. But there, shivering under the moon, everything fit.

"Sasuke, I—"

"Wait," he murmured. "I’m not finished yet."

He let go of Naruto’s hand and planted himself in front of him, shoulders tense, breath unsteady. In that instant he understood what Sakura must have felt when she’d done exactly what he was doing now. And unlike her, he couldn’t find the words no matter how hard he tried. He took a breath, and the first thing out was a rough whisper.

"Damn it."

"What...?" Naruto looked at him, alarmed.

Sasuke knew he could no longer run from what he felt, but he didn’t want to leave Naruto without an explanation either.

"I don’t know where to start," he admitted.

"You don’t have to if you don’t want—"

"I want to," he cut in firmly. "The problem is you: considerate to a fault, clumsy, distracted, and ridiculously naïve."

Naruto’s brow furrowed, angry and—despite everything—adorably so.

"How am I supposed to respond to that?"

"I’m telling you the things I like about you."

Sasuke watched Naruto swallow hard; he could see the slight tremor in his legs and the rapid pulse at the base of his throat, as if every bit of nerves wanted to break through his skin.

"You still strike me as a socially awkward guy who can’t talk straight," Naruto blurted; the words came out so fast they nearly tangled on his tongue.

The statement made Sasuke frown, genuinely confused.

"What?" was all he managed.

Naruto went on, still tense.

"You always look unfriendly, you say things that make me mad," he paused a beat, "and... you don’t like ramen. And still..."

Sasuke waited in silence, eyes fixed on him, giving him the same open space he always did—the quiet gap where Naruto, sooner or later, finished his thoughts.

"That’s what I like about you," he finished, barely audible.

Sasuke exhaled.

"I’m going to kiss you."

Naruto lost his breath, as if he’d forgotten how to breathe. Sasuke saw the jolt in his eyes before Naruto mumbled:

"You’re going to what?"

"I’m going to kiss you if you keep saying things like that."

Without hesitation, he dropped his small briefcase and stepped close enough that they could stare straight into each other’s eyes. Sasuke carefully brought his hand to Naruto’s cheek; it felt warm to the touch despite the freezing night. The air was silent—neither of them dared say anything more.

Sasuke traced his thumb along the outline of Naruto’s lips, caressing them with deliberate care. He inched closer until their noses brushed lightly. And although he desperately wanted to taste those lips, he didn’t move another millimeter, wondering if he was doing the right thing—wondering if Naruto wanted it too.

That doubt vanished the moment Naruto’s hands gripped his shoulders; being close to him felt like the absurd magic Suigetsu always talked about. Sasuke didn’t quite know how to describe it, but it was the closest thing to waking from a nightmare and realizing he could do anything.

Naruto was the one who closed the gap. Both of them breathed out as their lips met. Sasuke slid his hands from Naruto’s neck, down his arms, around his back, and planted his fingers at his waist, pulling him closer; he’d spent too long imagining what it would feel like to hold him like this.

He smiled against Naruto’s mouth. His lips were soft, a little chapped... perfect.

They moved slowly at first, wanting to stretch the moment and prolong the air in their lungs, but that became impossible once need overtook them. Sasuke savored him, nibbling gently before breaking away and resting their foreheads together for a fleeting pause.

Sasuke brushed Naruto’s nose with his own and, in a barely audible whisper, let out what he’d been thinking for a while:

"If I’m the moon," he murmured, "you’re the sun."

They stared at each other, unblinking, as if afraid the moment would vanish at the slightest distraction.

"Wherever you go, you drag that light with you," Sasuke went on, smiling as a blush crept up Naruto’s cheeks. "You’re warm, full of energy... and even when you’re exhausted inside, you always find a reason to smile and help others without asking for anything in return."

Naruto opened his mouth to say something, but Sasuke sealed any reply with another kiss. Beneath a star-scattered sky, the cold became a distant concern. There was only the racing of their hearts and the faint, shared trembling.

When they finally broke apart, Naruto smiled shyly, though his eyes still sparkled with the same curiosity as ever.

"Are you going to tell me why you drank yourself senseless?" he whispered.

Sasuke answered with a gentle tap to Naruto’s forehead, a touch so soft it barely tousled his bangs.

"I don’t know..." he said, glancing up at the sky as if pondering. "Maybe another day."

Naruto puffed his cheeks, ready to complain, but the words died in his mouth when Sasuke silenced him with yet another kiss—so sweet even the night seemed to hold its breath for a moment.

Chapter 17: Brotherhood

They were walking back unsteadily, almost tripping over one another, fingers interlaced and laughter spilling into the night. Every so often they lowered their voices for fear a neighbor might come out to hush them—or worse, that Kabuto would appear out of nowhere to scold them—but in the end they kept bursting into giggles, teasing the lovestruck faces they caught reflected in the windows. They felt like two teenagers with their first crush.

Sasuke couldn’t remember being this happy since he was eight and his mother gave him the remote-control car he’d wanted so badly. Compared to this, that memory was small: no replica Lamborghini could top the feeling of walking hand in hand with Naruto.

They were reaching their doors when his older brother’s voice shattered the moment.

"Sasuke."

His smile faded little by little at that sound.

Itachi was standing in front of Sasuke’s apartment door, looking tired, his suit rumpled as if he’d just left work. But what struck Sasuke most was Itachi’s gaze fixed on their entwined fingers. Naruto shrank a little under the intense stare of the imposing man.

He tried to let go of Sasuke’s hand out of nerves, but Sasuke wouldn’t allow it, letting him know there was no reason to pull away just because a stranger was there.

The elder smiled, giving a slight nod.

"Itachi Uchiha," he said pleasantly. "I’m Sasuke’s brother."

Naruto swallowed, then smiled back.

"Naruto Uzumaki, his neighbor."

"Neighbor?" Itachi repeated, surprised.

Sasuke stepped forward, cutting in.

"Why are you here?"

Itachi glanced sideways at the blue-eyed boy before answering his brother.

"I wanted to visit. I brought something to drink," he said, lifting the bag. "May I come in?"

Naruto squeezed Sasuke’s hand, getting his attention.

"I... have things to do, I need to study for finals," he said, smiling as if to give Sasuke courage.

Sasuke swallowed; Naruto’s hand slipped gently from his and he walked to his own door, Itachi witnessing the silent exchange. Sasuke sighed when he heard that door close—he didn’t want to end the day seeing Itachi’s face before going to sleep.

He punched in his code and let his brother enter first.

"You’re dating a student?" Itachi asked as soon as he crossed the threshold.

They stood in the middle of the small living room.

"Third year of university," Sasuke replied.

"He’s still a student," the other insisted.

Sasuke shrugged. He took off his jacket, set down his briefcase, and sank into the couch. Exhaustion weighed on him.

"What do you want to talk about? And, by the way, how did you get my address?"

He’d never told his brother how to find his place.

Itachi set the drinks on the small table and sat across from him.

"Mom," Itachi admitted.

"She asked you to come."

Itachi said nothing for a moment and Sasuke thought it must be something serious.

"No, I asked her where I could find you."

Sasuke nodded, a bit thoughtful.

"It’s pretty late for you to be here," he said at last.

"I had a lot of work. I knew I wouldn’t catch you at the bank anymore," he popped open a can. "Listen... I know I’ve been a terrible big brother."

The conversation was turning so serious it made him dizzy, yet he wanted to hear him out.

"And the few times we talked, it was to pressure you to come back," Itachi paused, meeting his gaze. "I’m truly sorry. I shouldn’t have pushed when you’d already made your choice."

Sasuke swallowed with difficulty. He hadn’t expected such a direct apology.

"You have to walk the path you choose for your life yourself," Itachi added with a small smile.

Sasuke pressed his lips together as he sighed.

"What made you change your mind so suddenly?" He shifted on the sofa. "Even if you never stepped in outright, you always seemed to side with Dad."

It sounded almost like an accusation, but it was a question that had been on his mind a long time.

Itachi took a sip and lowered his gaze.

"The day I announced the wedding, you looked sure of yourself." He leaned back. "I remembered the argument you had with Dad the night you left. You said that if he thought you were a child driven by whims, that was his right, but following the path I had would’ve been even dumber. I didn’t want to accept it then."

Sasuke stayed quiet, letting his brother go on.

"Maybe talking now like this won’t make up for all the lost time," Itachi pressed his lips together and took a deep breath. "Sasuke, I want you to understand I’ll always be there for you—even if I’m just an obstacle you have to overcome, even if you hate me... that’s what big brothers are for."

The lump in Sasuke’s throat tightened. He wanted to punch him and thank him at the same time. He took a deep breath.

There it was: what he’d waited for and wanted to hear from Itachi. A horrible weight—one he hadn’t known was there—lifted almost instantly. With that endless calm that always rested on his face, Sasuke sighed and a small smile appeared.

"Don’t expect me to hug you or thank you."

Itachi smirked to the side.

"I deserve that, but... there’s one more thing you should know," he took another swig. "Believe it or not, Dad does worry about you."

"His version of worrying doesn’t interest me."

"One day he’ll have to accept it," Itachi murmured. "For Mom’s sake, if not for yours."

