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A slight breath caressed his nose, tickling him. He hardly opened one eye, his room already bathing in warm light. He turned on his side, facing the window. He didn't want to wake up to face a new day. And sleep was calling him, how could he say no to sweet dreams ? His thoughts became blurry. Until the door got brutally opened giving him a heart attack. "Naruto wake up. I don't want you to stay in all summer, it's depressing !" His dad, Iruka, said. The window squeaks slightly, making the blond growl. "..don't want to.." He manages to speak although the threat of falling asleep. "But you have to, it's your last summer being adolescent you can't just throw that away !" His dad said, and he wasn't wrong..almost. "Being eighteen doesn't mean I'm a grown adult..but like, a child adult- Ow!" Naruto slightly wince touching the back of his head, where Iruka hit him. "I don't care, for the government you ARE an adult, and you can't do anything about it. You will get treated like an adult, like getting a job, a car, then it will be a wife, then kids, then-" He quickly sat down, looking straight at his dad. "Okay okay, I woke up, see?" He said as he tried to shut his dad down. And it worked. Iruka looked at him for a few seconds like he needed these seconds to be sure Naruto was really awake. "Come downstairs eat breakfast." He shut the door behind him.
He was by himself again. He lay down with his hands behind his head, staring at his ceiling. "My last summer..without any responsibilities..damn." He said out loud. Naruto knew he should be doing something during summer. Because it is the first and the last time he will be seventeen during these holidays. He knew it. But he had no one to spend it with. No friends. No classmates. No one. Why would he go outside if he was going to be alone anyway ? But Iruka looked so sad when he shared his worries. Maybe he should lie and actually spend the summer outside and alone. At least his dad will think he's hanging with some friends of his. For the second time Naruto sat on his bed, before putting on his bunny sleepers and heading downstairs.
His shirt was sticky, last night was hot and he was suffocating without a fan. "Do you want some ?" His dad asked, handing him a piece of bread with butter and apricot jam. He nodded lazily, holding his head with his hand. "How late did you go to sleep last night ?" He lifted his gaze to meet his dad's. It kinda made his heart ache anytime he makes Iruka worry about him. "I kept waking up because of the heat." That part was true."..A friend invited me to go outside today." But that part wasn't. However it was worth it the moment he saw the relief in his dad's eyes. "That's great, where are you going ?" It wasn't common for Naruto to go outside.
He only had two friends in during his childhood. His first was a kid named Shikamaru that he met during primary school. He would always help Naruto with maths and geometry, in exchange for candy. And he was really good at playing tag, Shikamaru was indeed the fastest runner in the whole class. But one day, he just never came back. The first day it felt weird seeing his table empty. No one sat on his chair after he left. It was as if he had became some kind of ghost. In reality they had just moved to a big city. He was sure that Shikamaru was sad not to live in the countryside anymore, here he could see the stars at night, and hear the bugs sing in the distance, at day like at night. His second friend was Sakura. She was a sweet girl, he first saw her the following year after Shikamaru left. For him Sakura was the most prettiest, funniest, elegant woman in the whole school. Even maybe the whole world ! He would wait for her at the end of class to walk her back home or to ask to hang out at the parc or at the movies. But she would of always refuse the proposition with a new excuse every day, even crazier than the last one. And Naruto believed her. But then, the next year, Sakura wasn't in his class. Neither the next year, or the next.. He tried to see her in the hallways but she was always busy. As time passed, Naruto stopped saying 'Hi' every time he walked past her.
He tried hard to make the whole class laugh, by being loud, not listening to teachers or not giving a damn about classes to be seen as "cool" or whatever. But it was never enough. He never experienced a real friendship. He never had someone to call "bestfriend". He wish he knew how he would of felt the morning after a full-nighter at his friend's playing stupid video games, watching animes and talking about everything. He wish he knew how it felt to have a second home, a home where he could share all his pain and help his friend as well. But he never had that, and he probably never will.
"Uh..movies" He answered after a few seconds, taking a bite of his slice of bread. Iruka gently smiled at him with pure kindness. It left Naruto a bad taste in his mouth lying to his dad, but it was for the better. "I'll leave you some money then, I'll be back late tonight, have fun kid" He said, patting Naruto's head before heading out.
He didn't went to the movies, instead he bought himself a poor sandwich with a can of fanta. As he kept walking, searching without really any interest a place where he could just chill and eat without dying under the sun, he slowly made his way to the forest. It was a five minutes walk from his bedroom. Naruto would often sneak out at night just to walk under all those trees and the deep blue sky that could devour him any second he would watch it. He hummed a song, trying to keep count every time he hit a rock and eventually stop walking every two minutes any time he would miss it. He won't abandon the rock, it would be pure cruelty.
