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Author of 4 Stories |
Disclaimer: I'm a humble God and as such, even though I do own the whole world, which includes Naruto, I will leave this hear as a reminder that I share my gifts with you!
Warning: This is a story contributing to the 73.9 percent of YAOI stories that are under the 'Naruto' category as of March 18th. Though there are no graphic sex scene, much to my displeasure, this is a story about TWO MEN IN LOVE! For all those squimish bible-beaters...Go away.
Dedication: I wrote all nine thousand, some odd words of this story for my wonderful friend Amy (Aaida-Harplake) Not only is she a true friend, a sweet person to everyone she meets and a God sent angel of awesomeness, she is also a great artist. You can see here She drew this for me after reading my story Law & Order and I just had to repay the favor. Babe. I really hope you enjoy this! It took me forever as you already know. XD
Plushie StickyNote: Before you read I have to warn you this is unedited and unbeta'ed purely for the fact that I am too happy to have this done at the moment to care about my grammar or any mistakes in my writing structure. Yes, I will have someone beta it later, but not Sargie. She's got other stuff to worry about. By the way. There are two OC characters. First Aaida, because...well duh! It's a giftfic for her! And second, Sargie, because it was either her or Shino dating Kiba, but I really didn't wanna leave poor Aaida stuck in a story and have her be the only girl. That'd be no fun. So here you go!
!ENJOY!
Apologize with Beer
XXXXXX
It was about seven on one very peaceful Sunday morning. Streams of sunlight broke through gaps in the curtains and danced up, slowly, but steadily across the bedroom floor, highlighting the blue hue of it's plush covering. Up they went farther and farther onto a spacious bed, over it's fluffy white blankets and coming to rest their comfortable warmth against the pale face of one Uchiha Sasuke.
For some time the heat went unnoticed, due partly in fact because there was already a very warm, solid but soft something wrapped securely in the man's arms; and around him. After a few moments more of unresponsiveness though one very stubborn sunbeam saw it fit to lift it's gaze until it was leaning heavily on the sleeping man's eyes. The spark to a vicious cycle that had plagued many a persons before him.
Painfully slow, as with every journey from dreamland, Sasuke's mind rebooted itself and calmly, but not without some rattling drifted from the REM stage to one of semi-consciousness. His eyes fluttered and with a small sound, a groggy moan, curled his legs up closer to himself, pulling the pillow up higher into his arms and promptly beginning the unholy struggle of trying to gather the broken fragments of his once peaceful slumber.
Just a little more sleep. Please. He begged himself to rest some more, but the sun wasn't going to be the only annoyance that Sasuke had to deal with this morning. Cursed to be a light sleeper and even a quick riser, Sasuke rolled onto his stomach, the pillow now under his hips, making his butt stick up into the air a little so the position was awkward. He didn't pay it any attention though. Instead he brought both hands up and fisted them into another pillow that smelled of his shampoo, bringing it out from under his face and pulling it over his head so his nose pressed painfully against his mattress now.
He kept still for several minutes, stubbornly moving from consciousness to semi-unconsciousness, swearing mentally only when he could no longer locate any stages of rest. Dammit! He cursed to himself.
Limbs still heavy from sleep nonetheless he kept himself tucked under his covers until the last possible moment. Drowsiness clouded around him in a mist of a soon to be lost pleasure and with a frustrated groan the poor man lifted himself up onto his knees, the pillow tumbling down his back as he let it go. A stock of raven-colored hair popped up from under the pillow and in a fashion that befitted the term 'bed-head' did the unruly locks spike up in an adorably messy manner.
Opening slightly dazed eyes Sasuke began to blink away the haze of the morning, the normally coal-black of his iris's flickering with shards of broken garnet as he turned his head to look around and was met with a harsh ray of sunlight. He winced and tilted his head so his face was under the shadow of a curtain, allowing him to take in the familiar scene of his bedroom. He had a nice room he admitted to himself, still a little out of it. Painted over in calming blues and whites, with a desk in the corner and the nice furnishings of a T.V. opposite to the bed, all very neat and tidy. The only thing that gave the room any impression of a man's room where the scattered articles of clothing that littered the floor and some of the furniture. A shirt hanging on the bed post, a pair of pants thrown against the desk chair, a tie laying balled up in the corner. He would have to clean that up a little bit later.
But even still while wisps of sleep curled around him he was brought alert when he noticed that something seemed amiss. He found it odd that he felt so utterly alone at that moment. He took a quick sweep of the room and found that he was indeed all alone right then. It made him wonder. Where was his boyfriend? Where's Naruto?
His first answers were implausible, but after some thought he concluded that Naruto had to be somewhere else in the house, already busy with something or another. He wouldn't put it past the blond to be up too. It was rare that the other man wake up before him, so in light of such a curious event Sasuke shuffled gracefully over to the edge of the bed, threw his legs over the side and stood up, wobbling at first but only for a second before feeling his legs give out completely. In a failed attempt to save himself Sasuke made a clumsy effort of falling onto the bed, but instead landed on the edge, most of his weight leaning him towards the floor until he fell painfully on his ass, dragging along a bundle of blankets to have fall over top of him in the process.
Head poking out from underneath the mess of fluff and down feathers Sasuke lets out a colorful steam of curses and didn't waste any time ripping the offending blankets away, leaving them on the floor in favor of getting up and going to go look for his boyfriend. Well that was one way to start the morning. He padded quietly from his room and started down to his left in a dazed stride. Stupid blankets.
