Chapter Text
And so it was with a very, very slow pace that Saturday morning finally rolled around. Naruto was so excited he hardly slept the night before. He waited patiently for the digital numbers on the clock to tick over, staring at it so much his eyes began to water. When the clock suddenly showed 6.00 exactly Naruto started smiling stupidly as he sat up and bent over the still sleeping Sasuke, shaking him like he would shake the remnants of the trash bag into the bin.
“Time to get up Sasuke! It’s 6am, just like you promised! Come on, wake up already!” Naruto could hardly contain his voice, but he knew if he started yelling then all hell would break loose. Sasuke could hardly handle Naruto’s antics when he was fully awake. A Sasuke that just woke up was not a Sasuke that you wanted to piss off. To do so was basically a death sentence.
However when Naruto saw the shifting of the sheets and a not-so-subtle groan he knew he was safe. An annoyed Sasuke he could deal with.
“I’m up Dobe.” Was the grumbled reply as Sasuke rolled over, glared at Naruto for good measure, and sat up, stretching his arms up over his head and giving a loud yawn.
Naruto was already up and out of bed, foregoing a shower yet again. As Sasuke made his way toward the bathroom, Naruto held out an arm, stopping him. Sasuke raised a questioning brow at the blonde, who was staring at him determinedly.
“Sorry Sasuke, you can’t have a shower this morning.” Naruto said in a very serious voice, which made Sasuke’s other eyebrow rise.
“And why is that?” He asked boredly, yet Naruto kept up his figure of seriousness. This was of the utmost importance and he couldn’t have Sasuke taking his time when Naruto could barely stop himself from bursting the question out any minute now.
“The pipes are shot. Apparently dirty water comes out instead. But don’t worry, it’ll all be fixed by this evening.”
Crossing his arms over his chest, Sasuke directed a sceptical glare at the blonde, and Naruto could see his mind already forming its own deductions. He swallowed hardly, as Sasuke chose one of his probably many questions and asked it, “How do you know that? You just got up.”
Breathing out a soft sigh of relief, Naruto replied, “Chouji called me up last night while you were asleep and let me know. He said as soon as he turned on the taps it was spurting out all this brown water and shit, said it was so disgusting he had to go over to Ino’s house and shower there.”
Thank God Naruto had thought ahead. He had lived with Sasuke long enough to know his method of interrogation, and on the rare occasion Naruto narrowly avoided spilling the beans. And it seemed that luck was on his side this morning when Sasuke turned away from the bathroom and walked back over to the dresser.
“Fine. I guess it can wait until this evening.” Sasuke then dropped his clothes on the dresser, and began to strip.
And then Naruto’s brain lost all of its drive and focus and total seriousness. It was rare of Sasuke to undress in front of him, unless they were messing around in which case the clothes were more torn off than pulled off. But now Sasuke was slowly taking off his shirt, and it was so much better to see.
Naruto momentarily forgot his goal of getting to the mountains and advanced towards the Uchiha, wrapping his arms around his waist.
“You look really good like that.” He murmured, kissing down Sasuke’s neck slowly. To his surprise, Sasuke tilted his head to the side, allowing Naruto more room.
“I thought I looked good all the time, or was that just your big mouth spouting nonsense again.” Sasuke said, combing a hand through his unruly hair in what Naruto knew was meant to be a sexual gesture. The bastard.
“No, that was true. But you look the best when you’re in nothing at all, know what I mean?” Naruto murmured against his neck, his hands roaming across the taut muscles on the pale stomach.
Naruto heard an intake of breath, released with a scoff and he smirked. His lips dragged across to Sasuke’s shoulder blades, where he began kissing softly. “Well then you better let me finish undressing then idiot, if you want to see me dressed to my best.”
Blue eyes widened slightly at that. Sasuke was never usually one for initiating foreplay. Sure, when he wanted to do it he did, but it was more common for Naruto to ‘get the party started’ so to speak. So when Sasuke’s hands undid the string of his loose-fitting pants and they dropped to the floor, Naruto was starting to feel quite stimulated.