And Sasuke hoped that would be true—not because it would improve his own life, but for his mother, who anxiously dreamed of the Uchiha family making peace. Even if it became burdensome later, he was willing to discuss it calmly for Mikoto’s peace of mind.

Truth be told, Sasuke didn’t need anyone’s approval—least of all his family’s. Because now he felt his life was complete. It didn’t matter what junk he drove, the cubicle he sat in every day, his tiny room in the building, or the suffocating smell of seafood drifting through his window.

Everything was fine as long as, at the end of the hallway, that ray of light was waiting.

"Now, for the love of everything holy, pleeease," Itachi set down the can and looked at him with childlike curiosity. "Who is that neighbor of yours? Don’t think I missed how you two looked at each other."

The holiest lived just a few steps away.

"He already told you—his name is Naruto Uzumaki."

Itachi raised his eyebrows, unsatisfied.

Sasuke sighed.

"He moved in a few months ago," Sasuke explained with a shrug. "We met, and now we’re dating. The end."

"How boring you are, little brother."

The younger rolled his eyes and chose to stare at his small coffee table.

"Come on, you can do better. Details—what’s so interesting about that college kid?" Itachi took another drink. "And yes, I’m still uneasy that he’s a student."

"It’s only a few years’ difference... and he doesn’t annoy me like other people do."

A not-so-subtle jab. He hoped it would be enough for his brother to leave so he could get back to Naruto—probably to continue the kissing, cuddling, and all those cheesy things couples do.

"What do you mean, he doesn’t annoy you?"

Mission failed—idiot.

Actually, at first he’d thought Naruto was annoying, but not because he truly was like other people; rather because...

"He really wanted to get to know me," he finally answered, lowering his voice.

A brief silence settled. Sasuke was startled by an odd sense of calm: after so much darkness, he’d stared straight at the sun... and hadn’t been burned.

Chapter 18: Everything Changes

It was early morning, still a couple of hours before he had to head to the bank. Sasuke got out of bed without trouble—unusual for him. The sunlight slipping through the curtains wasn’t irritating like other times; it was warm, almost comforting. His body didn’t ache like it belonged to an eighty-year-old man—no stiffness in his back, no sharp pains in his neck. And for the first time in a long while, he didn’t feel that constant, shapeless weight pressing down on him, urging him to hate the world.

He showered calmly. Got dressed without rushing. There was no urgency, no burden on his shoulders. It was as if, after years of running aimlessly, he’d finally hit pause. He made breakfast of his own will—something simple but filling—and halfheartedly skimmed the news on his phone. Same old story. Corrupt politicians, unstable markets, a world just as screwed up as it was two months ago.

And yet, he had changed.

The shadow that was Itachi, the weight that clung to him like a second skin for years, now felt like a blur in the rearview mirror. Still there, but powerless. No longer dragging him down.

Suddenly, reading the news became too boring, so he focused on his food. He frowned at it. Ate slowly and looked around. A shiver ran through him, and he set his chopsticks down.

Were these the consequences of mutual love?

It felt like a bad joke. Everything was disgustingly pink and dreamy. He was becoming exactly the kind of love-struck idiot he’d always tried to avoid being. Even Itachi, at his most lovesick with his fiancé, hadn’t fallen this far... or had he?

Now he was doing things that never would’ve crossed his mind before, especially back in the days when he couldn’t stop cursing his life, his job, his family, the absurd expectations of being an adult. Everything used to feel like a burden. And yet...

He never ate breakfast. But today, he’d made his food gladly, like it was the most natural thing in the world. He didn’t wake up with sore muscles—a miracle, considering how often he woke up with his neck or back in pieces lately. The morning light didn’t feel cruel or hostile like always. It felt warm. Almost welcoming. He could even swear his alarm sounded like a divine blessing instead of the screeching hell-noise that yanked him out of sleep every morning.

It was absurd. Completely absurd.

And yet, he was living a perfect day. A day that didn’t even feel like his.

A soft knock on the door pulled him out of his little daze. Still a bit disoriented, he got up calmly and went to open it, not expecting that the cause of his existential crisis would be standing on the other side.

"Sasuke!" Naruto greeted him with enthusiasm, though his expression quickly turned to concern. "Are you okay?"

Sasuke nodded a couple of times, brushing it off while trying to collect his thoughts.

"I'm fine," he replied, meeting Naruto’s eyes—and the moment he did, he felt his breath settle.

Now that Naruto was here, right in front of him, everything felt like it was in its rightful place.

The blond shook his head, as if just remembering why he came. "Ah, right," he muttered, mostly to himself, but Sasuke caught every word. "I thought maybe you'd want to have dinner after work... And before you say anything, I swear it won’t be ramen!"

It took Sasuke a moment to process what he’d just heard. Not so much because of the invitation itself, but because Naruto had taken the time to leave his apartment, stand in front of his door, and say it to his face. Sasuke wasn’t sure if that confirmed they were dating or not. Technically, they hadn’t discussed it... but it was obvious something existed between them. Something real. Right?

Naruto was still standing there, fidgeting nervously, as if waiting for a response Sasuke didn’t yet know how to give. And suddenly, Sasuke realized he was staring silently, maybe for too long, and that was probably making Naruto more anxious than he meant to.

"Why aren't you saying anything?" He finally blurted out, a mix of awkwardness and anxiety written so clearly across his face it was almost endearing.

Sasuke didn’t answer. He just observed him calmly, letting his eyes slowly travel down the figure in front of him. Naruto dropped his gaze too, unable to hold his stare, and focused instead on Sasuke’s work suit like it was an urgent distraction.

Sasuke noticed everything.

Then Naruto looked up, as if about to say something, but instead furrowed his brows and stepped a little closer.

"You totally drop that whole mysterious-guy act, you know?" he murmured, then without warning, leaned in and pointed something out on his clothes. "Look, you’ve got rice on your shirt again," he said, feigning annoyance. "You eat like a kid."

Sasuke looked down and saw the tiny grain stuck to his white shirt. An identical scene to that night—like a perfectly choreographed déjà vu. And for some reason, the idea that Naruto remembered it so clearly made his chest tighten a bit.

He was falling under that spell again, caught in those sapphire-blue eyes that always seemed to speak straight to his soul. He lost control the exact moment Naruto, in that barely audible voice, had asked him to have dinner. And now he was smiling at him like that... like he knew exactly what he was doing to him.

He didn’t give himself time to think. Sasuke simply pulled him in, gripped his lower back firmly, and pressed his lips to his, driven by an impulse he didn’t fully understand and didn’t care to resist. Naruto barely had time to open his eyes in surprise before Sasuke dragged him inside, never letting go.

The door shut hard behind them.

He gently cornered him between the wooden surface and his body, letting their shared heat mingle. His lips left Naruto’s only to trail slow, deliberate kisses along his jawline before returning to his mouth, this time slower, more controlled.

Just a little longer.

Naruto took a breath, shaky and shallow, once he had the space to do so. His face was flushed, caught in that confused, blushing expression, trying to find the words...

"What are you doing?" Naruto whispered, voice still breathless.

They were still too close. He could feel his breath against his skin, and Sasuke had no intention of pulling away.

"I couldn’t resist," he replied honestly.

"You couldn’t resist?" Naruto raised an eyebrow, like that explained nothing, and made a half-hearted attempt to pull away.

Sasuke tightened his grip slightly—not forcefully, just enough to make it clear he wasn’t letting go.

"It’s your fault."

Naruto looked at him again, curiosity gleaming in his eyes as he let out a small laugh.

"What are you even talking about?"

Sasuke held his gaze and, for the first time, said it out loud. A phrase he never imagined himself saying, not even as a joke.

"You’re adorable."

And though the words tasted sweet in his mouth, he was still wondering how he’d gotten there. How the hell he’d turned into someone who could say things like that without biting his tongue.

He never imagined himself saying such a collection of sappy lines. At some point, he’d resigned himself to ending up alone, buried in work, aging in silence until he turned into that stereotypical grumpy guy in movies—the one who complains about everything and won’t let anyone touch his newspaper.

Yeah, that guy. Even grumpier than old lady Chiyo. If that was even possible.

"And how exactly is that my fault?" Naruto complained, incredulous but clearly intrigued.

"I don’t know... Want to find out?" Sasuke narrowed his eyes, fully aware of what he was about to say.

He leaned in, brushing his mouth against Naruto’s just enough to tease, and whispered:

"Do you want me to kiss you again?"

And of course he did. Right until Naruto forced some distance between them, fleeing toward the door while accusing him of being too much of a distraction. Sasuke let himself be pulled away without putting up much of a fight, satisfied.

He wouldn’t call it a waste of time. Not when the blush on Naruto’s face lingered just as much as the warmth in his chest. Not when, before leaving, he’d accepted his invitation to dinner.

The rest of the day was... pleasant. Which, coming from him, was basically a miracle.

The bank was the same as always. Endless lines, routine complaints, the occasional customer with dictator delusions. But it didn’t get to him. Not like before. He kept calm, even when spoken to condescendingly. And that didn’t go unnoticed.

"You’ve got that look of someone in love—no one can wipe it off your face," Suigetsu’s teasing voice rang from across the desk. "I swear, someone could punch you straight in the face, and you’d still have that dumb smile."