Suddenly there was a pleasant smell that drifted through the halls that caught Sasuke's attention, an invisible hand of some kind of cooked scent curling a finger in a teasing manner just under his nose that he couldn't ignore. He followed it without question, every correct step intensified the smell until it lead him to his kitchen, a wonderfulsight greeting him as well. Suddenly his morning grumpiness disappeared as he took in said sight with a growing happiness.
His favorite blond was working, half-naked, with his back to Sasuke while leaning over the stove, on what he could only assume was breakfast. Naruto hadn't turned to greet him which could only mean that he hadn't noticed Sasuke yet, most likely because he was too consumed with his humming, so Sasuke leaned himself against the door frame, arms crossed over his chest and just took the time to watch his lover with unmasked fascination. He watched the muscles of the blonde's back play under the taunt layer of golden skin and almost started drooling. He didn't jump him though. He could jump him anytime, but being able to just stare and take in the beauty that was his boyfriend were the moments he woke up for.
Naruto was wearing his favorite pair of pj bottoms that were dyed in a beautiful shade of blue with tiny red and white fans littering the fabric. They had been a gift from him so the blond had naturally taken to wearing them as often as he could. It brought a smile to the raven's lips remembering that particular Valentine's Day. He chuckled at the memory of a chocolate covered Naruto and the beating he'd gotten later that day for pulling such a prank on him. It had been something he would never forget that's for sure. Good times.
Ears perking to the sound of a rumbling laugh from behind the tanned man finally took notice of the arrival of his boyfriend and with one final note of a hum, turned his head a little to grace the 'intruder' with a bright smile. "Well good morning there, sleepy head!" He greeted, waving a spatula in a welcoming motion. "How'd you sleep?"
With a smile of his own Sasuke walked briskly over to the blond and wrapped his arms around his boyfriends waist, resting his chin gently on the other's shoulder. "Not long enough." Sasuke answered, burying his nose in the crook of the sun-kissed neck. "Mmm..."
Poking gently at something in the pan before him Naruto held down a slight shiver and laughed, leaning back with a contented sigh. "Then why didn't you stay in bed a little more?" He asked, tilting his head just the tiniest bit to encourage some more nuzzling. "If you want you can rest for ten more minutes. Breakfast should be done by then."
But the raven just shook his head and answered. "Can't sleep anymore." Smirking Sasuke took advantage of the offer and grazed his canines carefully along the delicious curve of the other man's neck, making sure to run over the small cluster of nerves centered right at the base while keeping a tight hold around the blonde's body. As predicted Naruto jerked a bit in surprise, his bottom lip snagged between his teeth to silence a small groan and his eyelashes coming to rest delicately against his blushing cheeks. "S-sasuke."
"Hmmm? I think breakfast might take a little more than ten minutes." Glancing down at 'breakfast' Sasuke, smirking again when his boyfriend tensed and turned with a confused inquiry.
"Huh?" Naruto opened his eyes and raised a brow at the raven.
Sasuke just let his smirk widen some more, shrugging and answering with a kiss to the blonde's cheek. "Well, I don't know about you, but I refuse to eat burnt food." He gave a snicker when he heard Naruto give a undignified squeak and practically launch himself out of his arms to try and save the quickly burning French toast. He was too late though. The smell of burnt food floated around them in a heavy lace.
Naruto pouted, looking put out at the black breading with some slight remorse. Flicking the burner off Naruto lifted the pan up and sighed, going over to the trash and letting the seared food slide from it's stainless steel surface into the bottom of the trash container. "Eh. Good thing we have more eggs." he mumbled and turning back to the stove, Naruto placed the pan back down and set about mixing some more batter for the French toast. He'd already made some more before Sasuke had interrupted, but with their large appetites Naruto knew they he still needed to make a few more.
Sasuke stood back, letting the smaller man go about finishing breakfast while he went back to just staring. Sasuke's day looked to be a very bright one. He was enjoying himself a lot this morning and that could only spell a great rest of the day as well. Then again...any day with Naruto is a good day. He smiled, lighthearted and sentimental. He wasn't usually so sickeningly cheery in the mornings, but what the hell, everyone had their weird days. He was certain that Naruto would enjoy this playful side of him as long as it lasted. He could in fact blame his entirely too good of a mood on the two weeks he took off work, but he rather liked blaming the half-naked blond in his kitchen instead. There was nothing like celebrating a successful partnership merger with his boyfriend the night before and waking up to his favorite breakfast being cooked by the sexiest man in the world now was there?
Sasuke sighed contently and gave up letting the other man cook without disruption. Walking up and pulling the blond back up against his chest Sasuke nuzzled his cheek along the tanned throat, ignoring Naruto's surprised gasp and cry of "Hey!"
"Sasuke! If you don't let me cook I'll make you eat everything that gets burned." Naruto mumbled heatedly, but in a playful tone. There was no way he was going to get anything done if he was continuously getting molested.
The raven's only response was another low hum of contentment, his cheek pressed against his lover's shoulder softly.
"Why don't you go- and take a shower?! Yeah. Go take a shower and let me cook." He scolded the young lawyer. Naruto was careful this time to keep his eyes glued to the pan, successful ignoring a bite to his shoulder.
Sasuke pouted but wasn't deterred. Running his thumbs in circles around the other's narrow hips he brushed the tip of his nose lightly against the area right behind the blue-eyed man's ear. “And what if I don't want to?” he whispered, satisfied when he felt the body in his arms tense and relax in one fluid motion. Naruto always did have extra sensitive ears.
“Then I'll make you eat all the burnt stuff.” Naruto threatened again half-heartedly before saying. “Plus, you smell, babe-” He didn't really, but Naruto knew how anal the raven could be about cleanliness.