"My last summer.. being a child" He whispered to himself. All summers were just like the precedent for him, so why being seventeen during summer makes it special. It's just an other summer in his life. It didn't mean anything. Next year will be the exact same summer, except he will be eighteen and an adult..apparently. He stop on his track, bend over to grab the rock he was hitting with his foot all the way here, and threw it with all his strength. "Fuck!" He exclaimed. Being alive is frustrating. As he breathed in, he heard water from afar. As he followed the sound he saw a familiar river. "Damn I walked a lot" He said. He walked out of the bush, threw his sandwich on the grass and sat down by the river. Thank god he wore a tank top or the heat would of killed him. He ran a hand by his forehead to dry his sweat before lying down with a sight. The sound of the water running, the birds singing, the leaves shaking all around him. It was peaceful, not like at school with all the annoying noises around him keeping him away from sanity. Here was different, he should go there more often, he thought. Naruto closed his eyes, absorbing the smell of the flowers around him. Then he lay down on the grass, resting gis eyes and his legs from walking so far.Until he heard something big getting out of the water. Too big to be a fish, he thinks, before quickly sitting on the grass. "What the hell" Who is it. I never saw him before. "What are you doing here?" Naruto was confused. In front of him, a man half naked with a blue swimsuit, taking deep breaths like air had a reduction or like he was just getting out of the water..probably that."No! What are you doing here? Since when are you in the water? Did you waited until I fall asleep to show yourself!?" His hair was black, like black-hole black, it was a bit long and messy. His brows were furrowed and his eyes were looking straight at Naruto. Deep black eyes, matching with his hair, giving more contrast with his porcelain skin. He noticed a mole under his left eye. "What do you mean? I was the first here." He said coldly, his voice was deeper than his. "I saw no one when I came !" Naruto crossed his arms. "My clothes are literally about a meter from you." He said, crossing his arms too, copying him. Naruto looked around him until he saw clothes and a pair of shoes. "See? How did you not notice in the first time ?" Naruto didn't respond. Instead he grabbed his stuff and started to leave. "Wait.." He heard him get out of the water. "I was about to leave anyway.. you can stay." The blond turned to look at him. He watched him put on his white shirt with a white and red looking 'pokeball' logo on his back. "Oh..okay, thanks." He manages to say awkwardly. He just hummed and walked past Naruto. "Wait ! What's your name?" He suddenly ask. "Why do you want to know?" He ask bitterly. "I-I don't know, in case we saw each other again?" He looked at him behind his shoulder, giving him a cold look. "We won't see each other again. Goodbye." He left without giving Naruto the opportunity to say anything back. How frustrating was it? He sight, annoyed, before he lay down on the grass again. Why did he have to be so.. mean? Pretty? Both? Naruto was getting sleepy by each minute that passed, the sensation of his naked skin against the grass made him feel something he never felt. Comfort maybe, a real comfort. Followed by the warmth of the sun all over his body, just as if he had a huge blanket on him. But it felt good, natural. Like he belonged here. As clouds keep passing over him, he fell asleep.
When he woke up, the sky was already pink like cotton candy. It took a few minutes for his brain to connect the dots. "Shoot it's late" He said as he began to take the plastic of his sandwich and his empty can. He thought about the man he meet a few hours ago. "I never saw him before.." He say out loud. Where Naruto lived was a small village in the middle of no where. He loved it, but rumors spreads quickly in a small town like his, but mostly he knew everyone who lived here, and he never saw that guy ever around. Did he just move in ? Was he in vacation ? So many questions kept running in his mind, but one stuck around. When can I see him again ?
The sky was dark when he got home. Iruka was already here. "Hey Naruto, how was today?" He asked in excitement with just his head sticking out of the kitchen. Naruto gave him a no sincere smile "It was cool, the movie was pretty fun, how about you?" He responded as he kicked his shoes off. "Eh you know..work. What are you doing tomorrow ?" "I'm going out again, he forgot his ring." He said, walking up the stairs. "Oh okay, wanna eat?" Naruto told him no and shut the door behind him. The heat took all of his energy, and the walk didn't help. He let out a long sigh as he lied down, still in his clothes slept in on the grass. His mind wouldn't shut up. He wanted to know who he was, why is he here, what is his name. He wanted to know more, he needed to know more about him. He will know more about him.
It's been a whole week since he saw that stranger. Everyday he had being lying to his dad, saying he was going out with his imaginary friend. Instead, he was going to the river hiding in the forest. But he never came during that week. Naruto would lay down at the exact same place everyday and wait for him. This time when he got up, he saw the impression of his body lingered in the grass. Maybe he really won't ever see him again. Maybe he was avoiding the river so he won't meet Naruto once again. Depressing thoughts came in his mind and the sky got darker too. He only saw him once and now he was getting greedy. He wanted to learn more about him but he couldn't. Why did he wanted to? Maybe he was just desperate to have a friend.
The heat won't let him sleep. His chest was sweaty, even his short was to much to bear. His window was open. He could see the tree we would always climb with Shikamaru back in the days, playing pilots or pirates, making the tree their place. Their memories. Naruto never went to the swing since Shikamaru left. It would only make him nostalgic. He looked at the stars over him, shining like trillions of tiny suns deep in space. He wish he was a star above the world. Existing but not having to speak, not having to live, not having to be an adult. He shut his eyes, trying desperately to fall asleep. But no matter how hard he tried, he just won't. To not die from boredom, and since he couldn't sleep, Naruto lazily got up from his bed before putting on a random orange shirt on his chair after smelling it.
He climbed through his window easily, like he had before, before escaping his garden from the back of his house where he couldn't be seen my his insomniac father. His escape was successful. A few streetlights were still on while some were sleeping like everyone in his small town. He still could see some stars, but less than if he was watching them from his bed or the forest late at night.
His mind was off during his walk. He didn't really think of anything, he didn't wanted to and thankfully his brain won't let him even if he wanted to. Only a song played in his head. He sung lowly a few lyrics. "Close your eyes, and I'll kiss you.. Tomorrow I'll miss you.." It was his dad who made him discover the Beatles. He would hear them everytime Iruka drove with him. He had all their cd's, and he gave it all to Naruto at his fourteenth birthday. He hug him tied that day. "All my loving, I will send to you..All my loving, darling, I'll be true.." He cursed himself at the fact he didn't took his phone with him.
