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When Sasuke looks up at the night sky, he envisions the lonely moon waiting for his sun to cast the light it’s been longing for. It seemed so lonely by itself. Even if there were millions of stars surrounding it, it was still waiting for its light.
On the contrary, the sun doesn’t need anything to shine. Doesn’t need guidance nor help for it to be the brightest star. Even if it was the loneliest star, it will still shine the brightest--.
Sasuke saw the resemblance of him and the moon. He knew why he was like the moon. It was what plagued his mind after leaving the hidden leaf to search for remnants of the Otsutsuki clan. Now that he had settled with the thought of being the moon, it was clear who his sun was.
He would be an idiot if he was oblivious to who his sun was.
Naruto was the one. He brought the light to his life, opened his eyes to so many opportunities that seemed impossible, made him feel warm when he was next to him, and he was home.
It’s been awhile since he’s been home. His feet were beginning to sore up, but he was determined to continue this walk. He would be lying if he said he didn’t miss that dobe, but he doesn’t know how he’s been. Sure, they sent each other letters, but since Naruto is working his way to becoming Hokage, he’s been busier than usual.
Sasuke wondered if Naruto thought of him the same way he does. Maybe, in some other universe, Naruto would set aside his childish behavior and understand the importance of their relationship. It’s no secret that Sasuke is in love with Naruto, but chooses not to show it.
Naruto knew. Somehow, without Sasuke showing it, Naruto could read Sasuke like a book. It was like they were connected without the string. If there was a string, they would be together now.
Sasuke’s journey is nearing its end and soon will head back home. He could feel the butterflies in his stomach. He hasn’t gone home in so long…
Doubt.
It lingered in Sasuke’s mind whether or not the villagers had omitted the images of him nearly destroying the village. His fingers were jittering. He could barely get his grip around his sword.
Nonetheless, Sasuke was excited to see Naruto. He refused to believe that the blonde was his source of happiness, but deep down, he liked the idea of having someone to think of and enjoy.
The journey was long. Sasuke was even breaking out in a sweat. His clothes were sticking onto his skin and the strands of hair began to glue themselves onto his face. Regardless of all these annoying things happening, his feet picked up the pace. The road he was taking was getting familiar; reminding him of being a genin with Naruto and Sakura. He hoped to grab a drink with them and catch up without him being the talkative one.
He was sure Sakura would be the one asking him about his journey, which he would answer, but he’d rather listen to his comrades. Believe it or not, Sasuke loved his team with every ounce of him. He believed he wasn’t worthy of their efforts and love, but them being the two most stubborn people he knew, he knew they would never abandon him.
Sasuke felt the smile growing on his face. His feet moved faster, approaching the gates of Konoha. The nostalgia hit him like a bus. Wind blew through his hair as he finally made it back home. He wants to see his sun waiting for him. He wanted to see the person who had a place in his heart. He wants to see Naruto.
The raven calmed himself before walking through the gates and into the bustling streets. Konoha has urbanilized since the last time he was here. There were large television screens in the center of town for the news, street vendors passing out food to visitors, and solar-powered lights lined up along the shops and restaurants.
Sasuke kept himself hidden, putting his hood on and walking past everyone. For some reason, he felt nervous. His feet were moving slower than they were a minute ago. Was it that he was finally in Konoha or are the nerves of seeing Naruto settling in?
Looking down at his feet, each step was taking a second. Slowly moving down the street towards Naruto’s apartment. How come his nerves are messing with him now and not earlier?
Slowly moving and not paying any attention to where he was going... It wasn’t like him to not look where he was going, but the nerves that were growing in him kept intensifying each step he took.
Somehow, he made it outside the Hokage’s Office. He doesn’t even know how he took this route. His legs were moving freely but he still couldn’t find the strength to go to Naruto’s. Even as the strongest shinobi, he still avoided seeing Naruto.
Now that he’s here, there’s no reason why he shouldn’t see Kakashi to report his journey. He already had it written down, so there was no point of holding it off.
Sasuke walked into the mansion and went upstairs to the office. Most were surprised by Sasuke’s arrival, but he wasn’t fazed by it. He opened the door to Kakashi’s office and closed it behind him.
To Kakashi’s surprise, he wasn’t expecting Sasuke so soon. It even made him widen his eyes a little. “You’re back.” He said, resting his elbows on the table, propped up for him to rest his head in his hands.
“Yeah. Just staying for a while before heading off again.” Sasuke reached into his cloak and pulled out a piece of paper. He kept his report short and simple, only writing down the important details.
“Here’s my report.”
Kakashi took the paper and skimmed through it before placing it on top of the piles of other reports. Sasuke could see the stress of being Hokage was affecting Kakashi. The dark circles could be seen a mile away.
It seemed like a question was bugging Kakashi, and Sasuke had a sense of what it was. The Hokage didn’t want to push Sasuke, so he chose not to question him about his personal mission.
“Have you seen Naruto or Sakura?” Kakashi asked, leaning back into his rolling chair.
“No, I have not.” Sasuke was too much of a coward to see his friends. Even if he had dreams about his sun, he couldn’t put his hand out and grab him.
Kakashi hummed, closing his eyes and sighed. “Well, they said they’re going out for barbecue tonight.”