And suddenly Sasuke went rigid, his arms tightening a bare fraction. “Hmph. I do not smell.” he grumbled with an offended sniff, but couldn't help adding. “But I'd more willing to go and take one if you'd join me. How about it Blondie?”
Naruto could only sigh as he flipped the toast over in the pan, hearing the sizzle of the cool batter hitting the heated surface under it. “Sasuke. I can't finish breakfast if you're all over me like this.” He wiggled impatiently still trapped within pale arms, hoping the other man would take the hint and let him finish. It's not that he didn't want to play along and spend some 'quality' time with the other man, it was just that he'd woken up early that morning specifically so he could cook Sasuke his favorite breakfast and it was all going to waste because the raven was being a horny bastard. Sometimes Naruto disliked how sexual his boyfriend was. It sent him mixed messages and sometime left him feeling very uncertain about some aspects of their relationship. Nothing serious, but it did leave it's mark.
“Well God already made me a great breakfast.” Sasuke grinned, tugging Naruto around the middle and trying to scoot him backwards towards the door. His aim was the bedroom, but his 'breakfast' was playing extra hard to get this morning it seemed.
Growling, Naruto remained rather stiff as he was pulled back, something angry curling itself in his stomach. Why couldn't Sasuke just let him do this for him? Why couldn't he- “Dammit Sasuke! Let go!” Naruto snapped. He hadn't wanted to, but he had and now, he couldn't stop. Ripping himself from the other's grasp, he turned frustrated blue eyes onto his lover and glared. “Just go take a shower. Make sure it's a cold one too!” he yelled at his boyfriend, sending him back a step. With that whirled around and went back to cooking, missing the utterly crushed look that flickered across the other's noble features.
What- What the hell?! What the hell had he done to deserve that? Shocked and wounded, Sasuke stood there for a couple moments, arms limp at his sides. He'd only been trying to spend time with the blond. Why had he reacted this way? Did he do something wrong? Was Naruto feeling sick? What was it-
Nothing made sense, so with a heavy heart Sasuke started back out towards their room, throwing a pitiful “Fine.” over his shoulder.
Breakfast was a tense occurrence. It had been such a long time since their last real fight, that it came as shock when both suddenly realized that somehow they were long overdue for an evaluation of their relationship. Not the type that lead to break-ups. Never. That wasn't even a thought their minds comprehended. Ever. Because they both knew they loved each other and that whatever came their way they would be able to get through. They just also knew that no relationship was perfect.
So with that in mind they were able to at least consider this as a healthy bump in the road of their love for each other. Nothing wrong with that. But even so that did not stop them from throwing that logic onto the back bunner and letting their other emotions take rein.
Naruto was angry. No! He was furious. At Sasuke for pushing him like that and...mostly at himself for reacting the way he had. It had been grossly unfair of him to snap at his boyfriend like he did, but he wasn't going to apologize. At least not yet. He had a right to be mad and even if it left a bad taste in him mouth he was going to stay in this mood until Sasuke realized just exactly why he was like this. Stupid bastard. You'd think someone with his IQ would know the definition of 'no'.
Naruto continued moving about the kitchen, banging plates and silverware unnecessarily around. He slammed cupboards, smashed items down on the counters and let his annoyance bruise anything and everything that was caught in his grip. God dammit, What a way to start the fucking day.
So while Naruto was violently contemplating his dwindling reasons why he should be annoyed at his raven-haired lover Sasuke was exiting the shower. Sasuke had spent the last seven heartrending minutes under a spray of liquid ice, his mind registering nothing but the dull ache in his heart. He kept asking himself what he'd done wrong. Why Naruto has lashed out at him like that, but nothing came to mind. He wasn't usually this out of touch with the other man's moods, it was just that his lover was sometimes too unpredictable.
Sasuke was at a loss. He could fix thing if knew what he'd done wrong. He just didn't exactly know how to deal with this. He didn't want to deal with this, to be more precise. The night before had gone so perfectly and now that morning was becoming so fucked up. He wanted to go back in time-
With a dejected groan Sasuke got himself dressed in some comfortable house clothes, black slacks and a dark blue shirt and went about toweling drying his hair in a frustrated fashion. He rubbed and rubbed and rubbed until his skull finally became numb to the abuse. Once he was done he threw the poor towel at the laundry bin, letting it sit forgotten on the ground when it missed it's mark.
He hadn't deserved it. He'd done nothing wrong, Naruto was just on some weird power trip. That had to be it. Seriously. He'd been practically begging to spend time with his lover and all he'd gotten was the cold shoulder and a headache. Well fuck that.
Slowly his sadness was burning away into a righteous anger, his eyes narrowed into a glare with a frown marring his face.
He slightly understood that yes, Naruto had been trying to cook and do something nice for him in celebration of the night before, but there had been no reason for how the blond had treated him. Pushing all reason away he let himself stay angry, stalking out of the room intent on giving his boyfriend a piece of his mind.
It didn't last though.
Hearing his boyfriend come stomping into the kitchen Naruto had turned around and caught his eye, something challenging lying beneath the blue depths. He dared Sasuke to say something. Anything that gave him a reason to lash out again tell him what a pompous jerk he was.
Sasuke noticed it quickly and with a growl, ducked his head away bitterly. No. Now itt wasn't worth it. He was the bigger man and as such he was just going to let the idiot figure it out by himself. He wasn't going to yell at him or- waste a single breath on explaining it to him period! He stood there dumbly for a few seconds before shaking out of his inner turmoil, grabbing the back of one of the dinning table chairs and promptly seating himself down with a cold grace.