He was at the river once again. He loved this place, how could he not notice how magical this place is before ? He sat down and looked at the sky. He could see way more stars than an hour before, it was beautiful. The full moon reflected on the water that was slightly darken than at day, but still as clear. Cicadas sang around him, and a faint breeze made him support the heat. After a while looking at the stars, trying to trace every constellation that was hiding in the dark sky, Naruto eventually got up and toss his orange shirt on the floor before walking carefully towards the river. The place like was a painting, a fragile canvas that he could ruin by every move. He never would destroy this peaceful painting, never. It was too precious for him, like a glimpse of freedom from all his misery. The water was lightly chill, making his body shiver slightly. He bends down, takes some water in his hands before throwing it in his face to cool off, wetting a few strands of his hair in the process. He did that a few time before being interrupted by a voice.
"You're still here ?" He spat venom. Naruto dried his eyes in order to see who was talking to him. Behind him, the same eyes he saw a week before looked right through him. "What do you mean ?" He finally ask after a few seconds of silence. "Every time I came here in the afternoon you were already here, so I decided to came during night and you're still here.." He said clearly annoyed by the situation. Naruto just stood still in the water. "Well I can't sleep since it's too hot outside so I decided to come here for a bit." He explains himself, but the dark haired didn't cared. "Is it so bad that I'm here ?" Eventually the stranger decided to walk closer and sit on the grass, still watching Naruto in the water. "Yes clearly, if I come here is so I can be alone and get some steam out." Naruto was slowly getting filled with anger. "So what ? This place isn't reserved for you. If you don't like me being here just fuck off and go 'get some steam out' somewhere else dickhead !" He spat. Still his interlocutor's face remained clenched. "No, I like it here." A fucking child, he thought, not daring to say it out loud. "And who even are you ? I never saw you around before." He finally ask. "..I spend the summer at my brother's house. I'm from Fukuoka but I hate living there." Naruto got out of the water, putting back his orange shirt who had a ant on it that he took off. "Why ?" He simply ask. "I hate big cities it's simple as that." He sat down next to him. "I totally understand, I love it here, the forest is only a five minute walk from where I live. And big cities are just to intoxicating, I could never live over there to be honest.. what's your name by the way.?" "Sasuke Uchiwa" He finally said. Oh he is Itachi's brother. "I'm Naruto Uzumaki, nice to meet you !" He offered his hand but got embarrassed when Sasuke just looked at him amused and did not return the gesture. Prick..
It was around five a.m when he was back in bedroom. With a huge dumb smile on his face. He learned a few things about Sasuke, that he was seventeen just like him, also he hated a lot of things and he didn't particularly liked anything. But it was fun talking to him, he thought. After some time, Naruto finally found sleep.
He woke up late. Iruka didn't wake him up for once. After a few minutes looking straight to the window with his head empty, Naruto got up from his bed, and looked at the time. A bit past eleven in the morning, nothing crazy, he thought. Today the heat was just too much to even put a foot outside. So he just spent the day in until the night came again. After telling good night to his dad, Naruto went back to in bedroom with one thing in mind, going back to the river. He wished in the corner of his mind to met Sasuke again. But he seemed pretty introverted and didn't seem to like human interaction. Maybe he was being to much last night and he didn't liked him because he was too loud. But Naruto was used to be loud in front of others since he was a kid. So people would notice him. But at home he was never loud. He was actually calm. He wish his behavior did not scared him away. But the only way to know is actually going to the river and see if he's there.
So that's what he did. He arrived at the river sooner. His feet were hurting a bit but he didn't mind. His stomach twisted more and more as he was approaching the river. But why ? Was he so bad at making friends that he was actually getting anxious ? Surely. He could finally see the river, he scanned the painting to see if Sasuke was here. That's when he spotted him sat by the river. The black haired turned his head when he heard something from behind him. "Hey Sasuke !" He chanted. He actually came back. "You're here again." Naruto walked to him before sitting down. "Of course I am, I told you I love this place as much as you do too." He looked in front of him, ignoring the blond's eyes. "Yeah I know." Then silence, Naruto was still looking at his profile. His jaw was clenched, his cheek bones were slightly out making him look more masculine with his silk looking hair. He had a roman nose and thin lips and black furrowed brows. He couldn't see the mole he had on his left cheek sadly. Sasuke looked tense. "Can you stop staring at me ?" He said, still looking everywhere but Naruto. "I do what I want !" He protested as he crossed his arms and looked away. "Everything but staring at me creep." He spat. Why did he wanted to see that jerk in the first place ? He was just being unfriendly with Naruto. Well, maybe he was a creep for staring at him but still ! He just want to learn more about him, and he had to know his face more. However Naruto did not say anything back. Instead he rested his head in his hands as he lay down in the grass.
None of them talked, until Naruto interrupted the silence. "Look, he said pointing the sky with his finger, we can see the constellation Scorpius. It's mostly visible during summer." Sasuke looked at him before laying down next to him. "Where I can't see it" Naruto pointed again at the sky, getting more closer to Sasuke so he could actually follow the direction of his finger. "Here look. The head kinda look like an arrow, and at the end you can see the tail of the scorpion. Can you see it ?" He turned his head towards Sasuke who was a bit close. Enough to feel the slight warmth of his right arm. "Yes I see it. You're a big fan of stars?" He asked still looking at the constellation. "I guess yeah. But not only, I love everything. The sky, the clouds, the stars.. I like trying to find constellation in the sky, it's kinda fun." Now it was Sasuke's turn to look at Naruto while the other's eyes were shining just like the stars above them, looking at the sky. "Once a friend gave me a book of all the constellations. Thanks to him I can approximately tell every constellations I see!" He said with proud. Sasuke stayed silent, before watching the same thing as Naruto. "Oh my god look !" The blond said excited, pointing to the sky. "This one is called the Piscis austrinus, it looks like a fish. It's one of my favorite." He smiled. "Because he looks like a fish?" Sasuke ask . "Yeah I guess." He laughed with sincerity. It was a dumb reason for it to be his favorite, he thought.