He was so caught up in the shock of it all he hadn’t realised he had stopped his actions completely, just staring at Sasuke’s almost naked frame in awe. Turning around in his arms, Sasuke smirked when he saw his expression.
“Like what you see?” Naruto’s eyes snapped up to meet Sasuke’s smirking face and he felt his cheeks go red. Damn. He really spaced out on that one.
Taking a step closer, Sasuke took one of Naruto’s hands in his own, and placed it against his stomach once more. Only this time, Sasuke was slowly guiding it downwards, and Naruto’s mouth fell open when he realised Sasuke’s intentions.
Leaning in until he was right next to Naruto’s ear, Sasuke continued to move the tanned hand while he murmured, “Do you want to finish it off for me?” His voice was seductive and sexy and ever so tempting that Naruto had no intention of stopping. His fingers suddenly closed around the waistband of Sasuke’s briefs, and then Naruto remembered.
Crap! What am I doing? I’m supposed to be at the mountains proposing like a dumb romantic fool by now, and here I am about to fool around with Sasuke! Dammit! He always picks the wrong moments to act like this!
His mind got side-tracked when he felt a hot breath of air next to his ear, and he had no time to prepare before Sasuke started kissing behind his ear again.
Groaning in appreciation, Naruto craned his neck up higher, begging Sasuke to continue. And Sasuke did. Naruto really didn’t want it to stop, but he couldn’t let it go on any longer.
But it’s Sasuke! Sasuke almost naked standing before you willingly and kissing you and you’re just gonna step back and say ‘Thanks but no thanks’? No way! I didn’t get any fun last night and I’m making up for it now!
Keeping his hands in the same position, Naruto seriously debated on whether a quick handy would be alright. After all, it would only take fifteen minutes max, and then they just had to get ready and go.
But he was starting to get aroused and when Naruto got aroused he happened to say stupid and truthful things in the heat of the moment, often secrets he had been keeping from Sasuke or surprise dates and the like. And he was afraid that if things continued this way then his tongue might slip and then he would truly have no chance at doing this right at all.
No. No, this-this can wait. Just get to the damn mountains, pop the damn question and then you can come home and hopefully get laid!
…Or I could be packing my bags. Gah! Don’t think about it! Take it slow. First, get away from him.
And so it was with great reluctance and the most impressive amount of will power Naruto was sure he had ever had in his life that he removed his hand from Sasuke’s lower regions and glanced over at the bedside clock, “Ah! Look at the time! We’re gonna be late!” Naruto took a few steps away from Sasuke and turned around, quickly throwing off his night clothes and pulling on his day ones.
He didn’t want to turn around. Even with his back turned, he could feel the angered glare burning on him. Another sort of Sasuke you didn’t want to mess with was a horny Sasuke. He was definitely going to get the cold shoulder for a good half hour now. Perfect.
“B-Better get ready Sasuke! Don’t wanna hold up the party y’know?” Naruto wondered whether he was asking for a death wish, because from the tone of Sasuke’s reply he was sure he had.
“Right, of course. I wouldn’t want to keep you from going to the ‘party’,” Sasuke then turned back around and in the fastest movements Naruto had ever seen had all of his clothes for the day on. He watched as Sasuke grabbed a comb and headed to the bathroom, ony ot hear his voice echo back before he shut the door, “By the way, the ‘party’ I was planning for tonight is cancelled.”
Ouch. That hurt. But keeping his determination, Naruto didn’t waver. Who knows? Maybe after he proposed to Sasuke and he on the miraculous and rapidly thinning chance said yes, they might celebrate with celebratory sex. The thought made Naruto’s mind turn dirty. That kind of sex was the best kind, all explosive and intense, especially when he was on the top and Sasuke was under him all panting and blushing–
Keep your mind out of the gutter Uzumaki and focus! This is your last chance to do this, so don’t screw it up!