Naruto didn't react to any of it. He was calm, moving around the kitchen, the sound of plates clinking together taking the place of his usual mindless chatter. He went about serving them the finally completed meal, walking over to the table with two plates of French Toast. Sasuke's favorite.
With as much attitude he could pull off without making too obvious, Naruto dropped one of the plates of food in front of his boyfriend, the plate clattering noisily before coming to a three-sixty stop. He didn't wait for any sort of comment from the other man before going to the other side of the table and seating himself somewhat calmly. Without any formality or even the customary cry of “Itadakimasu.” Naruto dug in, a bottle of maple syrup tilted over his toast, the gooey inner liquid falling in honey-colored globs onto his food. He was hell bent on enjoying his breakfast no matter what and maple syrup always made him feel better in the mornings. Not that it would stop him from still being mad at his boyfriend, but at the very least his tongue could be happy.
Sasuke on the other hand just sat there, looking down at his food with his face pinched back in disgust. He couldn't believe it. Naruto was being so childish at the moment Sasuke was speechless.
That-...he-...Naruto had actually served him- burnt food!
How petty. The raven thought ruefully, standing up from the table and taking his plate with him over to the sink. He dropped it in without care, food and everything and walked over to the refrigerator, yanking it open. Let that dobe deal with the dishes. He peered inside with steely eyes, ignoring the the blond's obvious effort to goad him with the small appreciative noises and the occasional moan of contentment as he ate his breakfast. Sasuke wouldn't give in though. All there was left now was too fight fire with fire.
Pale hands reached out and grabbed some milk, eggs and a stick of butter. He then walked around to the other side of this kitchen and reached into the pantry, pulling out a bag of flour and chocolate chips. All the ingredients gathered snuggly in his arms Sasuke walked to one of the empty counters and dropped them onto the counter top. Conveniently there was a mixing bowl and egg-beater in the smaller side of the sink, already clean. He grabbed them too and proceeded to prepare himself a batch of chocolate chip pancakes. Naruto's favorite.
Only fair right? Right.
It wasn't too much later that the smell of freshly made pancakes wafted through the kitchen, the sizzle of chocolate filled batter taking up the silence that the lack of conversation left. Naruto was done with his food in a hurry and not wanting to be in the same room with his boyfriend any longer he cleaned up the dishes quickly- including the ones Sasuke had left in there too- not willing to leave the house dirty just because the other man wanted to get back at him. Of course that was what he was trying to do. Get back at him that is.
Naruto loved chocolate chip pancakes but knew he didn't deserved any, for being rude enough to lay burnt food in front of Sasuke. That had been wrong, but he was not going to apologize. He'd been right in getting mad. He'd been right in feeling that the raven was being insensitive towards him. Still bitter and slightly hurt that his boyfriend was retaliating, Naruto walked to the door and pushed it open. He didn't exit yet though. Turning he regarded the back of the raven's head, Naruto glared a little and asked for the raven's attention. “Sasuke?”
Silence was the rude inquiry of Sasuke's response.
The blue-eyed man sighed and walked out of the kitchen then as he threw a dismissive. “Clean up when you're done.” More out of habit than anything else. “Oh. And the guys will be here in about an hour.” His tone stiff and sad he walked out, his steps echoing behind him.
More silence and after that the sound of a swinging door was all that was left of Naruto's presence.
Now that Naruto was gone, leaving the poor raven to his own devices, Sasuke began dreading the rest of the day. Fuck . It was their week to host “Sport Sunday”, the time of every other week where Naruto, their friends and himself would gather at someones house to enjoy a day of sports. He had completely forgotten even after the reminder he'd been given the day before.
Dammit. How do I get out of this? He asked himself, absentmindedly flipping one of his pancakes in the air and hearing it hit the pan again with a sizzled 'plop'. Ugh, I can't just leave for the rest of the day. I have no excuse. He was on vacation and everyone knew that. Sasuke glared holes into the counter and let out a long suffering sigh. This was not the day to have people over. He knew, just knew that they would all notice. It would be impossible not to notice. Sasuke and Naruto were inseparable and so the second anyone saw them tiptoeing around the other they were going to be bombarded with 'concerned' friends and a lot of make believe relationship therapy.
His appetite lost to the over shadowing of day ahead Sasuke turned off the stove and went about cleaning up the rest of the kitchen. He was quiet, dejected as he did so, his mood adding to the think layer of unbalance already settled and rooted throughout the house.
Hearing the door bell's ring echoing deafeningly through the house Sasuke felt a tight clenching in his stomach. He'd be the first to admit that his behavior was very unlike himself, but he didn't really care. He wanted to be mad, and would childishly cling to it until he got an apology. He was hurt. Nothing else in the world could effect him like Naruto could. So yes! He was hurt, disheartened, his nerves shot to hell and mind reeling with uncertainties.
He got up, his insides mush while on the outside his body spoke with confidence and control. Despite his inner turmoil he was determined to stick it out. He had an unbeatable poker face, being a lawyer coming in handy now, more than ever, as he schooled his features into his usual nonchalant mask. He wouldn't give anything away.
A small group was already gathered in his living room when he entered. As he made a quick sweep of the room he was sure to make eye contact with his boyfriend who was in front of the TV, setting up for the rest of the day. He was not going to look like a coward either.