It had become a routine for them. Meeting at night at the river, searching for constellations in the sky. Sometimes the found one or two, sometimes none. But it was fun. He still felt anxious in his stomach every time he would say 'hi' to Sasuke. He didn't knew why he was a bit stressed. But it'll go over time..probably.
Tonight, Naruto decided to take his book with him to show Sasuke. He walked towards the river once again. This time, Sasuke arrived first. When he arrived, he saw him in the river, with only shorts on, it made his stomach twist. "Hi !" He said loud, while walking through the bushes. "Hey." He said, watching Naruto over his shoulder before facing him. "I brought my book. Remember ? The one with the constellations." Naruto sat down, watching Sasuke from below. "Yeah I remember it." He just said. Then he got out of the river and put back his black tank top on. "Look, he said as he opened his book turning pages, there's eighty eight constellations." Sasuke sat down and looked at the images of the stars over Naruto's shoulder. He could scent faintly the scent of his shampoo. "I really like this one, he said showing the Leo, it kinda looks like a mouse to me." He chuckled. "Yeah I see it." Sasuke smiled with him.
For a few hours Naruto showed him all the constellations and tips to remember them. And Sasuke listened carefully. After that, they searched some in the sky, sadly they couldn't see any.
"I'm going home." Sasuke said before getting up and taking his shoes in his hand. "Wait, I was wondering." Naruto got up as well. "Can we hangout tomorrow..like at day?" Sasuke looked at him. "Why ?" Naruto didn't knew what to say, he just wanted to hang out with him tomorrow. "For no reason. Just asking." He said frankly. Sasuke stayed silent for a bit before giving him an answer. "Okay, what do you wanna do?" Naruto smiled fast. "You can come over, I have the playstation 4." He seemed hesitant at first but then he answered. "Cool, see you tomorrow then." Then Naruto pulled out his phone. "What's your number ? So I can send you my adresse." "Oh yeah sure." He said and gave him his number before they separated.
Once in his room. Naruto was jumping up and town. He needed to let out all of his energy running in his body. He quickly threw his shirt somewhere on the floor before jumping in bed and pulling out his phone.
Me : To Sasuke
Hiiiiii again
03:56 a.m
Its naruto
03:56 a.m
Heres my adress ****
03:57 a.m
Goodniggth!!!
03:57 a.m
Oops typo goodnight
03:59 a.m
After that, he put his phone on his nightstand, and quickly fell asleep.
The next day, the first thing Naruto had did was to check if Sasuke texted him back. And he did.
Goodniggth!!!
03:57 a.m read
Oops typo goodnight
03:59 a.m read
Sasuke
Ok see u tmrw
04:34 a.m
Naruto smiled at his phone before getting up. It was ten thirty, and he had plenty of time until Sasuke would come. He ate breakfast and made himself a coffee with one cub of sugar in it. After that he quickly showered, threw on a orange shirt with a black spiral at his belly and a black jean short. He didn't really did any effort with his hair, he just let them air-dry. Then he installed the console and did updates on some games in case Sasuke wants to play them. Thank god Iruka played too so they had two controllers. One had a Elden ring custom, pitch black with 'elden ring' written on blood red on the pad, with some gold by each sides and the buttons in gold too. He will definitely hand this controller to Sasuke.
By the time he finished eating his ramen he received a new message from Sasuke, asking him when he can come. 'Whenever' answered Naruto, who was left on seen.
Thirty minutes later, someone knocked on the door, and Naruto quickly answered. Sasuke was in front of him, wearing a dark blue shirt and white shorts. His forehead was a bit sweaty from the heat. Did he walk all the way here ? Itachi lives a bit far. He asked himself, but did not say it out loud. "Hey man! Come in." He moves from the entrance and Sasuke walks him. It makes him a bit nervous that Sasuke is in his house. He was the second person to come in his house, he guess, it was normal for him to feel a bit anxious after all. Naruto shut the door behind him before leading to his bedroom. He once again closed the door behind them and they both sat on Naruto's bed that was unmade. He could see Sasuke study his messy room. Not dirty, it was just not organized. But it was his mess, he could find anything in his room. He knew where they were as long Iruka didn't touched anything. So he was fine with that.
A few music band posters were plastered on his wall as long as vinyles and cd's. "You actually listen to them ?" Sasuke asked out of nowhere. Naruto looked at the same direction at him, not understanding what he was saying. Then he understood. "Yeah I do, do you know them?" He said talking about his Beatles, Oasis, Pink Floyd and Jimi Hendrix posters. "Not this one." He said showing the Beatles poster. "Really?" He half screamed, how can he not know them. He was a bit surprised by his reaction to the fact he didn't knew the band. But not in a bad way. "I can't believe it.." He said with an exaggerated tone and gesture. "Tonight I'll send you a couple of songs, and you HAVE to listen to it!" He exclaimed, while pointing his finger at Sasuke. "Don't point at me." He said while looking at the small TV in front of them. "I guess I'll try listening to them." He said out of nowhere, making Naruto smiled way more than he already was. "Cool! You'll tell me if you liked it or no then." He affirmed, not really asking but forcing him to tell him if he liked the Beatles or not. He just agreed with a nod, and they started playing video games.