Nodding in resolve, Naruto rapidly got dressed, dragged a comb through his unruly blonde hair and went down to the kitchen to boil the jug for Sasuke’s morning coffee. God knew he needed it now more than ever.
XXX
An hour-long car ride later Naruto and Sasuke were waiting in line to get atop one of the chairlifts which led up to the top of the mountain. The first half hour was eerily silent as Sasuke drove and Naruto sat there, trying to shrink away into the fabric of the car door. Sometimes he thought Sasuke was scarier when he didn’t say anything at all. But then after that Sasuke got over his annoyance and started up a conversation, and Naruto inwardly thanked whatever gods were up there that his bad mood disappeared so quickly. Sometimes it could last for hours, even a whole day!
Naruto really was a genius. What could be more romantic and perfect than a scenic chairlift ride up to the top of the mountain, followed by a cheesy speech declaring his undying love for Sasuke , and then getting down on one knee, pulling out a box containing two golden rings, and proposing to the love of his life?
He could practically hear the wedding bells chiming in the background, and that made him smile that goofy smile he used when he was being ‘stupid and sentimental’ as Sasuke dubbed it.
As they handed in their tickets, the guide told them to stand on the platform and wait for the chair to come round. Then, they were instructed to just sit down on it and pull the safety bar down over their heads.
When the next chair came, they both made a smooth entry into it, which was a miracle considering Naruto often had the ability of getting into sticky situations. He was rather pleased with himself about the whole thing.
“Congratulations on not falling flat on your face for once Dobe.” Sasuke commented as they slowly began to make their ascent to the top, and Naruto’s pleased grin turned into an irritated scowl.
“Shut up Sasuke! That was one time, and it wasn’t even my fault! The stupid lady stopped right in front of me!” Naruto argued, to which Sasuke smirked and rolled his eyes, muttering a ‘Whatever you say Dobe’ and turning his view to the landscape around them.
Naruto mimicked his actions, and let out an impressed gasp. It was beautiful. The mountains were capped with snow, as well as the snow draping down the length of it in dribs and drabs, which made it look breath-taking. The ground below was luscious and green, and the cabins and trees that lined it were so small and tiny.
Yeah, this was definitely the right choice. And once they got to the top, the view would be even better! And then he would finally, at long last, ask Sasuke to be his husband. Grinning, Naruto really thought luck was on his side today.
Suddenly, the chair came to a halt, stopping in mid-air, as did all the other chairs heading to the summit.
“What’s going on?” Naruto asked confusedly, turning around in his seat to glance at the other chairs behind them.
“Please do not panic. It appears that there has been a glitch in the system which has caused the chairs to freeze. Please remain in your seat and wait for further assistance. We apologise for this inconvenience and ask for your patience. Thank you.”
“Looks like we’re stuck here for a while.” Sasuke sighed, leaning back in the chair and looking straight ahead.
And Naruto swore he heard the wedding bells in the background of his mind crumble and crack as a gust of cold wind blew into his face.
XXX
As the time slipped by, Naruto was becoming less and less convinced that this was only a minor issue. As far as anyone could tell, the Emergency services hadn’t even arrived yet, and people were beginning to grow impatient. Things got even worse when the weather took a considerable drop in temperature. There was a little kid in front of him sitting with his father and he was starting to get upset, squirming and bouncing around in his seat, which made the line on which the others chairs hung quiver as well, doing nothing to calm Naruto’s nerves. His hands were clenching the safety bar in an iron-grip, his knuckles white from fear and the pressure of continuously keeping the tight hold.
Oh shit. Shit, shit, shit, shit, SHIT! We’re gonna die! We’re gonna die up here! Who are we kidding? Those Emergency services people aren’t coming! And if I don’t freeze to death first then I’ll become a bloody corpse on the ground beneath us thanks to this stupid little brat in front of me! Oh God! This is the end! Are we ever gonna–
“Hey.”
