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If there is one thing he valued more than ninjutsu it was privacy.
Mainly because whenever his birthday comes around especially during his time in classes he tends to get crowded wherever he goes; with gifts that he either politely declined because it felt too personal from the girls he barely knew or just passed the gift along to someone who would better enjoy such as oversweet chocolate or those sickeningly teeth rotting candies that make his jaw hurt.
The twelve year old hated sweets and anyone who knew him well wouldn't be bombarding him with home made ones or store bought. Then of course another thing that trouble him was the fact he found himself constantly crowded by people when he goes out on this day-and gods did he hate being crowded-either by girls, well meaning adults who think they're being kind, shinobi who worked with his dead clan who felt obligated in some way out of pity. It made his skin crawl just thinking about it.
Why couldn't people just leave him alone? With how much they all want to be in his face and try to shove all these gifts at him it made the day feel less about him and more like people were trying to present a charity case or forcing their affections on him.
This year he's at least thankful it fell on a day where there were no classes. When he realized this he of course ran out to stock up on food and played the radio while buying a few books to occupy the day. Anything to just hole up in his apartment housing and avoid the village.
Though a downside to not wanting company is that his mind liked to wander to certain things he tries to avoid thinking about...like how his mom used to cook him toast with sliced, roasted tomatoes on it and globs of mozzarella cheese on it to wake up to and a bowl of fresh match green tea on his birthday because it was his favorite. Then how his father would let him run into the library to pick out a story book that he would read to him before the family got there to celebrate, how the aunties would sit with him and let him snuggle as they talked while preparing food for his birthday dinner and his uncles patting his head while cooking the main course outside. How his brother-
Sasuke breathes slowly before he reaches for the volume on the radio. That had been his seventh birthday...a happy day with the people he loved...
He'd never have them celebrating again with him. He didn't want to think about that.
However before he can turn the volume up he's startled from his attempt to escape reality by a knock on the door. The raven haired boy groaned and thunked his head down on the open book. Honestly he reaches back for the knob while fully intent on ignoring it.
"Oi! Teme! Open the door!"
The Uchiha boy froze when he hears the familiar voice of the annoying, cute blonde rival/friend who for some reason seems to have attached to him in some way. He doesn't even flinch at the weird insult-nickname as he slowly turns and walks to the foot. Knowing Naruto he would keep knocking or try to break in and Sasuke was in no mood to fix the windows or heave a splitting headache.
"Sasuke! Teme! Sasuke-teme!"
"What, Usurakontachi?!" he pulls the door back sharply with a huff, narrowing his eyes at the boy who was bright and as much an eyesore as the sunlight. Sasuke hisses and squints dressed in a black t-shirt and white shorts as the sun shines bright on this summer day.
Naruto smiles now dressed in a bright orange t-shirt and black pants looking to be holding something behind him, "I heard it was your birthday~"
A vein pops in Sasuke's forehead, "And what idiot told you that, dobe?'
"Hm? Oh I overheard the girls whining about not being able to see you on it. So I rushed to get you something," Naruto tilts his head and the sunlight caught on his blonde hair, blue eyes blinking curiously, "It's not much but-"
"Look," Sasuke was thankful for his long bangs to hide a small blush because Naruto looked...really nice under the sun's glow. Like the orb in the sky that seemed to be illuminating the golden hair that he finds himself staring at at times and the cute whisker birthmarks that make him think sometimes he's looking at a cat rather than a fellow student he secretly wishes he could get closer to- "you really didn't need to both dobe. My birthday isn't that important."
Naruto blinks then he tilts his head in confusion, "..But it's the day you were born Sasuke. Why do you think it's not important?"
Damn those blue eyes, damn them to hell! Sasuke averts his gaze as he feels his cheeks grow warm.
Well..Naruto did come all the way here to give him something and it would be rude if he didn't at least see what it was. Plus he was tired of seeing Naruto look so downtrodden lately despite trying not to show it. He can't get attached to him the way he wishes he could but still. He can at least try to be kind to him for at least trying to give him something.
"..What did you get me, dobe?" he asked quietly and holds his hands out.
The way Naruto lights up and start to bounce up and down made him think of the foxes he sometimes sees playing out and around as the blonde boy who for some reason was looked down on by so many pulls out a crudely wrapped gift from behind him.
Sasuke blinks as he takes it and raises a brow.
"uh, it got a little smooshed because I had to squeeze past some adults crowding the streets but it should still be good!" Naruto pokes his fingers together, "Go on! Open open open!"
Sasuke squints a moment before slowly he unwraps whatever Naruto decided to give him.
Please don't be cake, please don't be cake, please don't be fucking cake i swear to god-
To his surprise what he finds when he opens it is a small assortment of mochi. To be specific his favorite flavors-black sesame seed and match-were in there and his makes his eyes widen and sparkle. While considered to be a sweet, mochi was the least sweet confection that Sasuke actually genuinely enjoyed. Slowly he picks up one of them with wide eyes before he looks at Naruto.
"I uh..I notice you don't tend to eat sweets so I kinda assumed you don't like them, though I'm kinda surprised. Sweets the the best! But it is your birthday so I chose somethin' that wasn't too overwhelmingly sweet..." He rubs the back of his head and rocks on his heels again.
Sasuke stares at him in silence just...stunned for a moment. Then he sighed and slumped in what appears to be defeat.
"...Come on in, dobe. I was gonna start cooking something soon. You wanna eat with me?'
Naruto jumps up-so cute-before he clears his throat trying to be more aloof, "I mean..I guess I could. What are we having?"
"Udon. Now come in or don't, I don't care. Just make sure not to mess up anything..." Sasuke turns his back to him only to hide his genuine smile. He felt warm and tingly inside as he holds the container of mochi to him hiding how absolutely happy he was to recieve such a thoughtful gift.
If he had looked back then he would have seen a lovesick look on the blonde's face as he follows him inside.
Maybe this would be a happy birthday after all.