It was around eight in the evening, they were still playing gang beasts when Naruto's door swing opened. His dad was home. "Oh, hey Iruka!" He quickly said with a smile. Iruka was a bit confused that there were someone else in the house. "He's Sasuke, I invited him over was it okay ?" Sasuke slightly bend out of politesse and Iruka speaks. "Nice to meet you Sasuke, and yes it's completely fine! Are you sleeping over?" He asks. "Oh no, just the afternoon, I didn't saw time pass I'm sorry." He calmly said. "No it's okay I don't mind. I let you alone then. I'm making dinner in case you guys are hungry." He gently smiled at his son and his friend. "I was about to leave actually." He said, getting up. "Oh okay, let me walk you to the door." Naruto proposed.
"So it's the friend you went to the movies with?" Iruka asked once Sasuke had left, in the living room. "Yeah." Naruto replied. He didn't actually went to the movies with Sasuke, but still now he won't be lying anytime he will say he is going to hang out with a friend. He had Sasuke now. "I'm glad you guys met, did he just moved here?" He said as he walked in the open kitchen. "No he's just here during summer. He's Itachi's brother." "Oh yeah Itachi ! He's a nice man, I'm glad to hear it. I guess your summer will be fun." He said happy for his son. Naruto faintly blushed. "Yeah I hope so."
That night, Naruto listened to all his favorites Beatles songs, choosing carefully any songs Sasuke may like. He guessed he wasn't the type to listen calm song, but he still slipped some in. After some time, Naruto had listed a few songs before sending them to Sasuke. He felt his stomach twist again.
Me : To Sasuke
All my loving
Here There and Everywhere
Helter Skelter
Yesterday
Please Mister postman
23:12 p.m
Hope u like it!!
23:12 p.m
Without looking for an answer, Naruto went to sleep.
This time Naruto woke up late to catch up his sleep, it was two in the afternoon. Rays of the sun was filling his bedroom entirely. As he checked the time on his phone, he saw a notification. It was Sasuke.
Sasuke
I'll tell u what i think tmrw night at the lake k?
00:12 a.m
Me : To Sasuke
Yesss cant wait
14:08 p.m read
He slowly sat down and stretched his whole body before going downstairs and eat lunch.
The day passed pretty slowly, but Naruto was glad when the moon finally showed itself in the dark blue sky. Naruto dressed up, put some shoes on before heading straight to the lake.
It wasn't past midnight when he arrived, and they normally arrived both a bit later. But Naruto couldn't wait anymore in his room. He wanted to go out. So it was a surprise when not long after him he saw Sasuke coming from behind the bushes. "You already here ?" He asks as he walks towards the blond. "Yeah, I wanted to get a bit of hair." He said looking at him. "Same." He quietly said as he sit down next to Naruto.
"So tell me, did you licked the songs ?" Sasuke intentionally stayed a bit silent before answering although he completely could of answered right away, but you know, he is Sasuke. "Not bad." He said coldly. "What do you mean not bad ! Don't you like any songs ?" Sasuke looked at him directly. Same gaze as always. "I did. I like them all to be honest." "Really?" Naruto asked with excitement. Now he share something with Sasuke. They shared the Beatles. "Which one is your favorite?" He ask, moving like a child who couldn't calm down. "I don't have a favorite one. Send me more next time." Naruto was surprised. "I didn't expected you to like all of them." He admitted. "Really? Why?" He asked. "Well you look like someone who don't listen to anything other than rock and dark stuff." Sasuke backed down a bit. "Do I look dark to you?" "Yeah, dark Sasuke." He laughed, but the other didn't, instead he poked the blond's arm. "Ow-you bitch!" He swore. Not really meaning it. He hit Sasuke back, and got hit again, until they just fought by the river.
They were really just poking each other and Naruto actually pinched Sasuke's waist, making the other boy bend, giving the opportunity to Naruto to end him. And that's what he did. He kept hitting him gently until Sasuke was on the floor and Naruto above him. Then Sasuke manage to grab Naruto's wrist, making him loose balance. Their noises were inches apart, he could see his clean so clearly. He was so pale, his skin was smooth too. It looked nice to touch. Naruto noticed his mole under his left eye again. He really looked pretty. None of them were speaking or even trying to move. Naruto's lips were slightly opened, watching closely Sasuke.
Suddenly, he felt a hand on his waist, pinching him. He was doing what Naruto was doing and god it hurt. Naruto quickly back off, laughing. "Shit that hurt man!" He complains. "Yeah I know since you've been doing the same !" He said, his voice slightly shaking. He had his arm over the lower part of his face, looking away. "Sorry didn't knew you were that fragile." He teased. "Shut up! I'm going home.." He said a bit violent. "Already ?" He ask confused. "Yeah, goodbye." He walked off without looking back. Did I..did something wrong ?
The walk home was not like the other ones. This time his mind wasn't filles with joy, but with doubts. He repeated the scene over and over again in his head. Was he too friendly ? Maybe he scared Sasuke. That was probably the case, but what can he do to fix it ? His thoughts wouldn't shut up. Even when he was closing his eyes, they wouldn't stop until he eventually fell asleep.
It's been almost three weeks since he met Sasuke, the heat had gotten worse. It was the middle of june, he only had one and a half months until school starts again. But since last time, four days went without any signs of live of Sasuke. He was getting more and more anxious as days goes by.
He tried sending him a few texts, even other songs he might like. He opened them, but he never replied to them. At least he was alive, and maybe he did listen to the songs. He hoped he did.