Sasuke didn’t reply. Didn’t even bother to look up.

"But I’m happy for you," Suigetsu added, more sincerely this time.

Well. Maybe Suigetsu wasn’t as unbearable as he thought.

Chapter 19: First Times

He’d been debating between two trays of meat for over five minutes. His brow slightly furrowed, eyes focused as if he were choosing between saving the world or letting it burn. To anyone watching, he looked completely consumed by a life-or-death decision.

The person next to him, however, didn’t share the dramatics.

"For the love of God..." Shikamaru muttered with a sigh, pure annoyance written across his face. "Can we go already?"

Naruto didn’t even flinch.

"Hey, Shikamaru..." he began, his tone completely detached from the other’s impatience. "Which one do you think is better?" He held up the trays like museum pieces.

Shikamaru looked at him with that usual blend of disbelief and resignation.

"It’s the same brand, Naruto."

"The same...?" he whispered, examining them like he’d just uncovered a betrayal.

Shikamaru exhaled sharply and crossed his arms, leaning against the cart.

"And can you tell me why we’re even here in the first place?" Naruto still hadn’t decided. "Besides, you don’t even cook."

"That was uncalled for," Naruto pouted, clearly offended. "I’ve gotten better. A little."

"You do know we’re skipping our last class of the day, right?" Shikamaru added tiredly, already knowing his words were wasted. "And you’re always saying Yamato-sensei scares you."

Naruto let his shoulders drop dramatically. His eyes filled with exaggerated, glimmering sadness, perfectly crafted to trigger guilt.

And it worked.

"Don’t blackmail me with those puppy eyes," Shikamaru grumbled, tilting his head.

"Come on, don’t be a bad friend," Naruto insisted, wearing that expression capable of breaking down even the most stubborn will.

Shikamaru sighed, defeated.

"Fine, fine. Whatever. Just stop pestering me." He stepped in and grabbed one of the trays without even glancing at it. "Take this one. Looks fresh and not too expensive."

Naruto smiled like he’d just won the most important battle of his day.

In truth, he did know why they were here, wasting class time at a supermarket, choosing meat and vegetables with ridiculous seriousness. A few days ago, Naruto had pulled Shikamaru aside, barely containing his excitement, and confessed that something was happening between him and his mysterious neighbor... something that felt like a relationship. So no, Shikamaru couldn’t leave him alone with his nerves and high hopes. Not when Naruto had that dumb smile on his face that even Yamato’s threats couldn’t wipe off.

They finally pried themselves away from the meat section and, satisfied, headed to the checkout. Naruto’s heart pounded, not because of the grocery run itself, but because of what came after. He had no idea how Sasuke would react when he tasted his attempt at dinner. He wanted to cook something simple, but tasty. Something that wasn’t just filling but looked good on a plate. Something that said I care about you without sounding too cheesy.

He thanked Shikamaru for coming with him, promising he owed him—a promise both knew he’d probably forget. They said goodbye after reminding each other to ask about the homework Yamato had assigned and, above all, to avoid pissing him off in the next class.

With bags in hand and excitement swirling in his chest, Naruto made his way home. He was pretty sure Sasuke wasn’t there yet, and that gave him time. Time to prepare everything calmly, so it wouldn’t be obvious he was nervous out of his mind. Time to mess up a little and fix it before disaster struck.

And while Naruto threw himself into a new battle in the kitchen, somewhere else in the city, Sasuke was lost in his own thoughts. Evening had finally fallen, and with it, the flow of customers at the bank had started to slow.

Suigetsu watched him play with his pencil, passing it from hand to hand like the constant motion might calm the anxiety that betrayed him while he mentally counted the minutes left before he could leave.

"Why so anxious?" he asked, turning into the nosy office gossip he always was.

Sasuke shot him a look that said more than any words. He was searching for a hidden meaning, a trap in Suigetsu’s seemingly innocent tone. But for once, he let it slide. Suigetsu had kept his promise not to say anything, so he could afford to share a little—just a little.

"He invited me to dinner."

That was enough.

Suigetsu clapped enthusiastically and shot out of his chair like he’d just been given the best news all month.

"That’s my boy!" he said, patting Sasuke on the shoulders with an over-the-top proud smile, like he’d actually earned credit for it. "Don’t forget to bring him something. I bet he’ll love that."

"Something?" Sasuke repeated, visibly confused. "Like what?"

Suigetsu scoffed and rolled his eyes. "It’s obvious you’ve got zero experience in this."

Sasuke threw him a sharp glare, as if that were a personal insult. It wasn’t his fault he’d spent the last ten years prioritizing his career, steering clear of anything involving emotional bonds, social commitments, or even forced small talk. He’d run from his family, avoided most of the bank’s staff, though clearly that hadn’t worked with Suigetsu, and pretended not to see his neighbors unless absolutely necessary.

Romance was at the bottom of his priority list. Sharing the last rung of his needs pyramid with family gatherings and any non-obligatory social event. It had always been just him, alone, accompanied by a silent routine that stretched from the brightest days to the coldest nights.

Pathetic. He knew. But it was his way of living.

"Don’t make that face. You look depressingly tragic," Suigetsu commented with his usual light tone. "I’ll help you."

Sasuke sighed and crossed his arms, still watching him.

"And how do you plan to do that?"

"I’m going to assume this is your first official date," he declared like a wise old man. "And by something, I mean a surprise. A gesture. A gift."

As much as he tried not to take it seriously, Suigetsu’s words planted themselves in his mind and refused to leave. They played on repeat, as if trying to convince him the gesture mattered—that he should do something.

On his way home, he rolled down the window of his old pickup, hoping the night air would clear some of the fog Suigetsu had left in his thoughts.

The red glow of a traffic light painted his face steadily. Sasuke turned his gaze briefly to the storefronts lining the street. That’s when he saw a small, brightly lit stand. Modest, but eye-catching enough to grab his attention at the exact right moment.

He didn’t need to think about it long.

After a quick stop, he finally arrived at the dimly lit apartment complex. Under his arm, he carried his improvised "surprise." He wasn’t particularly creative or romantic, and what he’d picked felt so cliché he almost regretted buying it. Still, he promised himself next time he’d do better. He stepped into the elevator with his heart pounding, surprised by the unfamiliar thrill.

After all, he wasn’t used to the routine of bittersweet romance.

The elevator doors opened with a soft metallic chime that echoed down the empty hallway. He walked at an even pace, recognizing every step until he stopped in front of a door that, just days ago, had belonged to only his neighbor.

He knocked twice. Instantly, he heard rushed footsteps on the other side.

"Sasuke!" Naruto exclaimed as he opened the door, wearing a smile that could tear down any wall.

He was in loose clothes, his hair a mess, even more tousled than it had been that morning when he’d shown up at Sasuke’s door. Sasuke stared at him, unmoving for a moment.

It was as if time had stopped. Or worse, as if he’d stepped into another dimension, one where only Naruto existed. Where only he could make him feel this way.

"Come in, please," the blond said, taking him by the arm and pulling him inside. "Let me help you with that," he added more softly, taking his briefcase and the coat draped over his arm.

Sasuke looked at him again, as if the previous times hadn’t been enough. Naruto carefully placed his things on the coat rack by the entrance.

Was this normal in relationships? Having someone waiting for you?

"Oh, I brought this for you," he finally said, drawing the attention of those blue eyes.

He held out the small bouquet.

Naruto took it into his hands, clearly surprised.

"Sunflowers?"

He smiled, a little shyly.

"It’s the first time someone’s given me flowers."

"It’s the first time I’ve given someone flowers."

The pretty blond immediately stepped closer, and before Sasuke could react, stood on his toes and planted a kiss on his cheek. He smiled again, and Sasuke’s heart skipped a beat, thudding in his chest like it was trying to escape, searching for a safe place to process what had just happened.

It was ridiculous. So sweet.

"Don’t just stand there," Naruto said with a playful grin, pouting as he tugged at his arm. "Come sit down. This time, I made dinner," he added with a proud tone that reached all the way to his ears.

The small table was set with several dishes, each one arranged with more care than Sasuke would’ve expected. He felt a mix of curiosity, hunger, and a tenderness that caught him off guard.

"Tonkatsu?" he asked, recognizing the dish at a glance. "I thought you didn’t know how to cook."

Naruto puffed his cheeks, offended.

"Why would you think that?"

Sasuke smirked slightly, ready to tease him a little.

"The first time I came over, your living room looked like a shrine to instant ramen," he paused briefly to gauge his reaction. "And you’re so scatterbrained you didn’t even realize your fridge was full—or that you had asparagus."

The flush crept up to Naruto’s ears.

"I’ve been teaching myself."

"Teaching yourself?" Now he had Sasuke’s full attention.

"The first time you came over," Naruto repeated deliberately, emphasizing each word, "you cooked for both of us."

He looked down.

"I thought it’d be nice to do the same."

Sasuke felt a sigh get caught in his chest. He couldn’t believe how fucking adorable he was. It wasn’t fair. So incredibly unfair.

To him. And to his poor heart.

"Can I kiss you?"

"Stop that," Naruto was visibly flustered, like every time Sasuke hit him with something like that out of nowhere.

"Don’t worry," he murmured softly, like sharing a secret. "I’ll let you eat first."