An old friend from college, Kiba and his girlfriend Sarge were there, seated in their usual spot in the middle of their over-sized couch. They usual arrived early and it was a relief to see them so with a friendly smile, nodded back in greeting when they waved him a hello. They were both in law enforcement, explaining how they had both met, but what Sasuke had found to be ironic and befitting of the couple was Kiba's love for dogs and Sarge's love for cats. They were both very loyal to other and each other, traits Sasuke admired and respected. Though they both tended to act like teenage adults they were some of his best friends. He would never admit it to anyone, because he wasn't a very open person to begin with, but he treasured all his friends almost as much as he loved Naruto. It was hard to find better people in the world. Plus, Sarge had his old friend wrapped quite firmly around her pinky giving Sasuke free rein over the torture of the K-9 detective.
They motioned him closer but shaking his head, left them to their conversation that they seemed to be so passionately involved in before as he continued his search around the room. Another friend, a colleague from work, was there as well with his boyfriend in the corner. Gaara was- well he was a bitchy little redhead with anger management problems and a very stoic personality. It surprised Sasuke the first time he'd seen Lee. So animated and all over the place, but later he figured that it was a nice balance. Their story was slightly complicated considering he never got along with Gaara at first, but Naruto again had been the glue that held the friendship together until they could stand alone. Now they were partners and Gaara and Lee had been to almost ever sport day since it was started. Sasuke respected them both immensely even though Lee was a little too over the top for him. They too took notice of him and while Lee was very enthusiastic in his hello, Gaara was much more subtle, just giving a simple nod in greeting. He answered with a nod of his own and finished his sweep of the room with a sigh.
Looks like Sai and his date still have to get here before we can start. It was expected of the other raven. Sai liked to make people wait. Sasuke really didn't mind the other man, but somethings about him did grate on his nerves. Sai's earlier involvement in Naruto's life had also been a sore sport for him, but he'd learned to let it go. No reason to be contemptuous of someone who be visiting your house every other week; whether he liked it or not. Sai had been Naruto's first for a lot of things, a fact that Sasuke would rather forget, but in the end Naruto was his so it didn't matter.
At one point during Sasuke's observations he had to stop and frown a little at himself. Even after all was said and done Naruto was still the most prominent thing in his mind. God dammit. This was counter productive to his earlier plans. Muttering darkly under his breathe he ignored everyone and stalked over to his chair, taking a seat with his arms crossed over his chest. This was normal so no one questioned it, but if only they could read his thoughts.. They would mostly likely question is sanity. He was being very unlike himself, but for now everyone would just wait around until Sai got here and then the 'fun' could begin. Fun my ass. Today's going to be hell.
It wasn't long before Sai did make his appearance. He was very imposing in his entrance, swing their door open without so much as a knock and walking in as if he lived there. This was just how Sai was. Informal and uncaring of how he came off in the presence of others. Though, if you asked some people they would say it was charming. Sasuke just found it annoying. He sent a greeting his way nonetheless and watch as Sai went around the room to introduce his date. That it was a she was the biggest surprise for all of them, but it was a good change.
Amy was her name. She didn't look older then twenty-five, her small stature taking away from any look of rapid aging that some women were cursed with. She had a pair of soft dark brown eyes and dark blue-highlighted ebony hair. Sarge took an instant liking to her, running over to pull her into an energetic hug.
“Yes! Finally. I'm not the only girl anymore. Amy! Me and you are gonna be good friends.” Sarge declared loudly, pulling the other girl with her to the couch so as to get to know one another better.
On the other end Naruto walked over to Sai, gave him a large hug and asked. “Where'd you find her? She's cute.” And Sai went about explaining to everyone how's he'd met his new girlfriend, a cheerful blond enthralled in the conversation. Sasuke couldn't explain it, but there was a burn from his heart to his stomach that made him shift in his chair uncomfortably. Naruto didn't act at all like there was something weighting him down. He was at ease and apparently out to enjoy his day.
Everyone else as well were in high spirits and ready to get the day underway they all started to settle down around the living room. Gaara and Lee sat down on the opposite love seat, cuddled together with their hips pressed firmly against one another while Sai and Kiba took their respective seats next to their girlfriends on the adjacent couch. It was a large enough couch to fit another person, but since Naruto would sit with Sasuke in the other love seat they spread out.
“So what are we going to watch first?” Kiba asked, sensibly, once they all seemed ready. They never really had set games they wanted to watch so they would channel surf until they found something; unless of course someone did have a preference.
“Oh! How about a basketball game?” Amy offered, her head resting gently against Sai's chest. “Today's the playoffs.”
“Yeah. I want to see who wins.” Sarge chimed in, nudging Kiba in the ribs so he would agree with her.
“No. Basketball is the most sexually frustrated sport. Lets watch Football instead.”(1) Sai said, gaining him many pairs of confused gazes to which he would only reply with a shrug.
No one was going to dare question Sai about what he meant. It would just lead too a very detailed explanation that would scar some of them and just confuse the rest even more.
“Ummm...Alright. Gaara, Lee? How about you guys? What do you guys wanna watch?” Naruto asked from his spot next to the TV, remote in hand as he absentmindedly flipped through the sport channels.
“Beach Volleyball.” Was Gaara non-comical response. At this Sarge stifled a giggle while Lee looked down at his boyfriend fondly and the rest of them just sent him amused stares. Gaara had this unhealthy obsession with sand. No one really knew where he got it from, but again no one dared asked for the same reason they never questioned Sai.
“Here well split the difference.” Naruto laughed, putting the remote back in it's spot on the coffee table that sat in front of the couch. “First basketball and then beach volleyball, if we can find it, and then football. Is everyone okay with that?” He questioned, turning bright blue eyes on his friends.