His thoughts kept going in circles, then, his door gently opens. "Naruto ?" His dad called. He sat up, his legs crossed. "Yeah ?" His dad walked in, and sat down next to him. "It's been a few days since you didn't saw your friend isn't? He asked with worry in his voice. "No.. I don't know why but he's ignoring my texts. Maybe I did something wrong ?" He said, looking up at Iruka. "What happened the last time you saw him ?" Naruto saw the memories replay in his mind. "We were chatting, then he poke me, and we started to kinda fight..but not fist fight, just pinching each other you know? But he grabbed my wrist then we stayed there. When I moved he looked angry and told me he was going home. Maybe he doesn't like other people touching him ? I shouldn't have done that." Naruto was sad, and he could see it on his face. Naruto was so expressive with his emotions, we could easily see through him. It broke Iruka's heart seing his child like this. "Go see him and talk things out. You can't just guess what he's feeling. If Sasuke really matters to you, you should be the one going to see him. I'm sure if you're important to him you guys will be friends again." He reassured him, caressing Naruto's back to cheer him up. "Yeah you're right, tomorrow I will go see him and talk things out !" His face looked more opened, Iruka was glad he actually helped his son. "Great, dinners ready, you coming ?" He said, getting up and waiting for Naruto to do the same by the door. "Yes ! I'm starving.."
The next day, Naruto woke up early. By lunch time he was already ready to go see Sasuke. After eating a bowl of rice and chiken leftovers from yesterday, Naruto went on his way to Itachi's house. This time he was the one walking thirty minutes, barely choking from the heat. The sun slightly made his head hurt. But it quickly went away once he was at the porch of Sasuke's house.
He knocked shyly, and someone quickly answered. It was Itachi. "Hello Naruto, what can I do for you ?" He politely ask with a faint smile. He and his brother shared the same eyes, it made Naruto's spine shiver. "U-um..is..Sasuke here ?" He finally said. "Yes, let me get him." He said, inviting Naruto to come in. He waited a few minutes by the door, observing around. Nothing much, it was really simple. A photo frame with two black haired kids with their mom and dad, he guessed. The walls were a light shade of brown. The wood looked really good he noticed. Then, he heard footsteps. He felt like his heart was going to stop.
"Hey." A familiar voice said. "Hey Sasuke..how are you." Sasuke quickly looked behind him, right after he grabbed Naruto's wrist and brought him outside on the porch. Once he closed the door he let him go. "I didn't wanted my brother to hear us, or he would of never leaving me alone with it.." He admitted. But what does he mean ? He just wanted to get Sasuke's friendship back. "Uh, yeah, okay." He scratches the back of his head. "So, I wanted to talk to you." Naruto was getting more and more nervous as he was speaking. But Sasuke stopped him. "I'm sorry about last night... I reacted badly, I shouldn't have ignored you. "He was looking at the ground. What's going on, he should be the one apologizing. He's the one who did something wrong. Of course, otherwise Sasuke wouldn't have reacted badly. "No, I should be the one apologizing!" He quickly said. Sasuke looked at him weird. "Why should you apologize ? You did nothing wrong." But Naruto couldn't believe him. "Yes I did, or else you wouldn't ignored me." Sasuke sight, was he pissing him off again ? "No you absolutely didn't, I just.. don't really think about it, okay? I just overreacted you don't have to worry about it." He looked straight at Naruto, his eyes were filled with a mix of sincerity and regrets. It made his heart twist to see Sasuke weaker than usual. He never want to see Sasuke like that again.
After a few seconds in silence, "Do you wanna go swim at the river?" Naruto finally proposed, changing subject. He couldn't bare watching Sasuke with that look on his face. "Yeah sure, let me get my swimsuit." Sasuke went back inside, five minutes later he was back next to him. "Let's go!" Naruto happily said. Iruka's words repeated in his head, 'I'm sure if you're important to him you guys will be friends again.' Maybe his dad was right, and Sasuke actually cared a bit about him. Sasuke sure did mattered to him no matter what. He was sure of it.
They weren't at their usual spot, but somewhere a bit further where the water is deeper so they can easily swim around. They threw their things in the grass, not really caring. Naruto jumped straight to the water, splashing Sasuke. "Naruto !" He said loudly. Once he came back to the surface he couldn't help but laugh. It was Sasuke's turn now to jump in the water. They stayed in the water for about one or two hours. Talking about anything while Naruto would be doing crazy poses under water and Sasuke would make fun of him. When they got out, Naruto was looking at him. But this time really looking. Like he did never before. He searched for moles on the skin that was visible like he would search for constellations in the sky at night. He felt his heart beating faster than usual. He didn't moved from the water. It was by his waist while Sasuke was going back to the grasse. As he was walking in front of him, he saw his back muscles moves as he was taking a step. He felt his face burning, but blamed it on the heat. Naruto followed his not long after. The other was already laying down with his hand behind his head, eyes closed. He approached slowly, as if he was scared he would go away like a bug he was trying to approach. His whole body was damp, and his black hair too. He's pretty.. Naruto thought in the back of his mind. He sat down next to him, as slowly as he can, still observing Sasuke in the light of day. Just as he was about to turn his head to look away, he opened his eyes and looked directly at Naruto. "Like what you see?" He joked. He was only jocking, but Naruto panicked. "U-uh?! No! Absolutely not! What the hell?" He half scream. And Sasuke smiled. A genuine smile that was for long hard for Naruto to see. He felt his face getting hotter, and his body too. It's the heat. The goddam heat. "Yeah right. I don't mind, you know." He said, his voice getting lower as he finish his sentence. Like he was scared to say it. "Oh..okay, if you say so." Naruto said, his arms hugging his knees, looking the complete opposite from Sasuke.
The afternoon passed and they shared their goodbyes before both heading home. Naruto was filled with joy. Too much, he could feel it at the end of each fingers. Everywhere in his body. A warm and sweet feeling in his belly and heart. He was relieved that Sasuke wasn't ignoring him anymore.
