Chapter Text
It’s been about two years since the war ended.
Konoha is a bit quieter now. Energy is high though; the vibes are still a bit rambunctious. But it’s the kind of quiet that comes after something big has happened. The kind of quiet that settles in your chest and leaves you content.
Peace.
Rebuilding efforts are mostly complete; the markets are full, walls that were once broken stand strong again, homes have been remodeled, and newer ones have been built. Children laugh and play in the streets.
Peace looks nice on Konoha. But.... It feels a little unreal to Naruto.
Naruto is still getting used to the praise.
The love.
The acknowledgment.
Yeah, he saved the whole village at sixteen against Pain, but it’s different now.
He's really and truly regarded as the hero of Konoha. The world.
More than before. The villagers smile at him when he walks past, giving out warm greetings. Vendors call him over, insisting he try their food and take extra home. Mothers and fathers thank him for his service to the village with bowed heads. Their children stare at him with bright shining eyes, like he’s something bigger than life itself.
As much as he hoped for this to be his reality throughout his childhood, to be loved and acknowledged by those in Kohona. To be looked at as something more than a nuisance, this new change uneases him.
When you spend more than half your life being unwanted, hated, avoided, and sneered at with little to no explanation…
Well, some insecurities don’t disappear overnight.
And some don’t leave at all.
It’s a little after one in the morning when Naruto sits upright in his bed. Moonlight peeks through the slightly drawn-back curtains. Illuminating the room just a bit, just enough so that he can see the mess he made from the day before.
Clothes folded lazily and stacked upon his dresser, yet to be put away. Empty cup noodles by his bedside he swore he was going to throw out, scrolls and papers stacked in the corner.
Not overly messy, just lived in, he thought.
Naruto adjusts on the bed himself, one leg folded over the other, staring at his hand.
The seal of the Sage of Six Paths is gone now, but remnants of it remain.
A faint marking like the shape of a sun, a barely-there pulse of chakra. Sometimes it tingles softly. Sometimes it pulses, occasionally it roars loudly.
Tonight, it hums.
The bond between him and Sasuke is still open. Still alive.
Though Sasuke is far away, Naruto can feel him. He curls his hand into a fist, feeling the faint movement of chakra beneath his skin. Smooth and contained as always. Steady.
Which means Sasuke is okay.
And that means there’s no reason to worry.
Not that he does. Because Sasuke doesn’t need anyone worrying about him. At least, that’s what Sasuke says.
Still, Naruto can’t help it.
He’s always worried about him and doesn’t think that habit is going away anytime soon.
He imagines how Sasuke would respond if he said that out loud.
“Idiot. Don’t go wrecking your brain by wasting energy thinking too much. It can only handle so much.” A small smile tugged at his lips.
Naruto snorts softly at the thought. He can picture exactly how it’d play out.
A huff, then the slight turning of his head. Not Sasuke’s usual smirk. A real smile. One Sasuke rarely shows.
Sasuke doesn’t smile much, but when it's just the two of them, he finds that he does more frequently. He once said that it's easier with him. That he feels lighter around Naruto. Less guarded.
And Naruto holds onto that.
Like it’s something fragile.
Because, as close as their bond is, Sasuke doesn’t open up out loud. So, Naruto takes what he gets.
He exhales and lies down on his back.
Why am I even thinking about him right now? The bastard’s been gone for five months and still hasn’t written me back.
Naruto squeezes his eye shut, irritation bubbling up. He sends letters somewhat often. Some long, some short, some filled with rambling. Pages filled with whatever crosses his mind.
Sasuke barely responds.
Naruto tells himself that it's normal. That’s just how Sasuke is.
Quieter, distant, Busy.
Still…
Five months is a while. One letter wouldn’t hurt.
“Stupid bastard..”
Naruto turns to his side and tries to lull himself back to sleep.
Tomorrow’s going to be a long day. Being the village hero doesn’t come with much free time. Kakashi’s already lined up some diplomatic meeting, something about “getting used to Hokage work.”
Naruto rolls his eyes and groans into his pillow. Shifting his head and staring at the wall ahead.
“Yeah, being Hokage is my dream,” he mutters, “but I never imagined it’d be this much work.”
Something no one thought to mention before he decided that becoming Hokage was his life's dream.
Paperwork. Meetings. Studying. Expectations, requirements to fulfill.
For someone who spent most of his childhood being told he wasn’t wanted… being suddenly needed and admired by everyone feels overwhelming sometimes.
Heavy.
Lonely even.
Making him feel unsure about the next steps he should take.
He lifts his head slightly, tucking his hand under his cheek. The bond pulses once. Very faint, but it's there.
Naruto closes his eyes again.
“At least I know you’re okay,” words barely audible. Not even realizing he said them out loud.
Eventually, sleep finds him.