Naruto started at the sudden voice intruding upon his thoughts, only to realise it was Sasuke. He was looking at the blonde in concern, his arms crossed comfortably over his chest, nowhere near the bar. Sasuke wasn’t even shivering.
“Y-Yeah? What is it Sasuke?” Naruto managed to say, trying to keep his tongue from sticking to the roof of his mouth.
“Are you okay?” Sasuke’s eyes examined him up and down, as if trying to deduce the problem by that alone. It almost worked. Sasuke’s eyes were too dark, too deep. Naruto often couldn’t lie to those eyes.
“U-Uh, yeah. I’m fine. I-It’s all good.” A short chuckle escaped his lips before he took a sharp inhale of breath, the cold gust of wind blowing their way causing the blonde to shiver. But Naruto refused to remove his hands from the bar. There was no way in hell he was letting go. It was too scary to think of what would happen if he did.
The wind did not go away. Instead it decided to linger, to make Naruto suffer by blowing its bitter icy gale straight into his face, down his neck causing his whole body to tremble.
Naruto, assuming that they’d make a swift trip to the top, didn’t bother wearing anything like gloves, a scarf or a beanie. When he made his proposal to Sasuke, he didn’t want to seem awkward, digging around inside his many layers to find the ring. So Naruto had been smart and only worn his brown winter coat over a woollen sweater and dark blue jeans, despite Sasuke’s protests he would need them.
Yeah, real smart Naruto. I really am gonna freeze to death now.
Noticing how Naruto was now chattering his teeth, Sasuke sighed and shook his head, aiming a disapproving glare at the very cold blonde. “You idiot. I told you to wear more layers, and now look at you.”
“Wh-Who s-said I was c-cold anyway, b-bastard?” Naruto scowled through his chattering teeth, internally cursing himself for practically giving it away.
Turning his head away from his boyfriend, Naruto started to wonder why this was such a great idea in the first place. Every time he tried to do something great, to make a moment special, it always blew up in his face. All those times he had tried to surprise Sasuke when he planned a surprise date for them, he would always end up blurting it out by accident. Whenever he tried to be romantic, he would just become too nervous and yell at Sasuke for ruining it. But it wasn’t Sasuke’s fault. It was never his fault. He knew that Sasuke at least appreciated his effort, but Naruto always wanted to show Sasuke just how much he meant to him without stuffing everything up in the process.
This proposal, it wasn’t going to work, that was the plain and simple truth. Naruto would never have enough courage to say those four simple words to Sasuke. He knew he was being a coward, but he couldn’t help it. Rejection was what he feared most in life. When Sasuke accepted him, it was the best feeling in the world. He didn’t want to shatter that feeling because of his own selfish desire to get married.
It’s alright I guess. I mean, just because we’re not going to get married doesn’t mean we won’t be together forever right?
A sudden warmth spread over his neck, and carried all the way up to his ears. Naruto turned his head to see Sasuke wrapping his scarf around Naruto’s neck tightly, as if to seal in all the warmth it still held from his own body.
Naruto said nothing, but stared, wide-eyed at his boyfriend as he finished wrapping the scarf around his neck, returning his hands to his lap. Naruto felt a pang of guilt when he saw Sasuke wince a little at the cold wind on his now unguarded neck. Looking down, Naruto’s grip on the bar tightened as he forced his chapped lips open to speak.
“You didn’t have to do that, Sasuke.”
Glancing over at the blonde, Sasuke merely shrugged and looked back out over the skyline, a hint of smirk on his lips. “You’re right. I didn’t have to, but I did. So just shut up and wear it, idiot.”
Naruto pouted, but nonetheless welcomed the warmth of the scarf on his icy skin. Sasuke really was so strange at expressing emotion. Even though at times he may have acted like he didn’t care, Naruto could always tell that he did. Despite the fact he pretended that he was, Sasuke wasn’t a cold person. Actually deep down on the inside he was warmer than anyone would ever assume him to be.