After sharing the happy news to his dad, Naruto finally went to bed. He threw himself on it after taking of his cloths off him. He checked the time, then he saw a notification from Sasuke.
Sasuke
Btw i listened to the songs u send me. I really like it thx
21:34 p.m read
Naruto was smiling like a little girl, the same feeling in his stomach came back. He wanted to see Sasuke as soon as possible. He had a friend now.
Two weeks flew by. Everyday the boys were outside, or during night. They got closer. Naruto was filled with happiness, he couldn't imagine a better summer than this one. But tonight, Sasuke was sleeping at his house. It was the first time a friend ever slept over, even Shikamaru never spent the night here.
After exchanging messages, setting when Sasuke would come, Naruto cleaned his room in order to make it a bit more presentable. He prepared everything for his first ever sleepover. Iruka even bought drinks and sweets he wouldn't buy because it was 'too unhealthy' for him. And he wasn't wrong but still. He set up his console once again and now he just had to wait until Sasuke would arrived.
Naruto practically ran to the door when he heard someone knocking. But once he was by the door he stopped himself and waited a few seconds before opening it.
"Hey!" "Hey." He was wearing the same shirt he did the first time they met. The one with the pokeball on his back. He had a dark blue backpack with him too. His hair looked shinier than usual. Naturo gesture him to enter as they both walks towards the adolescent's room. Once in, Naruto closed the door behind him, and Sasuke sat down on his bed like it was his own. It made Naruto feeling weird seeing his friend on his bed. But he didn't knew if it was a good or bad feeling. He brushed the feeling off and sat next to Sasuke before they started playing games.
They both were having a good time together. They kept laughing, Sasuke even cried of laughter once when Naruto was acting dumb while playing. Naruto felt the same warm sensation in his belly when he did. He wanted to make him laugh more. So he made more jokes, some more successful than other but he eventually made Sasuke laugh more than once. He wished this evening would never end.
But sadly life was not kind enough, and sleep were haunting them both. Once they were too tired to keep playing, Naruto proposed to put a movie which Sasuke immediately accepted. It was a poorly written cowboy movie. They were sat by the end of the bed against the wall, facing the TV. Naruto was half laying while Sasuke was sitting perfectly straight. The movie was too boring to keep him awake. He only close his eyes for a second, and when he opened them again, it was already late in the morning. His brain was slowly staring to turn on again. He was on his side on something soft. Then he felt a slight weight on his back and the top of his head. He tries to look up gently. That's when he finally realized he was on top of Sasuke who had his hand in his hair.
Panic filled his body. He was getting hot, too hot. Did he fell asleep too? Why his hand is over my head ? What do I do ? He started to take heavy breath. He just wish Sasuke wouldn't wake up anytime soon. How would he react if he saw Naruto laying on him. Would that be okay ? He didn't wanted to scare Sasuke away like he did last time. He tried to escape but suddenly Sasuke's arm kept him in place. Naruto's face felt like an oven. His lips lightly parted. Then, he heard Sasuke wake up. Fuck. Out of instinct, Naruto close his eyes and pretend to still be asleep. He couldn't see anything, but not long after, he felt his fingers playing with his hair. It felt good, really good. Playing dead was the best thing he could of done at this moment. So good he wasn't pretending to be asleep anymore.
He opened his eyes once again. This time it was cold, and the weight on his head wasn't anywhere to be found. Naruto eventually got up and searched for his phone. When he did, he saw that Sasuke had sent him a message.
Sasuke
Really had fun, we should do that again
12:35 p.m read
Do u wanna go by the river tonight?
12:36 p.m read
The second message made his heart stop. The memories of him being on top of Sasuke with his fingers playing with his hair came back. He felt hot again.
Me : To Sasuke
I'd love to!!
13:32 p.m
Then, a knock on his door. "Can I come in?" He heard his dad. "Yeah." The door gently opens and Iruka is now in front of him. "You're friend left while you were sleeping. Did you have fun ?" Naruto didn't respond, and his dad gave him a fun look. "Why are you making this face ?" Naruto hid his face with his hands. "What face ?" Iruka laughed, he felt the bed lower oneself next to him. "The one you're making, you look constipated, your whole face is red too." He pointed out. Naruto was still hiding himself. "Is Sasuke..more than a friend ?" He ask softly. "What do you mean ?" Naruto finally showed himself. "You know, when you like someone more than how you like a friend." No he didn't know, was there any difference ? "I don't know, I've never felt that before." He confessed, only making Iruka more interested in what he was saying. "What do you feel exactly ?" He said curiously. "Well, I always have a weird sensation every time I see him, sometimes it feels like stresse some times it feels..warm. I really like him, I'm glad to be his friend, really. I like making him laugh, but sometimes it feels as if my heart is going to stop." He says to his dad, who suddenly laughed. "What's so funny about that my heart might stop ?" He asks. "Nothing, I'm not laughing about that. Naruto.. I don't think you like him as a friend." Now he was confused. "What do you mean, he is my friend !" Iruka nodded before continuing. "I never said he wasn't, just that maybe, you want to be more than friends with him." Naruto was a bit surprised by what his dad said. "I'll let you think about it, just so you know, no matter what you fee I won't react badly, I totally support you no matter what you like, okay kid?" He gently pat the top of the blond's head. He left the room too quick to let him respond.