Sasuke couldn't care less at this point; obivously Naruto didn't care to ask him on his preference so it just didn't matter to him. He just wanted the games to start and end quickly so he go back to his office and brood.
But collective agreeable mutter answered the blond anyway. He nodded and started to walk towards the kitchen, posing his next questions over his shoulder, “The regular drinks for everyone? And what can I get you Amy-chan?” being the ever polite host.
“Oh. Any soda you have is fine, thank you Naruto-kun.” She was shy to answer, smiling kindly at him.
“No problem, m'lady!” Naruto declared energetically, bowing for effect.
“Oh! Naruto! Could I get a soda too? I'm the one driving tonight.” Sarge turned her head to ask the blond, while everyone just gave him an affirmative on his earlier inquiry.
“Coming right up!” (2)And he disappeared into the kitchen.
The channel on was the one that was this years basketball championships. Miami Heats against the Dallas Mavericks. First to four wins. This was their sixth game, Heats in the lead by one game, but if the Mavericks could just win this one they would be tied for first. It was the first five minutes of the game with Mavericks in the lead sixteen to ten.
It was interesting to say the least, Dirk Nowitzki holding his own against the Heats star player Shaquille O'Neal. Mavericks looked to have the advantage in this game with their own lead player making all his shots.
This would be the perfect game to get some good gambling in. That was really what made the sport so much fun.
Kiba gave a smile and looked over at Lee with an innocent tilt of his head. “Hey Lee.” he called out.
Lee pulled his eyes away from the screen and gave his friend a smile back, asking politely. “Yes, Kiba-kun?”
“How's about a bet?” The game had hardly started yet so now wold be the perfect time to start.
“Sure! I'll gamble something on the...Hmm..” Lee paused and let his eyes flicker briefly back to the game. “The Mavericks!” he declared in an overly exuberant manner.
Grin widening the barest fraction to where you could see a small hint of fang Kiba nodded and laid the terms of the bet out for them. “Alright. I bet my secret stash of beefy jerky that the Heats kick the Mavericks to the curb in this game and on them winning the cup today.”
Lee nodded back vigorously, almost wiggling in his seat. “And if you win?” Despite common belief he wasn't completely clueless and as such knew that Kiba was out to get a certain something out of this.
“Hmmm. Good question. I think...” Kiba tapped his chin in mock thought. “Nothing too big. How about-” He stopped and gave a a toss of his head, coupled with with a gruff laugh. “If I win you gimme your boxers.” (3)
“That doesn't sound bad- Wait-” Blinking owlishly at the brunette Lee gave a pause.
Then-
“What?! Why the hell do you want his boxers?” Sarge practically yelled into her boyfriends ear, causing him to wince and rub at the abused appendage with a whimper.
“Ow babe. I know they don't look like much, but my ears are important and I need them to work properly.” Kiba didn't have time to complain about his ear for long though as a hard smack caught him in the back of the head.
“Pervert!” Sarge scolded with a teasing pout.
“How am I a pervert? All I want is to make some money.” Kiba stated, a pair of impressive puppy eyes aimed at his girlfriend.
“How are you going to make money off Lee's boxers? Dumbass.” Sasuke asked from his seat, his face blank except for the small sneer the adorned his lips. No one paid any particular attention to Sasuke's vicious tone of voice. He was probably just PMS'ing.
“Sell it back of course.” The brunette answered back.
“But um...Kiba-kun? Why would I buy my boxers back after losing them in a bet?” Lee said, almost as if it were a statement.
Kiba shook his head and gave a frustrated sigh, turning back to his friend to yell. “Not you!”
“Who else would want Lee-kun's boxers?” Amy half mumbled to everyone, asking for most of the answer to be from Sai.
No one would give a verbal answer though, all eyes turning to regard the glaring redhead seated snuggly next to his boyfriend instead.
“Glad you all caught on. Now, do we have a deal Lee?” Kiba growled, un-fazed by the holes Gaara was trying to burn into his skull. He'd been associated with Sasuke so long he just become immune to all types of dirty looks at some point.
“Sure, Kiba-kun, but I don't think you plan to get any money out of Gaara is going to work. The Mavericks are going to win” Lee gave an easy smile, pointing to the game where Dirk Nowitzki just made a twenty-five foot, three point jumper with an assist from Jason Terry, only to get one in return from the tattooed brunette.
“Ha! Don't be so sure. Dwyane Wade is going to mop the floor with Dick over there.” Kiba barked out, laughing, only to have to stop and clutch at his head again with a yelp. “Itta! Sarge! What was that for?”
“Because I bet no sex for a month that the Mavericks are going to win!” She smiled, knowing her boyfriend couldn't turn down the bet now.
A horrified look crossing Kiba's face he quickly covered it and gave a weak smile and nod. “Fine- but if I win Akumaru sleeps on the bed for the rest of the year.” At least this way only one of them would be in the dog house.
“Fine!” Sarge clapped, crying out joyously at the same moment Naruto returned with their drinks.
“What's up guys? How's the game going?” He inquired, eying his friends suspiciously. Something just wasn't right when Lee and Kiba had the same look of nervousness on their faces.
“Well Mavericks are in the lead at this point. Lee-kun and Sarge-chan are betting against Kiba-kun in them winning todays game.” Sai suppled helpfully, leaning over to help his friend set of the snacks that the blond had brought along with him as well.
“Oh please, dog-breath. How dumb do you have to be? Mavericks are going to kick the Heats ass.” Naruto asserted as he began to hand out drinks.