Naruto was interrupted from his musings when he felt gloved hands take his own rigid, stiff ones into theirs, prying them off the bar. A sharp voice greeted his ears and left no room for argument.
“Take your hands off there, Dobe. I don’t want you to be stuck to it when we get off.”
Staring down at their joined hands, Naruto’s gaze changed to now rest on Sasuke, who was also gazing at Naruto. Then, a soft smile broke across Sasuke’s features, a gentle light shining in his eyes.
Naruto was certain his heartbeat doubled in speed because of that smile, he could feel it pulsing in his ears. He swallowed subtly, forcing down the anxious gulp he wanted to release. He started to tremble again, but this time not because of the weather.
To hell with it! I can’t take this anymore! I gotta know! I’m gonna do it! Now! I’m gonna do it now!
“Naruto?” Sasuke’s echoing voice becoming clearer to him, the raven’s smile now gone to be replaced by a look of concern.
Naruto raised his eyes in determination, and caught Sasuke’s in an unwavering gaze. If he was to finally ask him this very important `question, Naruto could not let his nerves get the best of him, or Sasuke would think he was just joking around. The best way to convince Sasuke about something was to maintain eye contact with him, so that was part of the equation done.
“Sasuke, I’ve got something to say. I’m not sure what you’ll think about it, but you’re not gonna move until I’m done, got it?”
Sasuke’s brow crinkled in confusion, the raven wondering how he would leave at all, unless it was by a helicopter or falling out of the seat. Regardless, he gave the blonde a nod, confirming that he wouldn’t interrupt him and let him speak until he had said all he needed to.
Letting out a breath, the atmosphere was so cold Naruto could see it before it faded away. This was it. This was the moment he had been waiting for. So many times before Naruto had told himself that, and that he would do it. But this time, it felt different. The circumstances may have been less than desirable, but looking into Sasuke’s eyes, one thought flowed through his mind.
It’s now or never.
Gathering up all of the blind courage and confidence he could muster, Naruto sucked in a deep breath, and then he started to speak.
“I had it all planned out. I thought if I was gonna do this then I’ve gotta do it right. So I came up with this idea that we should visit this godforsaken mountain. But let me tell ya, I didn’t plan for us to be stuck on a chairlift in mid-air freezing our asses off. It was supposed to just go smoothly, romantically. We’d get to the top and then all of a sudden I’d say it. But I guess you can’t plan the future, can you? If I decided to plan my future before it even happened, I probably never would have gotten the guts to tell you how I really felt that day.” Naruto let out a breath, licking his lips and swallowing past the lump in his throat, still holding onto Sasuke’s hands and slowly strengthening his hold on them.
“I can’t promise to be perfect, Sasuke. I’m clumsy, stupid and act on impulse about 90 per cent of the time. I know we have our bad days. But I know there’s no one else I would rather be with.” With his eyes still locked on Sasuke’s, he took notice of how Sasuke’s face displayed forced neutrality. Naruto was well aware of Sasuke’s rather placid personality, and it wasn’t strange to see no emotion on his face. But knowing Sasuke for so long, he was able to read when it was natural and when he was forcing it on to mask his inner feelings. Pushing the thought to the back of his mind, Naruto continued on.
“I don’t really know what I’d do without you. I mean, living without you isn’t really living at all. I always want to stay by your side, for as long as you’ll let me. So, that’s why…”
Naruto pulled a hand away from Sasuke’s, and reached down inside his coat pocket, his fingers closing around the box. Carefully, he pulled it out and Naruto was certain he saw Sasuke’s eyes go as wide as saucepans. His hands had fallen limply into his lap, and Naruto brought his other one up to rest on the top of the box.
“Naruto…” Sasuke murmured, his voice barely audible and laced with shock, something that Naruto was unused to hearing from him.
Although Sasuke’s gaze was now flickering between him and the box, Naruto kept his eyes steadily on Sasuke. Taking a deep breath, he opened the box to reveal a set of two golden rings. “Sasuke, will you marry me?”