Naruto stuffed a piece of meat in his mouth with mock irritation. Irritated because he didn’t know what to do with Sasuke when he got like this. Sometimes he was so quiet, and other times...

"Oh... this..." Sasuke tasted the cabbage with sauce and meat.

"What? Is it bad?" Naruto immediately worried. "I’m better with desserts," he admitted in a near whisper.

"It’s delicious."

"Really?" his eyes sparkled.

Sasuke leaned in, cupped his cheek gently, and kissed him. It was a slow kiss, full of affection.

"You said we were going to finish dinner," Naruto mumbled.

Sasuke couldn’t help stealing another kiss.

And he could only smile at him.

Naruto’s warm and easygoing nature eased the tension that usually came with love, with being with someone, a tension Sasuke never really understood. But if it all came from him, if it was about seeing that smile... then everything would be okay.

He knew it from the moment he saw that flower stand, with the sunflowers standing out among the rest. That was when he understood. What started as admiration had turned into love. Sunflowers represented happiness, warmth, that constant need to face the sun.

That’s what Naruto was to Sasuke. And he wanted to treasure him forever.

Chapter 20: Bonds

The soundtrack of an action movie echoed in the background, barely audible between the gunshots and inconsequential dialogue. The lights were dim, and pretending they were paying attention would have been a complete lie. Outside, the rain had been falling steadily for a couple of hours, and the drop in temperature became evident every time Naruto shivered. All it took was for Sasuke to slide the icy tip of his nose along his neck or for his equally cold hand to slip under his shirt with the same softness as his breath.

His lips moved slowly against Naruto’s, in a calm, rhythmic motion. He kissed him patiently, as if he had all the time in the world. He caressed his back, scattered damp kisses over his cheek, and paused for a moment at his neck, savoring the warmth he found there, before returning to the starting point, where their mouths met again and again.

"Wait..." Naruto murmured against his lips, holding back a laugh with those lips Sasuke found so hard to ignore. "That tickles... and your hands are freezing," he said, fingers tangling in Sasuke’s black hair.

"In that case..." Sasuke whispered near his ear, barely brushing the skin, "you should help me warm up."

And he slid his hands back under his shirt, with that calm of his that wasn’t indifference, but control. Naruto squirmed on top of him, letting out an uncontrolled laugh, so free that even Sasuke found it impossible not to smile a little.

Sasuke felt whole. At peace with himself. For the first time in a long while, he was happy with where he was, with what he was doing, and—most of all—with the person currently sitting on his lap.

And yet, just as he was about to kiss Naruto again, when he thought nothing and no one could interrupt that moment, a couple of knocks on the door burst his bubble.

Naruto smiled at him sweetly and placed both hands on his shoulders.

"I’ll be right back," he said, before getting up lightly.

Sasuke let out a silent sigh, resigned. The universe, once again, was stealing away his incredible makeout session.

He heard the familiar sound of the latch sliding, followed by the soft creak of the door opening. He wasn’t expecting anything out of the ordinary, maybe an annoyed neighbor complaining about the movie volume. But then he heard Naruto’s excited shout, and a name he didn’t like at all:

"Gaara!"

"Hey, Naruto."

Sasuke instinctively turned and frowned. A redhead, who didn’t bother hiding his confidence, was hugging his boyfriend like no time had passed. Sasuke’s brow furrowed with unease. He knew what that meant.

He didn’t say anything. He didn’t move from his spot. He chose to watch from a distance, without interfering. It was enough to hear the surprised tone in Naruto’s voice to know they hadn’t seen each other in a long time, and that reunion held a weight he didn’t share.

Reunions made him uncomfortable. Even more so when he had no connection to the people involved.

He leaned back on the couch and closed his eyes, trying to focus on the calm he’d felt seconds before. He just needed to wait for Naruto to finish the greetings and all those social formalities that had never made much sense to him.

That way, he could return to his arms more quickly.

"What are you doing here?" he heard Naruto say, a mix of joy and surprise. "Oh, that’s right!" he exclaimed a few seconds later, as if something—or someone—had just crossed his mind.

"Granny Chiyo," they both said at the same time.

Sasuke opened his eyes, not because he wanted to, but because disbelief forced him to. His body tensed as that simple phrase confirmed one of his suspicions: of course Naruto and that eccentric old woman had known each other for a long time. But that wasn’t the real problem.

"Actually," he heard Gaara say, and Sasuke rolled his eyes despite himself. He knew perfectly well that actually would bring the reason for this irritating interruption. "She’s the one who insisted I come say hi."

Sasuke mentally chanted hurry up over and over to Naruto.

He wanted him to come back. He needed him close again.

"I’ll only be here for a couple of days, and she asked me to invite you to dinner."

That was a whole new level. It made him sit up straighter, almost without realizing it.

"Dinner?" Naruto sounded genuinely surprised. "You mean... with Granny? The three of us?"

Sasuke curved his lips into a brief smile.

"Yeah... Grandma Chiyo wants it to be like old times, before I leave."

It was a home run for Uchiha Sasuke. The wild cheers of an imaginary crowd echoed just for him.

Naruto didn’t turn down the invitation as Sasuke had feared. Instead, he naturally accepted dinner with the crazy neighbor across the hall. Gratefully, Sasuke celebrated internally when Gaara finally began to say goodbye, and he let out a much more relaxed sigh when he heard the door close behind him.

He returned to the couch and plopped down beside him. Naruto turned up the volume on the TV out of habit, though it no longer mattered. The movie credits were rolling across the screen, one after another, with neither of them really paying attention.

"Who’s Gaara?" Sasuke asked.

He wasn’t the gossiping type, just curious. And to him, that was very different.

"We studied together at Tokyo University," Naruto replied. There was a brief silence after, one they both understood without needing to say anything. "But he wasn’t in veterinary school. He treats people."

Great, Sasuke thought, though the thought wasn’t honest at all.

"Is that why you get along with old lady Chiyo?"

Naruto looked at him, surprised.

"I saw you two talking a couple of times while you were taking out the trash," Sasuke added, casually.

"Gaara and I used to have lunch at her place, but she decided to move back here because it’s quieter than the city," Naruto explained, shrugging with a smile. "She’s the one who told me the apartment next door was available."

Double great, Sasuke thought. Though this time, he meant it. He pulled Naruto’s warm body toward him, settling him against his chest. He held him there with an almost instinctive calm.

"Maybe I should thank her," he said suddenly.

"What? Why would you thank her?"

"Because you’re here, next to me," he replied as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

Naruto blushed, and Sasuke noticed it immediately. It seemed almost unfair how easy it was to make him react with just a few sincere words. In the past, Sasuke himself wouldn’t have been able to say something like that without feeling exposed, uncomfortable, or even embarrassed. But now... now he simply said it. As if it was okay to do so. As if Naruto was that safe space he never thought he’d have.

And maybe he was.

He remembered clearly how he used to be: someone who barely spoke when necessary, who avoided long conversations, who preferred to keep his distance. He was still that way with everyone... except him. Naruto was the only exception. And even if he didn’t say it out loud, part of Sasuke knew that change had to do with him. That it was his presence, his patience, his way of always being there without demanding anything, that slowly allowed him to lower his guard.

Seeing him smile there, in his arms, confirmed it. He was happy. And Sasuke was, too, even if he didn’t quite know how to handle that emotion.

"Then I should thank her too," Naruto said, pulling away slightly to look at him.

"And why would you?" Sasuke asked, genuinely curious.

"Because you’re here next to me."

A smile curved his lips. Lately, it was getting easier, but only Naruto could provoke that kind of reaction in him. Only him.

"Hey, don’t steal my lines."

Their eyes met and stayed that way for a few seconds, without needing any words. Then, Naruto rested his head on Sasuke’s shoulder, as if that space belonged to him by right, and reached to intertwine his fingers with his.

"Are you staying over tonight?"

Sasuke nodded silently, closing his eyes at the same time. How strange it was that something so simple—a question, a touch, a presence—could calm him so much. When they were like this, in silence, everything else felt far away. The anxiety, the memories, the wounds... all of it became smaller.

Naruto’s love didn’t demand, didn’t pressure. It was just there. Simple. Pure. And that was all Sasuke needed.

Peace.

Chapter 21: Caught Red-Handed

He stared at a fixed point with apparent attention, though his vacant gaze betrayed that he wasn’t actually interested in anything. He was probably wondering how the hell he had ended up in that place. Sasuke twisted his lips in frustration as he watched people come and go without enthusiasm.

He pulled his phone out of his pants pocket, and a heavy feeling of unease settled on his shoulders. They’d been there for over an hour.

"What am I doing here?" he finally asked in a low voice. His mother looked at him, visibly tired.

"I already told you," she replied with a touch of reproach. "It’s your brother’s suit fitting. He’s getting married in two weeks and asked us to come with him."

Sasuke crossed his arms and slumped against the back of the store’s couch, where they were waiting for Itachi to come out in his wedding suit.

"My presence wasn’t necessary," he muttered, more to himself than to her. "Doesn’t Itachi have any friends?"

"You’re not the best person to talk about that, little brother," Itachi’s voice chimed in just as he appeared.