Sasuke raised an eyebrow, backing up towards the door so he could leave.
“Will you join them?” Kakashi added. Sasuke paused for a moment before twisting the doorknob behind him.
“Maybe,” Sasuke opened the door and closed it abruptly. Kakashi furrowed his eyebrows and let out a breath of air.
Sasuke walked back out to the town to head home, but he wanted to see Naruto. That was his sole purpose, yet he couldn’t find the courage. Every time he thought about walking to Naruto’s place, his heart would start beating fast and his palms would get sweaty.
The best thing to do right now was to go home.
…
It’s been awhile since he felt the air of his home. He missed it. He missed waking up in a comfortable bed in an intimate environment.
Once he opened the door, he felt the cold air blow through his hair. The smell of his home was fresh, reminding him that he forgot how his own home smelt like.
“I’m… home.” He said, looking down to kick his shoes off and walked up to the couch. He placed his belongings on the floor.
It almost felt odd being home. Being in a place he hasn’t been in for so long. It was… suffocating. Yes, he loved being home, but he couldn’t wrap his head around finally being home… and being alone.
He felt naked and exposed in his own home. He looked down at his feet and watched the nothingness happen. Sasuke knew he was safe in his house, but he knew he was lonely. He was alone in this house he called home. He knew it’ll always be like this if his nerves wouldn’t stop getting in his way.
Sasuke laid down, looking up at the ceiling as his hand reached out, like he was trying to grab something, but it was nothing. He envisioned himself grabbing onto the sun, his sun. Naruto--.
He wanted to grab onto him, feel him close to him, providing that warmth. Now he’s sounding repetitive, but Sasuke doesn’t know what else to do.
“I love you.” Sasuke said quietly, closing his eyes and dropping his arm to his side.
But he woke up, feeling strong energy coming closer to his location. Sasuke shot up from the couch and grabbed his sword. The feeling was strong, almost overwhelming. For some reason, Sasuke felt his heart racing with anticipation. Then, Sasuke dropped his sword.
The door from the patio shot open with a strong gust of wind blowing the leaves of his plants and drapes moving rapidly.
Sasuke’s eyes widened as he saw the person burst through his house, but he wasn’t mad. He was surprisingly calm, watching as Naruto lifted his head up and pushed himself through the door.
“You didn’t tell me you were back.” Naruto said, approaching Sasuke with his hand extended towards him. “I’m hurt, Sasuke.” He teased, grabbing onto his wrist and pulled Sasuke into his arms.
Sasuke let a shaking breath escape his lips as he felt the warmth Naruto gave him. It made his cold interior melt just from his one touch. God, Sasuke had missed this.
Though their feelings were mutual, Sasuke always felt like he still had a secret that weighed down him. Naruto always took pride in their relationship, telling everyone how Sasuke truly made him feel.
“I had to see Kakashi.” Sasuke said, arm wrapping around Naruto’s torso, keeping him close like he was going to leave him.
“For what?” Naruto asked as he put his check against Sasuke’s skin to feel the warmth. His hand rubbed his back, feeling Sasuke’s relief from his aching muscles that he chose to hide.
“To turn my report in.”
Naruto hummed, backing up a little to look down at Sasuke who seemed so small in his arms. He even got a little emotional. It’s been months since he’s last seen Sasuke. The occasional letters would come in to tell Naruto what he’s seen or how he felt, but couldn’t find time to visit once in a while. Same goes for Naruto as he was also busy with everything going on in the village.
“Did Kakashi tell you about the plan tonight?” Naruto asked, indicating the barbeque they’ll all have tonight. There was still time until the sun set and they had all this time to wait.
Sasuke didn’t want to go if he could spend his time with Naruto alone, but it’ll be nice to see his other comrades. “Yes, he did.”
“Are you going?”
Sasuke paused, pulling himself out of Naruto's grip. “Are you?” He countered. Naruto smiled, placing his hand on Sasuke’s shoulder.
“Of course! We should go together.” Naruto said, making Sasuke a bit nervous about being seen with Naruto, but Naruto was never ashamed, neither was Sasuke, yet he was still not used to everything yet.
Sasuke looked up as he saw how excited Naruto was to see everyone together again, especially since he and Sasuke were finally together again. He couldn’t resist that look on his face and make it fall with a negative answer, so Sasuke smiled.
“Okay.” He agreed. Naruto’s smile stretched further, grabbing Sasuke and pulling him towards him.
It never bothered the raven how clingy Naruto was, he actually appreciated it when he did. It made him feel loved, secured, and warm. A fuzzy feeling that he hadn’t had before suddenly appeared once Naruto touched him.
Looking up at his blonde lover, he wrapped his arm behind Naruto’s neck and brought his lips to Naruto’s. Sasuke rarely shows affection and this took Naruto aback, but he didn’t hate it. He loved-- it.
He was utterly and unconditionally in love with him.
The sun in Sasuke’s life appeared once again in his life. The light that cast over his dark life was next to him again. The warmth that melted that cold core had made his heart swell once again.
“I love you.” Sasuke said like he did on the couch. He knew what he was trying to grasp onto when he was laying down. He was reaching for Naruto.
Naruto dug his face into Sasuke’s neck and rested it there. “I love you too, Sasuke.”