The brunette snorted. “Right. Coming from the loser who really believed there was such things as a 'tree octopus'.” Kiba retorted with a smirk. Everyone else gave a snorts of amusement too while Amy and Sarge started laughing in muffled giggles against their hands. Sasuke just kept glaring, rather glad that no attention was on him, but still in a bad mood that wasn't going away anytime soon. Lessen maybe, but go away? Hell not. Not before I get my apology.
Naruto turned a scalding shade of red and with a glare that did indeed lightened Sasuke's mood, if only just slightly, yelled back. “How was I supposed to know?! The website looked real!”(4) looking ready to to throw something at his friend.
“Yeah yeah. And they also took the word gullible out of the dictionary.” The brunette said, rolling his eyes; but the sarcasm in the statement was completely lost to the blue-eyed man.
“No way!” Naruto cried disbelieving before he darted to the book case, pulling out a dictionary and flipping through the pages in search if the 'missing' word.
Kiba nearly collapsed from laughter, “Dear god, Uchiha! I never did believe you could fuck someone's brains until now.” the females next to him doing nothing now to restrain their giggles while Lee was trying to bite back a full blown laugh and Sai was adding his own dark chuckle to the noise. Gaara was silent, just watching.
“His stupidity was there long before I started fucking him, so keep your mouth shut Inuzuka.” Was Sasuke's rather harsh reply instantly, sobering the fun. Naruto had visibly bristled at the comment and putting the dictionary back in it spot walked back to where everyone was. They watched him carefully, because in all honesty he looked just seconds away from decking his boyfriend. Well...This was new. They all shared concerned glances while keeps wary eyes on the glaring couple.
“That's right Kiba. It's not Sasuke's fault. It'd be to much to ask of him to take responsibly for something he's done wrong.” Naruto answered tersely, his patience stretching beyond it's limits at the moment.
“No. After all I'm not a mind reader. It would be a lot like me expecting you to act like an adult instead of 'petty-minded' fool.” Sasuke sneered back, fingers flexing hard into his own arm as he gazed back at his lover through two twin pools of ice. He sounded so bitter that one almost felt the need to stick out their tongue and with a sour face, wait till it went away.
Well- their bickering was nothing new, considering they liked to play fight a lot, but there was something actually wrong this time. Amy leaned in close to her boyfriend
Slamming a plastic cup onto the table Naruto turned and with his fists clenched tightly, snarled viciously. “You'll have to forgive me if I find acting like a 'petty minded fool' more appealing than acting like someone who can only love while having sex!” He didn't move towards his boyfriend though. He went about finishing handing out the drinks, everyone taking theirs without a word. The tension was too thick to do anything else.
Sasuke didn't say anything for a second, his mouth agape in shock. Was that...Is that what he thinks of me?! He watched as Naruto finished playing the host, everything distributed now and instead of coming over to sit next to him, like it would have been expected, he watched as the blond walked over to the opposite side of the couch and ask Kiba to kindly 'move his ass'.
Naruto took his seat when given enough room too and in an effort to ignore everything he started at the TV screen with an unblinking and unwavering gaze.
No one made a sound. It would be suicide to even breathe the wrong way.
Kiba, having known the couple the longest, took it upon himself though to ask the one question everyone wanted answered, but where no one was stupid enough to ask- except him of course.
“Um, guys? What's going on here?”
“Nothing Kiba. Lets just watch the game. I want to see Mavericks wipe the floor with those losers from Miami.” Naruto answered for them both.
Of course no one bought it, but there was really nothing else they could do, now was there?. Not willing to push the issue or do something that could cause the tension to get worse they all just silently agreed to watch the game without bringing up anymore on the fight. Whatever it was would be solved after they were all gone, plus- why not try to get their minds off it?
Finding it safer not to meddle they all ignored the obvious animosity and went back to watching the game.
Sasuke though was having a mental battle, the likes of which would cause anyone to run away for fear of being torn apart. Back and forth, interpretations being made on how long their relationship could last from jumping to conclusions that had no real standing. It was tireless, his brain going sending out invisible waves of frazzled nerves. But in the end all that really stuck to him as the rest swan around restlessly was the fact that Naruto had decided not to bring him a drink as well. Sasuke felt pathetic as he lifted him from his chair and walked over to the kitchen to get himself something that would certainly sooth his rattled mind.
I need a beer.
No one, especially not Naruto, missed the utterly crushed look on the ravens face when he returned.
“Ha! What did I tell you?! Heats win!” Kiba cheered, sharing a winning grin with the only other person in the room who thought that the Heats were going to win too. “They beat those rednecks a new one didn't they Sai my man?”
“That they did Kiba-kun.” Sai agreed as he watched the replay of of Jason Terry missing the game winning three point jumper, two seconds before the final buzzer sounded again.
“Oh shut up!” Naruto punched the brunette in mock indignation. “They won by one point! You know that if Dirk Nowitzki had had the ball the Mavericks would have won.”(5)
“Yeah!” Amy and Sarge said at the same time. They looked slightly put out at the grins their boyfriends seemed to have stuck to their faces.
“Now now. We lost fair and square. There's nothing to be angry about.” Lee said in a compromising way.
Sarge and Naruto pouted at him though, Sarge speaking for all three of them when she said “Easy for you to say Lee. All you lost was a pair of boxers that Gaara is just gonna buy back for you. I have to sleep with two dogs on my bed now.” and completely ignore Kiba's outraged yell of complaint.
“She's right man. Now I owe both these assholes,” Naruto started and stabbed a thumb in the direction of the two brunettes sitting next to him, “a hundred bucks each.” and finished, adding in his own reason for acting crossing at the loss.
“Don't be such sore losers.” Kiba interrupted, grabbing a handful of chips.