And thus began the awkward silence after one asks such a question. Naruto felt a lot of the tension he’d been feeling leave him with finally asking Sasuke, but a heavy weight still hung over him. Now, he had to do what was probably the hardest part for a guy when proposing. He had to wait for an answer. And afterwards, if you asked him, Naruto would tell you it was the longest wait in his entire life.
Sasuke still hadn’t said a word. His eyes were staring down at the gold rings, shining in the winter sun as it streamed down through the clouds.
“Uh, hey, Sasuke…c-could you say something?” Naruto’s voice sounded meek and feeble even to his own ears, and later he would curse himself for sounding so pathetic. But right now, he didn’t care. He just wished that Sasuke would say something. Anything. It would be better than this unbearable silence.
Hearing his name, onyx eyes snapped up to meet his own cerulean ones in what can only be described as an almost distraught gaze. So many emotions were seen in those dark eyes, and Naruto didn’t think he had ever seen Sasuke experience so many all at the same time. There were many that Naruto couldn’t recognise, but he definitely saw the anxiousness flash through Sasuke’s eyes, and the previous self-confidence Naruto had dissipated like a block of ice on a hot summer’s day.
Sasuke was going to reject him. He really was going to say no. Naruto felt like he couldn’t breathe. His hands started to shake, and so did the ring box, but he didn’t care. Everything was over. Sasuke would say no and then he would probably break up with Naruto. But even when he felt his eyes start to water, he didn’t tear his gaze from Sasuke. If he was going to get rejected then he would hear Sasuke say it straight to his face.
And although Naruto waited, the answer never came. He was about to ask Sasuke to speak again when he was yanked forward, managing to keep a hold on the ring box as his body was pulled closer. He felt strong arms wrap around his back, holding him tightly. Naruto’s mind caught up with him when he realised that Sasuke was hugging him. He didn’t know what to say, he just sat there in Sasuke’s arms while the raven held Naruto in his warm embrace.
“Sasuke?” He turned his eyes to the side, only to see that Sasuke’s face was obscured by his black hair, as he pushed his face into Naruto’s shoulder, holding the blonde closely.
“I…I love you. Please don’t ever change, don’t ever be anyone other than you. I don’t care if you are clumsy, stupid and nonsensically impulsive. Those things are part of who you are, and I love them just as much as all the other parts.” His usually smooth voice sounded muffled and shaky pressed against Naruto’s shoulder, and Naruto blinked a few times, feeling both confused and anxious.
“Um, okay. I-I can do that. But…Sasuke, you have to answer me, or I seriously think I’ll have a heart attack.” Naruto prompted, and no sooner had the words left his mouth that Sasuke had let him go and was sitting upright again.
“Oh, right! Sorry, I didn’t mean to. I uh, I got a bit carried away.” Sasuke said, raising a hand to rub at the base of his neck, averting his eyes to the side.
Naruto raised a questioning eyebrow and even though he wasn’t sure what was going in, he couldn’t help but smile. “Really? That’s a little funny coming out of your mouth, Sasuke.”
“Shut up, it’s not.” Sasuke replied, his voice returned to its strict monotone. Naruto shook his head, not forgetting but putting aside his question in favour of another pointless quarrel with Sasuke.
“Oh yes it is.” Naruto immediately replied, which caused Sasuke to narrow his eyes warily.
“No, it’s not.”
“It is.” Naruto challenged, and black eyebrows knitted together in a quirk of irritation.
“Not.” Sasuke said defiantly, and Naruto shot right back at him.
“Is.”
“No.”
“Yes.”
“Yes.”
“Yes what? Are you trying to confuse me or something?” Naruto’s perplexed voice caused Sasuke to pinch the bridge of his nose in irritation before he fixed Naruto with a heated glare.
“Yes, you idiot! I’ll marry you!”
Naruto was sure that at that moment his heart skipped a beat. His eyes stopped blinking, his breath caught in his chest, and the hope he thought was gone had ignited back into life. “You…You will?”