He was adjusting the black blazer and the collar of his shirt with elegance. He shot a mocking smile at Sasuke, who chose not to reply. He had nothing to counter with. The closest thing he had to a friend was Suigetsu, and he wasn’t even sure he considered him one. More like an annoying parrot he couldn’t shut up.

"Look at you!" Mikoto exclaimed, on the verge of tears. "You look stunning... Dei is going to love it."

A proud mother’s tears quickly followed, flooding the store while Itachi tried to soothe her with a warm hug. Sasuke watched them from the couch, unmoving, his face serious and his expression unchanged. He had no intention of faking a joy he didn’t feel.

He was happy for his brother, and his relationship with Mikoto was in good standing, but... he didn’t feel like he belonged in that moment. As if it all belonged to someone else. As if his role there wasn’t entirely clear.

And he wasn’t about to force himself to fit in. Pretending would only be painful for everyone—including himself. He took out his phone again, more out of habit than real interest. He scrolled through his chats. Calling them “chats” was generous. The muted neighborhood group, an unanswered message from Suigetsu from three days ago, repeated nudges from Itachi about the fitting, and of course, the classic morning texts from his mother with good morning images...

Naruto was the only reason texting made sense lately.

Usuratonkachi

Granny Chiyo says hi.

Sasuke

Tell her I said hi too?

He frowned and kept his eyes on the screen. The three dots came and went. Naruto took life slowly, even when replying to messages.

It was strange, almost absurd. That the grumpy lady who lived across from his apartment would send greetings was as unexpected as the fact that Sasuke cared. They barely exchanged words when they passed each other in the building, and during the tedious neighborhood association meetings... even less.

Usuratonkachi

She likes you, even if it doesn’t seem like it :X

Sasuke

She likes you. Is your friend there with you?

Usuratonkachi

He’s making lunch. Ramen just for me :D

Sasuke

Hmm...

Usuratonkachi

What’s with the "hmm"? Want me to save you some?

Sasuke

No, I’m just bored.

Usuratonkachi

Your brother’s still in the fitting room?

Sasuke

He’s paying now.

Usuratonkachi

Will you come by later?

Sasuke

Do you want to see me? ;)

Usuratonkachi

You’re so annoying :p

Sasuke

I miss you.

A small smile formed on his lips as he looked at the screen, calmly waiting for Naruto’s reply. His finger traced the edge of the phone, distracted, as if that could somehow preserve the warm feeling those words gave him.

"Wow... You’re so in love you’re smiling at your phone now," Itachi’s voice interrupted his moment.

Sasuke’s smile vanished immediately.

"In love?" Mikoto repeated, turning her head. "Who’s in love?"

"Mom..." said Itachi, with feigned innocence. "Didn’t Sasuke tell you he’s seeing someone?"

She blinked, incredulous.

Sasuke sighed.

"Are you... do you have a girlfriend?"

"Boyfriend," Itachi corrected with complete calm. "And he’s a student."

"A student?!"

"Oh, sorry. A university student. Don’t worry."

"You’re not helping, Itachi," Sasuke muttered at last, feeling the pressure rise like a slow fever.

His phone buzzed at that moment, and amid his mother’s muffled shrieks on the other side of the store, he decided to focus on what mattered: Naruto’s message.

"I miss you too, so come see me."

He slightly curled the corner of his mouth. He could imagine Naruto typing with that poorly concealed pout, like he wanted to make him show up at his door with just one message. Naruto had a bit of a spoiled child in him. And, unfortunately, Sasuke loved that.

"Sasuke Uchiha!" his mother’s voice cut through the moment.

He took a deep breath. Now came the hard part. Explaining to Mikoto who this so-called student was. He cursed his own clumsiness—and especially Itachi, who was still sitting on the couch with that older-brother smile that seemed to take pleasure in making his life difficult.

He’d planned to introduce Naruto at the wedding. A more festive setting, more people, more distractions. With luck, that would keep the questions under control, but of course, talking about discretion with Itachi was like asking a cat not to knock things off a table. Impossible.

When they finally got a table at that ridiculously expensive restaurant, Mikoto dropped the bomb in a voice that was equal parts horrified and disbelieving:

"You’re dating a student?"

"Third year of university," he repeated, feeling déjà vu hit like a punch to the stomach.

"Were you ever planning to introduce him to me?" her voice dropped, heavy with disappointment.

The initial annoyance gave way to a pang of guilt. Her crocodile tears always worked. He hated that natural power mothers had to disarm their children. He leaned back in his chair, took a breath, and replied as gently as he could.

"I was planning to," he said, without breaking eye contact. "At Itachi’s wedding."

Silence. Then both their eyes fixed on him, as if he’d just confessed he was moving to another continent. He didn’t understand why they were looking at him like that, exchanging that strange expression he couldn’t quite decipher.

He frowned.

"What now?"

Mikoto took his hand across the table. Her smile was pure tenderness, and her eyes gleamed with something close to relief.

"I’m happy for you, son," she said sincerely. "I told you you looked different. That boy..."

"Naruto," he interrupted quickly. "His name is Naruto."

She nodded, smiling again.

"Naruto is wonderful," she said, letting out a sigh that seemed years in the making. "Take care of him. I’d be really disappointed if you let him go."

"That’s not going to happen," he replied without thinking. He was certain.

"It better not," Itachi chimed in, in his usual tone. "Because thanks to him, you finally stopped acting like an old man."

"Why don’t you shut up?"

The mini argument started out of nowhere, almost by reflex. Mikoto didn’t stop them; she seemed to enjoy it. The problems between the Uchiha brothers seemed to be over, and in their place were jokes, verbal jabs, and that connection they had lost for years.

Sasuke hadn’t wanted to be there at first, but little by little, the atmosphere began to pull him in. He watched his mother smiling—really smiling—infected by Itachi’s nonsense. And for a moment, a barely perceptible instant, he wished things with his father hadn’t deteriorated so much. He imagined, even if bitterly, that he was there too, enduring Itachi’s ridiculousness and holding Mikoto’s hand.

During dinner, his mother didn’t mention Naruto again. There were no questions, no suspicions disguised as casual comments. He silently thanked her for that. He wasn’t ready. He wanted Naruto to be by his side when the time came.

That same night, when he climbed into his truck to go back home, he didn’t forget to reply to his boyfriend’s message, letting him know he was on his way. Naruto answered almost instantly with a sticker of a cartoon fox giving a thumbs-up.

Sasuke drove through the quiet streets under the night sky, the cool air slipping through the window and softly brushing his face. He let out a sigh of relief when he saw the entrance to the gloomy apartment complex. He turned off the Nissan’s engine, got out, and gave a quick glance around the lobby, hoping not to run into Kabuto.

He didn’t feel like dealing with anyone else that night. He was too tired.

He knocked on his neighbor’s door a couple of times and waited patiently. He heard bare footsteps approaching from the other side, until Naruto opened. He was wearing those old shorts and the worn-out shirt he usually slept in. His hair was even messier than usual, like he’d run his hands through it in frustration, and a pair of round glasses rested on his face. Sasuke didn’t remember seeing him wear them before.

Naruto gave him a small smile and opened his arms in a silent invitation. Sasuke didn’t need words. He took a few steps toward him and wrapped his arms around him, feeling the other’s warm, lean body press against his. The soft pats on his back relaxed him more than he expected.

"Are you okay?" Naruto murmured against his neck.

"I think I used up all my energy reserves with all this," he pulled back slightly and gently caressed Naruto’s cheek. "But I’ll be fine," he added, looking him straight in the eye.

Naruto smiled again and invited him in. Sasuke let himself be led to the couch while the other went to the kitchen for a glass of water. When he returned, Sasuke pointed to the glasses with a slight nod of his chin.

"I’ve never seen you wear those."

Naruto handed him the water and dropped down beside him.

"I wear them at night, when I pretend to be interested in reading the books for that stupid biology class," he replied with a grimace that barely masked a pout.

That explained the even messier hair.

"So... I’m interrupting your study session."

"No," he said after a pause. "Actually, you saved me before I had a stroke or something."

"Are you sure? I don’t want you to fail."

Sasuke surprised himself by saying that. It’s not like he didn’t care, but... when was the last time he worried about someone like this?

"Don’t worry. That’s what I have Shikamaru for."

He frowned.

"Who’s Shikamaru?"

"A friend. He sits next to me in that class. If I don’t understand something, he tries to explain it to me," he paused for a few seconds. "I don’t know what I’d do without him."

"Uhm..."

Naruto put his books down on the coffee table and looked directly at him.

"What?" Sasuke held his blue gaze without breaking it.

"There it is again. What does that uhm mean?"

Sasuke watched him for a few seconds more, then exhaled with resignation.

"I told my mom about you. Now she’s desperate to meet you."

The look of disapproval on Naruto’s face turned into sheer panic.

"Wait... you what?"

Sasuke closed his eyes. He was completely certain. He would kill Itachi the next time he saw him.

Chapter 22: Coincidence

He was lost again. The voices reached him faintly, as if someone had placed an invisible wall around his ears to muffle them. He bit the tip of his pen impatiently, while his fingers drummed on that neglected book in front of him.