“I wouldn't be so cocky considering that as long as Akumaru stays on the bed is as long as you don't get laid, my friend.” Naruto said smiling as he stole a chip for his friends hand.
“Pfft. Please. I'm undeniable.” gloated the tattooed brunette.
“That's what you think.” Sarge then answered, looking down at her boyfriend with a smirk.
Laughing, Naruto got up and started cleaning up all the empty cups, watching with amused eyes along with everyone else as Kiba begged his girlfriend to reconsider taking away his sexual activities.
“Babe! That's not fair!”
“Of course it's fair! I'm not having sex with you while the dog is on the bed!”
“Who says we gotta do it on the bed? C'mon. You can't just say no to sex for a month!”
“Watch me.”
“Sargeeeeeeeeee”
And for the first time in the last thirty minutes Naruto took his first look over at his boyfriend. Sasuke sat with his head bowed and eyes locked on the top of his feet, which rested on the foot stool that laid in front of the seat. To anyone else they would have seen a blank face, devoid of any emotions that could give away his inner struggles, but Naruto knew better. His aura pulsed with dejection and hopelessness. Naruto felt the weight of his earlier words sink in and with a sharp bite to his lip came to quick decision. He could not let this fight continue. “Hey. Does everyone want another drink?” He asked and started back to the kitchen. Ssasuke didn't make any moment or noise.
The rest of them either nodded or vocalized their consent, waiting patiently until he returned with an armful of drinks before starting up another round of betting.
“Naruto. Chicago against New York, who you betting on?” Sarge asked, looking at the screen with a contemplative stare.
“I'm saving what's left of my money. Count me out of this round.” He answered, walking around and handing out drinks again.
“Aw. And here I was hoping to get that new bullet proof vest they have out.” Kiba whined.
“Tough luck. Better for me if you get shot because then I won't have to lose another bet to you again.”
“Ouch blondie. That's harsh.”
“Yeah yeah, bleed me a river.” Naruto grinned back, face falling to a sad pout as he came to a stop next to his boyfriend. “Sasuke?” He poked at his shoulder, jarring the raven softly from his silent reprieve.
Sasuke looked up, causing a hush to fall over the room again.”What?” he barked, sounding less angry then they would have imagined.
Naruto flinched nevertheless as he extended a hand with a beer cradled in it. “Here.”
There was a pause where collectively they all began to realize that this was Naruto's nonverbal apology to his boyfriend for whatever had happened and in that knowledge all eyes turned to regard Sasuke with varying degrees of uncertainty.
Sasuke on the other hand didn't pay anyone, except the blue-eyed man in front of him, any attention. Slowly his worries and over all bad mood started to drain away just by staring at his lover standing their holding out something for him. He didn't even realize when his lips twitched, he was so relieved that their fight was coming to an end.
“Thank you.” He finally said after some time, letting everyone else also take a relieved breath. He reached out and took the can of beer from a tanned hand.
“You're welcome.” was the genuine reply, a small smile creeping across scarred cheeks before Naruto made a turn to go back to his seat.
Sasuke did not let him get far however. Reaching out again he wrapped pale fingers around a tanned wrist and gave a firm tug.
Naruto, unbalanced by the unexpected pull on his arm, took two steps back before his heel caught the rug at a weird angle and was sent tumbling back into Sasuke's lap.
They both gave simultaneous grunts of discomfort.
“Sasuke! What the hell was that for?” Naruto screeched, pouting playfully.
“Holy- you're getting fat.” the raven retorted, gaining him a good smack. He looked over at his friends with a smile, who were looking back at them and laughing and said “Keep the chips over by the other side of the table.”
“I am not fat! Take that back!” Naruto started to wiggle around, fighting to get back to his feet.
“Not a chance.” And Sasuke wrapped an arm securely around Naruto's waist, keeping him from continuing to try to get away.
“Ugh. You're such a bastard sometimes.”
“Only because you're an idiot.”
“Yeah? And you still love me anyway!”
And then there was pause where Sasuke buried his nose against the crook of his boyfriends neck, mumbling something against the tanned skin that only Naruto could hear.
Mhm. I love you with all my heart.
(2) I couldn't help it! AHAHAHA! That sounds so perverted to me. Gomen Gomen. It's just...Ahahahaha! Rofl.
(3) I did this. Thank god my friend didn't make me give him my boxers. I love my boxers. :3 We bet on every game too. It was fun. Too bad I hate him now. I thought it was fucking real too! Don't laugh! XD
(4)http :// / treeoctopus / Remove the spaces. I swear I thought they were real too! XD
(5) I wanted the Mavericks to win so badly too! ;-; Stupid Heats. GAHHHHH! 87 to 88. So not fair! Mavericks rule!!! And I just love Dirk! D I'm a Dirk Nowitzki fangirl :Waves banner: He kicks Shaq's ass any day of the fucking week!
Plushie StickyNote: For all of you who have read Law & Order and are thinking "Oh! This must be a preview of what will happen after the story ends" You're wrong. I was, in short, too unconcerned with thinking up new jobs for everyone. So yes! Sasuke is a lawyer here, Kiba and Sarge are cops. BUT! No Naruto, here, was never in a gang. Gaara will not turn out to be in a partnership with Sasuke, and in Law & Order Sai is not bisexual. Thank you 3 Please leave a review on your way out! They make me happy and if I'm up at 3:30 at night working to get something out for you guys I had better be trying to make me happy! AHAHAHAHAAH! XD
Quote: "You can't blow up the world!...That's where I keep my stuff!"
©2007 Ruby Plushie
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