"More than friends ?" He sais out loud. Like.. a couple ? He thought, just by thinking of him and Sasuke has a couple made him feel the same weird things he would feel before. He never experienced love, he didn't know what it was. He only saw it in the series and movies he would watch, but that's all. He never really questioned himself about his sexuality. He knew gay people existed but he never thought of being homosexual himself. He never thought that Sasuke was gay either. But his dad's words made his mind spin. He memories every single night he shared with Sasuke by the river, contemplate the stars together. Every time his breath hitch when his skin touched his. Every time he would look at Sasuke and think that he was just stupidly beautiful. Every moles on his skin that he had memorized. Even this morning, Naruto was so comfy on Sasuke, he didn't want to move so as not to scare him away. All this he's been craving his attention and the skin on skin friction. But did it meant that he wanted more than friendship with Sasuke ? He didn't knew. But he had to found out.
That night, Naruto kept questioning himself wether or not he was in love with Sasuke. He couldn't think of anything else than him. And it made his head hurt a bit. He had to many questions, to many theories, he couldn't handle all that. So just like Iruka had told him, he can't guess Sasuke's feelings alone. He had to speak to him. He had to ask why was he caressing his hair with so much love ?
This time he was the first to arrive for his relief. But it didn't took long until Sasuke arrived. They basically arrive at the same time, it had become a routine without even thinking about it as a time to met. They just did.
"Hey." This time he was the first to say hello. He was to busy arguing with himself. "Hey, how are you doing?" He said, trying to not look weird. "I'm fine, you?" He quickly answered while making his way to Naruto and sat down. "Well.. I kinda wanted to ask you something." He said hesitantly. It made Sasuke's heart beat faster than usual. "What is it?" He was looking down, avoiding his friend's gaze out of shame. "You know you're my first real friend, that's kinda sad said like that but it's the truth! And anyway, I've been.. feeling weirds things around you." Sasuke's eyes opened, his breath was shaky. "But I don't know if it's friendship feelings or.. more than that feelings." He admitted. Both were silent. The tension around them was hard to bear and Naruto couldn't stand it anymore. Then, Sasuke opened his mouth. "Do you want me to help you figure out ?" He said with no insurance whatsoever in his voice.
Naruto quickly met his gaze. "How ?" He asked and Sasuke didn't knew where to look. It was the first time Naruto had saw him so flustered. Like he couldn't think straight. Was he panicking ? "We can kiss.. so you'll be able to figure it out." He finally said.
He could hear his heart in his ears, his face getting hotter, his palm sweaty and his breath shaky. "Do you want me..to kiss you?" He added after Naruto took a second to long to answer. "I-uh..yeah." He managed to said still shaking. Like in a dream, under the moon light, Naruto felt Sasuke's fingers brush his check. It was hesitant, pure. Like it was the first time he ever touched someone so intimately. The touch sends electric shots through his whole body. They both got closer, their arms were touching, be was able to feel Sasuke's heat. "Close your eyes." He said gently, caressing softly his cheek with his thumb. He listened and closed his eyes. He was a bit scared but he trusted Sasuke with his whole heart so he did not opened them. Sasuke looked at him closely, brushing his marks on his cheeks with his fingertip. After a few seconds that felt like hours to Naruto, he felt a bit of pressure on his parted lips. His lips felt soft against his, he loved it. He wanted to taste more of Sasuke now. He was sure of it. Friendship doesn't make you feel this way, but love does. Sasuke gently back off, but Naruto still wanted to kiss him. "How do you feel?" Sasuke finally ask. He looked so good with pink on his cheeks. "I don't think I want to be friends with you." He said. "Do you..want to be more than friends ?" Sasuke asked looking away, his cheeks more red than pink now. "Yes, absolutely, please."
It was late a night. Sasuke had his arms around the others waist with his head on the blond's torso, while Naruto was hugging him. Sasuke have been sleeping over for one week straight. Even Naruto couldn't believe it when Iruka said yes. But he was happy. He could he the cicadas sing far away. He was playing with his boyfriend's messy hair. But he couldn't relaxed. "Sasuke.." he looked up to face Naruto. "Yes?" "Do you really have to leave ?" He asked like a stubborn child. He knew Sasuke just couldn't. He had his life in Fukuoka too. Yet he still wished he could. "I don't want to either, I'll miss you." Naruto looked at his ceiling. "At what hour do you leave tomorrow?" He said with a low voice. "In the afternoon." Naruto was scared to lose him. Long distance was going to be so hard and they both knew it. However they won't let the distance tear them apart, they swore it will never.
The next day, Sasuke was collecting his stuff. Naruto sadly watched him in his bed. Since the morning he had been acting like a kid. Crying because is mom wasn't going to be home until late. Unless he wasn't a child and Sasuke left for a whole year. They promised to see each other next summer, and they will.
"Wait Sasuke, I wanted to give you something." He stopped him before he was going outside the house. "Like a goodbye present ?" He said with a faint smile, trying to make the atmosphere a little less sad. "Yeah you can call it that." He chuckled, before handing a thin rectangular box. "Open it when you're back home." He smiled, kissed him and left with his brother.
Sasuke was back at his small room, the view wasn't that bad he could see buildings with fun lights everywhere, but it was nothing compared to the view he had a the lake. He sat on his bed and remembered the small gift his lover gave him before leaving him. He opened his bag, and grabbed the gift.
Once he opened it, he saw a blank cd with written in black "Dark Sasuke" and a few cute drawings here and there. Sasuke couldn't help but smile. Then he noticed a letter glued to the cd. Once he got it, he read it.
"Hey, hope you came back home safe.
I wanted to give you something so badly but i didn't had any money... and i had this idea !! Remember when i recommended songs ? Well here's my whole playlist!!
I wanted to give it to you physically but if you want to listen to it on your phone i wrote the name of every single songs i gave you..
Hope you like it and that you think of me when you listen to it :)
Love you, Naruto"