The only word that seemed to want to settle again and again in his mind was mom... and behind that, inevitably, Sasuke. No matter how hard he tried to focus on the professor’s monotonous words, he couldn’t. The idea of sabotaging his academic life sounded way more entertaining than listening to him.

And it wasn’t just his credits at stake, but also his own confidence.

The sharp thud of a book dropping on his desk pulled him out of his thoughts. Shikamaru was standing in front of him, one eyebrow raised and his lips in a straight line.

Naruto sighed as he realized they were the only ones left in the classroom.

“Daydreaming again?” Shikamaru asked.

Naruto scratched his neck, a bit embarrassed.

“It was a nightmare, not a daydream,” he murmured, while gathering his things.

They left together and walked to a small street stall they both knew well. The smell of hot food made his stomach growl.

“Don’t tell me this is one of those ‘I told you so’s,” Shikamaru bit into his onigiri.

Naruto rolled his eyes.

“No, it’s not an ‘I told you so’,” he mimicked, exaggerating his voice with annoyance.

An “I told you so” was what Shikamaru called those warnings he never let go, but if they came true, he wouldn’t miss the chance to spit them in your face. And if Sasuke Uchiha turned out to be an arrogant, heartbreaker idiot, Shikamaru wouldn’t waste a second to look at him with those brainy eyes, tell him flatly that it was problematic... and finish it off with an “I told you so.”

Though... Naruto didn’t know that, in that hypothetical scenario, Shikamaru would also come looking for Sasuke to make him pay. But he wouldn’t admit that.

“So, what’s the problem then?” he insisted. “And don’t tell me it’s not about Sasuke, because we both know it is.”

Naruto stuck out his tongue like a kid and shrugged. After all, he wasn’t going to dodge the conversation.

“Sasuke’s great, and I’m always happy when we’re together, really,” he said, wanting to erase that bad impression Shikamaru seemed to have of the Uchiha. “It’s not him I’m worried about... it’s his mom.”

They headed to the bus stop with full stomachs and the conversation still floating between them.

“His mom?”

Naruto nodded.

“Sasuke told me she wants to meet me.”

Shikamaru looked genuinely surprised.

“Wow, he’s not the jerk I thought he was.”

“Hey...”

“If he wants you to meet his mother, it means he’s serious about what he has with you. Why are you so worried?”

Naruto pressed his lips. Because moms always see things you try to hide. Because I can ruin everything without meaning to. Because...

“And what if she doesn’t like me?” was all he said.

There was a brief silence. Naruto noticed his chest tightening.

“Sasuke’s had a lot of problems with his family... I don’t want to make things worse.”

“If Sasuke was able to walk away once for his ideals, he’ll do it again if he really wants to have you in his life,” Shikamaru said as if it were an indisputable fact.

Naruto thought about it, and although he wanted to believe it, a part of him wasn’t so sure. He sighed, making a little pout without realizing it.

“Oh, here comes mine,” Shikamaru said, seeing the bus approaching.

“Shikamaru...” Naruto called, his voice softer. “Thanks for listening.”

He smiled.

“Don’t let those things get to you.” Then, with sudden seriousness, “And don’t make me say ‘I told you so.’”

Naruto watched him walk away, feeling that somehow, the weight on his chest was a little lighter.

He entered the convenience store right behind him, looking for instant ramen to recharge his energy. The white, cold light of a bulb illuminated the place, giving it an almost ghostly air. Without the impeccable order and strong smell of disinfectant, it would have looked like a scene out of an apocalyptic movie.

He walked confidently through the aisles; he knew what brand he wanted and which snacks he would allow himself, because his stomach was already protesting loudly.

Then, a sudden noise startled him: a can fell to the floor beside him. He quickly bent down to pick it up and gave a kind smile to the woman who had dropped it.

“I’m so sorry,” she said, embarrassed, shaking the can in her hands. “I was distracted.”

“Don’t worry,” Naruto replied, downplaying it, though he couldn’t help but look at her more closely.

The woman seemed to be struggling with indecision. A wrinkle formed on her forehead, and although she looked young for her age, it was clear the doubt made her uncomfortable.

“Do you need help?”

“Well... now that you mention it,” she replied with relief, and let out a nervous laugh. “I don’t recognize any of these brands.”

Naruto understood immediately. It wasn’t that she doubted which to choose, but that she didn’t know them at all. In that small neighborhood, he knew almost everyone, and this was the first time he’d seen her. That explained the situation, at least a little.

“This one here,” he said, taking a can and handing it to her, “is good.”

She nodded, pleased.

“Peach in syrup, then.”

Naruto smiled, gave a slight bow, and headed toward the counter.

“Hey, Naruto,” the cashier greeted, distracted for a moment by the bright orange of his hair. “How’s it going?”

“University’s killing me,” he complained, “but I’m good. How are your wife and the baby?”

“They’re fine. We got a nanny and she’s ready to go back to work,” he said, bagging his things. Naruto handed him the money. “Thanks for your purchase.”

“Send them my regards.”

As he left, the wind hit his face and his teeth chattered. The night was cold, much colder than he expected. He waited for the bus to his complex when soft taps on his shoulder made him turn around.

It was the can lady.

“Are you headed to the building?” she asked, her voice warm but firm. “I can give you a ride. I’m going that way, and the next bus might take a while.”

For a moment he hesitated. He knew he shouldn’t get in a car with a stranger, but the cold was starting to seep into his bones, and waiting another half hour felt almost unbearable. Besides, she looked at him with that worried mother expression, as if she were caring for someone small. Part of him wanted to trust.

He got in the car and was surprised by the scent: an expensive air freshener, sweet and dense, clashing with the cold aroma outside. The car was modern—too modern—and the woman drove calmly, heading in the right direction. That should have been enough to feel at ease. But he wasn’t entirely.

He felt tense muscles, hands clenched in his lap, and every sound of the engine seemed amplified in his ears. A little voice in his head whispered not to let his guard down, but another part wanted to let go.

“Have you lived here all your life?” the woman asked, breaking the silence.

He shook his head, trying not to sound so cautious.

“I lived in Osaka as a kid, then moved to Tokyo with my parents, and a few months ago I came back.”

She nodded, looking at him out of the corner of her eye.

“Do you feel comfortable?”

A slight tremor ran through his body, but he hid it with a smile.

“At first, no... people in that building can be really strange,” he laughed, remembering the first days. “But now... I’m really happy here.”

She smiled in the most sincere way.

“Thanks again, I was about to leave without buying anything.”

“You’re welcome,” Naruto answered. He took a deep breath, and just as he was about to stay silent, curiosity got the better of him. “You’re not from around here, are you?”

The woman sighed.

“You’re right, I came to visit my son. He also lives in that building.”

Naruto nodded, clutching his shopping bag, holding it with some shyness.

“Although I’m sure Sasuke won’t be too happy to see me, he’s like a bitter old man.”

“Sa-Sasuke?” he stammered, opening his mouth a couple of times before clearing his throat. “Mrs. Uchiha?”

She smiled at him, as if caught in the middle of some mischief.

“Naruto, it’s a pleasure to finally meet you.”

“How did you know... who I was?” he asked, confused and now more nervous than ever.

“I’m really sorry,” she said, truly embarrassed. “And I’m sorry for my lack of manners too,” she let out a nervous laugh. “I overheard your conversation with the man in the store, I’m sorry.”

This couldn’t be really happening.

“Oh, no... it’s okay, I was just a little surprised.”

“He said your name, and I couldn’t help wanting to talk to you.”

She quickly turned toward the entrance of the apartment complex and parked in a deserted spot that looked unsafe at first glance. Both got out of the car and walked together to the building.

“Sasuke didn’t tell me you lived together,” she commented, trying to learn more.

Naruto avoided the gaze of Kabuto, who was lurking nearby. He sighed with relief as the elevator door opened at that moment.

“Oh, no, I don’t live with him. I’m in the apartment next door.”

“So you met when you moved here,” she said to herself, piecing the puzzle together in her mind.

“Yes, although he didn’t want to talk to me much at first,” Naruto confessed, letting out a low laugh.

Now he understood where Sasuke’s inquisitive silence came from. She wasn’t the quiet type, but she did come to conclusions, which forced Naruto to tell more.

They crossed the hallway, and he stopped in front of his door. He held the handle and looked at Mrs. Uchiha with some concern.

“At this hour, Sasuke still hasn’t come home from work,” he explained.

She stroked her chin and looked away.

“I guess I came a little early.”

Maybe he would regret this later.

“But we can wait for him together,” he said quickly, “if you want.”

She smiled at him.

“You’re very kind.”

Naruto sighed and gathered courage just as he invited his boyfriend’s mother in. He brought out his best host skills, while desperate prayers repeated in his head for Sasuke to hurry and show up behind his door, because he didn’t know how long he could maintain the relaxed facade he built by offering his apartment as a waiting room. He was very nervous and feared making a bad impression.

“Well then, tell me, dear,” the woman smiled as she turned around, “how’s university going?”

Sasuke Uchiha, you better be on your way.

With that thought, Naruto ended his prayer.

Chapter 23: Mellifluous

While Naruto was suffocating with nerves in his apartment’s living room, Sasuke was finishing his workday. He shut off the computer, organized the papers on his desk, and listened to his coworkers animatedly debating which barbecue restaurant they should go to. He stifled a sigh when he saw Suigetsu approaching with that party-boy grin, far too hopeful.