Sasuke grit his teeth and heaved out a sigh of the greatest exasperation, something he used when he claimed a job easy that Naruto had deemed too hard. “Yes. I just said that three times now, Dobe. Do I have to spell it out for you?”
Naruto’s mouth fell open. He couldn’t believe it. Was he hearing things right?
Sasuke…said yes? He said yes. Holy shit, he said yes!
It was real. It was happening. After so many months of doubt and indecision Naruto had taken the plunge and it had paid off. He was so happy. He was ecstatic. He was…pissed off. How dare Sasuke speak to him like that! He was on the verge of a heart attack and the bastard had the hide to take the mickey out of him? “It’s confusing the way you said it, bastard! Why couldn’t you just answer like a normal person?”
Sasuke snickered at that, his eyes rising to meet Naruto’s in a playful glance. “Since when were we ever normal?”
Naruto blanked for a moment, and then a bright smile took over his face as he beamed at Sasuke, blue eyes sparkling. “Guess you’re right about that.”
“So are you gonna give me the ring now or do I have to do that for you as well?” Sasuke asked, and Naruto rolled his eyes before cracking a smile and taking one of the rings out of its velvet case.
“No you bastard. I’ve been waiting for forever for this moment and I’m not gonna miss out.” Taking Sasuke’s left hand in his, he removed the glove and gently slipped the golden ring down on his finger.
Looking up, he widened his blue eyes at the faint blush Sasuke had on his cheeks as he stared down at his now ringed finger. Smiling, Naruto leaned over and kissed him on the forehead, locking eyes with the Uchiha.
“Your turn now, unless you want me to–” Naruto was cut off by a pinch to his cheek. Letting out a moan of pain, he was met with the scowling, blushing face of Sasuke Uchiha who stared at him in such a condescending manner that Naruto couldn’t help but grin, because it was just so Sasuke. His Sasuke.
“Don’t be a moron. Hand me the box already.” Sasuke opened his hand and glared impatiently at the Uzumaki.
Barely concealing a smirk, Naruto placed the small box in Sasuke’s open palm. Carefully removing the ring from its confines, Sasuke held it between his fingers and took hold of Naruto’s left hand. Then, he slid the ring effortlessly down Naruto’s finger. Both were a perfect fit.
Another one of his goofy grins formed on Naruto’s face and he looked up at Sasuke with shining eyes. Sasuke was smiling as well. A small and soft smile, a smile that Naruto knew was meant for him.
Reaching a hand forward, Sasuke placed it against Naruto’s whiskered cheek, tilting his head down as he continued to smile. “You’re such an idiot, you know that?”
Curling his hands around the back of Sasuke’s neck and entangling them in his raven hair, Naruto’s grin turned into one of his rarely known of gentle smiles.
“I love you too, Sasuke.”
And then their lips touched and they kissed each other lovingly, caringly, devotedly.
Naruto couldn’t believe this was real, that it was happening. But it was. It was all real. He had done it. He had finally proposed to Sasuke. It might not have gone exactly the way he planned it to, but he wouldn’t have wanted it any other way.
He and Sasuke weren’t perfect, and they certainly had more trouble than most couples at times. But the true love they felt for each other was perfect, and that was enough for Naruto.
Suddenly the loud mechanical voice was back and blaring, and Naruto and Sasuke parted as they awaited the announcement.
“Attention all chairlift riders, you will be pleased to know that the emergency services requested have finally arrived. In just a few moments the problem shall be solved. Thank you for your patience and cooperation during this time.”
Wandering cerulean eyes found their way back to Sasuke’s obsidian ones, and the two looked at each other for a brief moment before breaking out into laughter.
Yes, this was perfect. Smiling together, laughing together, loving together. Forever.
Naruto decided that although the entire thing had been an ordeal and he never wanted to go through such a terrifying and frightening experience in his life again, it was well worth the struggle. All the waiting and worrying, it was all for this moment. A moment that neither of them would ever forget.