"Don’t look at me like that. I know you think I came here to beg you on my knees to join us for meat," Suigetsu said in a mock-indignant tone.

"But..." Sasuke began, not bothering to deny it.

Suigetsu huffed, crossing his arms.

"But you probably already have plans with Naruto," he added in a mischievous murmur.

Sasuke’s warning glance was automatic, but the corners of his lips curved into the faintest of smiles, one he didn’t even bother to hide. Suigetsu wasn’t wrong. Every night he returned home knowing that neither suffocating silence nor the loneliness of his family awaited him anymore. Instead, he was welcomed by the warmth of arms and the touch of lips that had become his refuge.

"Tonight and every night after," he replied, gathering his things and turning to leave.

Suigetsu stared after him, incredulous. Sasuke had always been an impenetrable wall—distant, harsh, and a perpetual buzzkill. But lately, the changes in him had become increasingly noticeable. His shoulders no longer seemed weighed down by so much burden, his face looked more at ease, and even though his replies remained curt, there was now a nuance in his tone that hadn’t been there before.

He could swear there was a hint of playfulness and teasing in his words. And for that, he could only feel grateful toward Naruto. The new Uchiha Sasuke actually looked happy.

The trip home was so short it felt suspicious. A pang twisted in his stomach, that same uneasy sensation of someone who senses things are about to spiral out of control. He didn’t want to put much weight on the feeling, but it followed him all the way to the building, into the elevator, and right up to the door of his own home.

He knocked a couple of times. Naruto’s response came immediately, along with the sound of the lock clicking open. When the door swung wide, Sasuke was met with a scene that unsettled him: a pink apron, a cloud of messy blond hair, and an expression that was anything but desperate.

He leaned in to kiss him, but Naruto’s palm blocked the way. Sasuke frowned, instantly on guard.

"Your mom is here," Naruto whispered, barely moving his lips.

Sasuke stared at him in disbelief. Naruto didn’t look like he was in crisis; on the contrary, he had flour smudged on his cheeks and at the corner of his lips, as if he’d just survived a kitchen battle. That only confused him more.

"My mom what?" he repeated, because his brain couldn’t process it.

Naruto grabbed his hand and pulled him inside.

"She taught me how to make a fruit-preserve sponge cake, can you believe it?" he said enthusiastically, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

Still holding his hand, Sasuke followed him to the kitchen. And there was Mikoto, moving gracefully back and forth, light and smiling, like some kind of fairy baker who had completely taken over his sanctuary.

The kitchen island was covered with bowls and ingredients, the sweet smell of bread filled the air, and on the other side, two trays of cupcakes fresh from the oven sat invitingly.

He swallowed hard before speaking.

"Mom? What are you doing here?" He tugged at the knot of his tie and dropped his things on the couch. "I thought you were coming tomorrow."

She turned toward him with that sweet motherly smile—though he knew well it could just as easily herald chaos.

"Oh, darling, I’m so glad you’re here already." She stepped up to give him a quick hug. "I couldn’t wait until tomorrow, and I promised your brother we’d go together to pick up Dei at the airport."

Sasuke nodded, though he was certain that wasn’t the real reason. His mother rarely did anything without a hidden agenda.

To avoid awkward questions during the reception—the kind Mikoto could fire with sniper precision—he’d agreed to introduce her to Naruto before the wedding. What he hadn’t accounted for was that she’d take the initiative and, without asking, end up taking over his boyfriend’s kitchen.

"But don’t worry," she added with a casual gesture, "I ran into Naruto at the convenience store and he was kind enough to invite me in."

Of course. Kind. Naruto was always kind—even to invading forces.

The conversation was reduced to a few short lines, because Mikoto quickly settled in as if she were in her own home. She decided to stay and prepare dinner as a gesture of... goodwill? Thinly disguised curiosity? Sasuke didn’t know, and frankly, didn’t want to guess. What was clear was that in a matter of minutes, he’d been relegated to the role of spectator, chopping vegetables off to the side, while his mother and Naruto whispered to each other at the stove.

Barely stifled laughter, conspiratorial glances. And him, set apart as though he were serving some sort of sentence. They hadn’t just taken over the kitchen; they’d taken over Naruto too.

But the worst part was, he couldn’t truly be upset. Because Naruto was smiling, and he looked happy. And that was enough to dissolve any sour mood in seconds. He sighed, resigned. Ridiculous. He had never felt so cheesy in his life, and yet here he was, secretly smiling like an idiot just because Naruto was laughing with his mother.

"I just have one tiny question," Mikoto said in an innocent tone that fooled no one, as she tasted the rice and meat on her plate. "I don’t understand why you two don’t live together, since you spend most of your time here, Sasuke."

"That’s not just one tiny question, Mom."

Exactly those kinds of "tiny questions" were the ones he wanted to avoid at his brother’s engagement party. Or, really, anywhere on the planet.

"I’d like to know why you’re asking that," he replied, weighing every word.

Mikoto set her chopsticks aside and looked at him as though he’d just broken her heart. In reality, she had the expression of a spoiled child denied the chance to meddle.

"Are you going to tell me it’s not true that you come here every night after work? Or that you don’t leave your things in his apartment because you sleep over?" Her tone, so obvious, grated in his ears. "And besides, Naruto is wearing your sweater."

Perfect. Observant as always.

Naruto flushed instantly, the blush rising all the way to his ears. And that was when Sasuke understood: his mother had planned this from the very beginning. She’d avoided the heavy questions about their relationship only to wait for the perfect moment to make them both squirm—in front of her. A master move.

"Don't be so shy, it was just a question." She waved her hand dismissively, though she knew perfectly well what she was doing. "So? How was it? The moment you two met, I mean... Didn't you say he didn’t want to talk to you much at first?" she asked Naruto this time.

Her gaze settled on him with that maternal curiosity.

"Yeah, well..." he answered timidly, looking slightly away. And Sasuke could almost read on his face the exact thought running through his own: his mother commanded presence even wrapped in sweetness.

Her laughter filled the room, apparently nothing amusing her more than the thought of Sasuke Uchiha trying to hold a conversation with someone as loud and opposite as Naruto. Somehow, she was acutely aware of how hard it had been for him to find someone who could understand him, someone who wouldn’t judge him for who he was, and above all, someone sincere with him. For Sasuke, this wasn’t just a romance—she had never seen her son as happy as he was now.

She could be certain of that by the way Sasuke’s attentive eyes lingered every time Naruto laughed, or in that split second when his lips formed a faint smile at whatever Naruto said. And just as she knew all that, she also knew she didn’t need to meddle or worry too much.

With a feeling of calm settling in her heart, she decided to leave them be and say goodbye that night. She’d have plenty of time later to keep stirring things up.

Sasuke walked her to the door after she bade Naruto farewell.

"He’s a good boy," she said, patting his arm warmly. "I’m happy for you."

He sighed.

"He’s too good for me."

"Sasuke," her hands gripped him gently yet firmly, "you deserve this. And if life is telling you that your happiness is right here, then accept it and don’t be so stubborn."

He nodded at his mother’s words. Yes, she was nosy, meddlesome, and sometimes unbearable, but she had always been there when he needed her. Watching her step into the elevator and the doors close, he released a heavy sigh, almost liberating. Finally.

When he returned to the kitchen, he found Naruto clearing the table as if he were in the middle of a fierce battle with the dishes. He didn’t even notice Sasuke standing at the doorway, watching him. That night, caught between exhaustion and clumsy movements, he looked especially beautiful.

Sasuke cleared his throat, and finally Naruto looked up.

"She’s gone already?" he asked as he put away the leftovers. His voice sounded relieved, though there was still a trace of unease lingering there. "I was so nervous I didn’t know what to do."

Sasuke looked at him, amused. He was adorable.

"And what if I ruined it?" he added, with a worry that only made him look cuter.

If anyone had ruined anything, it certainly wasn’t Naruto.

Sasuke shook his head, entertained.

"She liked you. Don’t worry about that."

He stepped closer to help with the dishes, though more than helping, he just wanted to be near him.

"And... about the sweater, I’m sorry," Naruto murmured, lowering his voice as if confessing a crime. "I was in a rush this morning and grabbed it without noticing."

Only then did Sasuke really look at him. He hadn’t paid attention to the detail until his mother pointed it out, but now... now he couldn’t stop noticing. He liked it.

Naruto blinked, uncertain.

"What? Why are you looking at me like that?"

He didn’t answer. He simply pulled him close, slid a hand down his lower back, and kissed him. Instantly, Naruto melted against him, arms winding around his shoulders. The sweet contact quickly turned more voracious, breaths ragged, heat rising fast. Naruto’s parted lips invited him to deepen the kiss, and Sasuke’s fingers—unhurried but full of intent—untied the knot of the pink apron.

"We should live together," he whispered against his mouth, leaving no room for doubt.

Chapter 24: Proposal

Sasuke kissed those careless lips again, pinning Naruto against the kitchen counter. He hadn’t had time to plan what he wanted to say, nor to think of how to do it the “right” way, and even if he had wanted to, now he could only let himself be carried away by the urgency of his emotions.

"Move in? Together?" Naruto’s voice was barely audible, whimpering against his lips as he tried to process what Sasuke was proposing.

His hand slipped mischievously beneath that blue sweater that, come to think of it, looked better on Naruto; he caressed the tanned skin hidden under all those layers that, at that moment, felt like nothing but an obstacle.

The pink apron was forgotten somewhere on the floor. Sasuke nodded, anxious.

"I like waking up next to you," he confessed, watching him for a moment as he fought the urge to kiss him again. "And that awful smell of ramen you make in the afternoons..."

"What do you have against ramen?" Naruto grumbled, somewhere between amused and confused.

"What I mean, Naruto"—his hands tightened around his waist—"is that I want to share days and nights with you."

It wasn’t something he would have said in front of his mother—nor did he plan to—but before Mikoto had the brilliant idea to ask them about living together, he had already decided to confess it. His own intentions, mixed with the mention of his mother, had led him to jump in without thinking. Again. Acting before measuring the consequences was a pattern that had haunted him since he met Naruto. From that very first visit to Ichiraku Ramen to the first invitation to eat together, everything had led to this moment.

Sasuke could see the blood rushing to Naruto’s face, feel the warmth of his body and the wild pounding of his heart syncing with his own. And as much as he wanted to hear his answer, he pressed his lips once more to his, surrendering again to the frenzy of the moment. They stumbled a couple of times before making it to the bedroom, laughing at the creak of the bed as they fell onto it. The outside world vanished, and the only thing that mattered was the heat they shared and the certainty that they didn’t want to let each other go.

A long exchange of gazes lingered between them, a kind of silent spell, both trying not to give in too quickly to the desire consuming them.

Sasuke tilted his face toward Naruto’s neck, kissing the soft skin slowly. He felt Naruto’s body shiver beneath his lips, anticipating every touch. He traced every line unhurriedly to his collarbone, savoring the warmth and texture of that tanned skin, tangled between the intimacy of the ordinary and the extraordinariness of the moment.

The shyness of the first time had long since faded; after so many nights together, the kisses, touches, and embraces had replaced the initial insecurity. This time, however, the feeling was different. They knew nothing would ever be the same.

Naruto raised his hands almost without thinking, burying his fingers in Sasuke’s dark hair, sighing at every mark his lips left on his skin. Those small reddish traces, deliberately placed, only intensified the excitement and impatience in both of them.

Inside the room, the only sounds were their ragged breaths, the soft sighs, and the moans that escaped every time their lips met. The blue sweater vanished, leaving behind a white button-down shirt. Sasuke arched a brow slightly; it was strange seeing him in something other than his usual shorts and simple shirts.

"Why so formal today?" he whispered.

"I applied for a job," Naruto murmured, almost inaudible.

Naruto couldn’t focus on a normal conversation—not with Sasuke’s fingers roaming every inch of his skin, with kisses trailing from his jaw to his lips. Sasuke slowly slid his hand down to the zipper of Naruto’s pants.

"Where?"

"At a veterinary clinic," Naruto whispered, placing his firm hands on Sasuke’s shoulders, squeezing them with need and shooting him a desperate look. "Just... shut up and kiss me, will you? Please."

And that was exactly what Sasuke did.

That night, they lay in the room as the moon timidly slipped through the window. The air between them was so hot it seemed to absorb everything. Sasuke held him close, feeling every tremor, every sigh, every movement of Naruto beneath his hands. His lips wandered along the blond’s neck and shoulders, every kiss leaving a wet, burning trail.

Naruto clung to him, arching his back, digging his fingers into his dark hair, as if every brush of Sasuke’s touch were essential to breathing. The soft gasps, the broken whispers, their tense, heated bodies moved in unison.

Clothes piled up on the floor. Sasuke guided him firmly, feeling how every brush, every caress, every touch of his lips and hands ignited Naruto even more.

Naruto sighed against him, seeking closeness, while Sasuke held him and responded to every tremor of his body, to every gasp and small moan that escaped his lips.

Their bodies moved in rhythm, pressed close, sharing air and cadence. Every prolonged instant made time cease to exist; there was no world beyond their hands, their lips, and the heat binding them.

"Don’t stop," Naruto murmured to him.

Finally, exhausted and entwined, they stopped. They embraced, still breathing unevenly, their bodies hot and pressed together, hearts beating in sync.

In the calm that followed, as the night’s light streamed through the window, Sasuke stroked Naruto’s hair, gently playing with the strands until they both surrendered to sleep.

The next morning, Naruto stirred, trying to shake off the last traces of sleep, but when he tried to get up, he couldn’t. Sasuke was clinging tightly, his head resting on his chest, a distant aching throb tugging somewhere in his lower back.

He stroked the dark strands, trying to wake him.

"Sasuke," Naruto murmured, "wake up."

A lazy grunt was the only response.

"What time is it?" He turned, searching for the clock on the nightstand, though without success.

Sasuke reached for his phone and yawned.

"Ten o’clock."

Naruto jumped to his feet, fumbling among the clothes scattered across the floor.

"Oh, fuck me..."

"I already did."

"Sasuke!"

"What’s wrong? Why are you in such a rush?" he scratched his head, still half-asleep.

"The cupcakes I made with your mom," Naruto paced as Sasuke watched him. "They’re for the kids at the orphanage. I told Tsunade I’d be there early."

"Let me drive you," Sasuke said. "I have the day off."

"I’m going to shower first."

"I’ll come with you."

Naruto shot him a reproachful look, but Sasuke only smiled calmly.

"It’ll be quicker."

After their, of course, quick reunion in the shower—just as Sasuke’s words had promised—they were already on their way to the imposing house. Though aged by time, it wasn’t in poor condition.

Fresh air drifted through the van’s windows, and the smell of damp earth grew stronger as they approached the tree-lined path. Sasuke noticed how Naruto walked carefully through the potholes and mud. He helped him down, carrying one of the baskets of cupcakes.

"Did you get the job?" Sasuke asked with interest, more observant than curious.

"What?" Naruto hesitated a moment. "Ah, yeah... Kiba asked me to start Monday."

Sasuke nodded, saying nothing else, processing the information. A comfortable silence settled as they walked.

"Kiba’s in charge, Shikamaru told me about him." His tone was neutral, but there was a nervous edge somewhere in the distance.

"I know you’ll do well," Sasuke tried to encourage him.

Naruto smiled shyly, surprising himself when he returned that small smile Sasuke always reserved just for him.

As they approached the house, the children’s laughter and shouts filled the air. Tsunade was hammering nails into the façade, and Jiraiya moved through the garden with his hands in the soil. Sasuke noticed the calm those gestures carried, and how Naruto, even in a rush, seemed to fit perfectly into that ordered chaos.

"Granny Tsunade!"

"Naruto!" Her face lit up, then immediately hardened. "You said you’d be here before ten."

"I’m sorry, really!" The apologies tumbled out of his mouth.

"Why are you so late?"

"I overslept."

"I can imagine why."

The suspicion in her tone wasn’t aimed precisely at Naruto, but at him. Sasuke felt it on his skin, like a needle at the back of his neck. He watched the scene from the comfort of distance, though none of that protected him. Nervousness assaulted him with the same force as that first encounter with Naruto and his parents.

"Ah, I... I’m sorry," he replied without thinking.

"And why are you apologizing?"

Good question.

Why exactly was he apologizing?

Aside from not letting Naruto rest, he hadn’t done anything wrong. And that hadn’t really been his fault either. He wasn’t the one twisting and writhing in moans, clawing at his skin and begging for more. He had only done what he was supposed to: care for him and indulge him.

"Come on, Tsunade, leave them alone."

Jiraiya’s voice broke the discomfort, releasing them both. Sasuke barely held back the urge to sigh in relief. Naruto, on the other hand, did so without restraint. Of course they knew. Tsunade and Jiraiya were more than aware of them.

Naruto cleared his throat, searching for an escape, and spoke of the gift he had brought for the children. The elders, pleased, let them stay a while longer. The sun began to descend, and the fresh breeze drifted across the fields, swaying the green grass and yellow flowers that painted the landscape.

They sat beneath a leafy tree, in a peaceful silence that needed no filling. The children ran, laughing freely without a care. Naruto watched them with a mix of calm and nostalgia, and Sasuke watched him, more than the scenery. Naruto had changed too; he noticed it in the way he breathed, in the quiet confidence now surrounding him. His time away from Osaka had healed deep wounds, though scars never truly vanished.

Naruto turned toward him, catching in his gaze the tense serenity on his face. Sasuke knew what those tiny lines on his forehead betrayed.

“Tomorrow is your brother's pre-wedding lunch,” Naruto said, lowering his voice.

Sasuke clenched the grass in his fist. Naruto placed his hand over it, gentle but firm, as if with that simple gesture he could stop the tide in his head.

"I have no idea how it will all turn out. It’s two days..." he admitted tiredly.

"Don’t worry," Naruto replied naturally. "You told me things with your brother and your mother are going well. Besides... I’ll be at your side."

The smile that curved Sasuke’s lips wasn’t forced. It came from a deep place, one he rarely allowed to surface.

"You’re right. Everything will be fine."

Because you’re always there.