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It happened sometime after the war.
Naruto had been yelling at Sasuke about leaving Konoha again, and how could he and where was he going and why couldn’t Naruto go with him when something inside Sasuke finally broke. He had walked up to Naruto, shoved him against the wall, and kissed him within an inch of his life.
“Okay. I’ll stay.”
Since then, they had become inseparable. Attached at the hip, the lips, the fingertips. They needed constant reassurance that they were together, that the other one was here. Sasuke moved into Naruto’s apartment almost immediately after.
Plants started to dot the windowsills, a blanket was strewn across the ratty couch, books spilled over shelves, groceries filled the fridge. Two people who grew up without a home found it in each other, and the small apartment started to feel like their own personal sanctuary.
Sasuke still got restless every now and then and felt like he needed to leave the village, needed space and time to himself, and Naruto was getting better at understanding that. Naruto told Sasuke he needed to know that he had someone waiting for him, a home to come back to, so Naruto would wait there in their home for him to return, always greeting him with a huge smile and open arms.
The first time Naruto was asked (more like ordered) by Tsunade to come with her on a diplomatic mission, Naruto had panicked.
“But if I’m gone, where will you be?” Naruto said, hands coming up to run through his hair, strands sticking out at all angles as he paced back and forth. “I won’t know where you are, fuck, you just got back and I’d gotten used to always knowing where you are, what if you leave and I don’t know it, or you leave and want to come back but I’m not there for you, what if -”
Sasuke grabbed his arm as he paced by him, and silenced him with a kiss, pressing their foreheads together. “I’ll stay here. Until you get back.”
Naruto’s wild eyes settled. “You will?” he whispered, sounding so much like the children they never got to be that Sasuke’s heart broke.
“Yeah, I will,” he whispered back.
◆
“What do you get up to while I’m gone?” Naruto asked him one night when they were tangled in their bed, head on his chest as he traced lazy patterns across his ribs. Sasuke pretended it didn’t tickle. Naruto was leaving in the morning for a short mission with Kakashi, but any time apart felt like agony.
“What do you mean?”
“Like, what do you do? You can’t possibly be sitting here in this apartment, silently brooding in the dark. Heh, can you imagine?” Naruto snorted.
Sasuke stilled. That’s exactly what he did when Naruto went on his last mission. Did he send a clone to check in on him?
“I don’t brood,” Sasuke scowled.
Naruto gasped, and picked his head up to look at him.
“Sasuke! That’s so lame!”
Sasuke rolled his eyes and rolled them so he was laying on top of Naruto and pressed his lips against his, hoping he could distract him long enough to change the subject. He didn’t want to think about them being apart. This method always proved to be an effective way of shifting the topic.
“Sasuke, you have to make friends!” Naruto said a little breathlessly, tipping his head back as Sasuke worked his way down his jaw. “You need to talk to people when I’m gone, or you’re, like, gonna go insane or something.”
Sasuke groaned, and not in the way he wished he would be by now. Naruto wasn’t going to drop it, then. “I have friends. You are my friend. You said you were my best friend, if I recall correctly,” Sasuke said, unable to prevent a bit of smugness from entering his tone. He liked that Naruto belonged to him, in every way.
“Well yeah, duh, obviously,” Naruto said, squeezing Sasuke around his middle and planting a messy kiss onto his cheek. “But if you’re going to stay here -”
“I already said I was going to,” Sasuke grumbled.
“If you’re going to stay here,” Naruto continued on, poking Sasuke’s nose, “You’re going to have to make friends. Seriously, tell me, what do you do when I’m away?”
Sasuke was silent for a moment. In reality, he does just wait for Naruto to return. But he would never say that out loud. He didn’t have to anyway, the expression on Naruto’s face told him he already knew. The bastard.
Naruto leaned in and gave Sasuke a gentle kiss.
“I just don’t want you to be alone,” Naruto whispered, burying his face in his chest. Something softened in Sasuke’s heart at the sentiment.
Naruto was always looking out for him. He knew he was Naruto’s priority - Naruto left no room for doubt of that - and he knew Naruto was just trying to keep the promise he made to himself, to Itachi. To take care of him. To love him.
He kept that promise every time he walked in the door to their home. He maintained that promise with every brush of his lips. He renewed that promise every time he told him he loved him.
When Naruto kissed him goodbye in the early morning before he left for the mission, Sasuke knew every fiber of his being was fighting to keep that promise. When Sasuke kissed him back, he hoped Naruto knew he knew that.
◆
Sasuke didn’t think any more of it at the time, but the longer Naruto was away, the frequency of his missions, the length of time he had to be on them, he kept replaying that conversation over and over in his head.
He had friends, didn’t he?
But, the more he thought about it, the more he realized he actually didn’t.
There was Team Taka, but he didn’t talk to them anymore, honestly didn’t even miss them. They had served their purpose, and had long since disbanded.
Sakura was his former teammate, but wasn’t really his friend. If anything, she was more Naruto’s friend. He was aware of her feelings for him - she wasn’t exactly subtle about it - and he did not return them, so he generally gave her a wide berth. He and Naruto got together so quickly after the war ended, and Naruto didn’t want it to feel like they were throwing it in her face. Sasuke could care less.
Besides, Sakura was busy at the hospital, and without Naruto there as a buffer, things were always awkward between them.
When he wasn’t accompanying Naruto on a mission, Kakashi would always come around to bother him. He would enter their apartment uninvited and just sit there annoying him, and Sasuke knew it was because Naruto had told him to. Check in on him, not to annoy him, although he knew Naruto would be delighted to know just how much Kakashi got on his nerves.
Sometimes he would be called into Kakashi’s office, and he would end up just just sitting there while Kakashi read chapter after chapter of his stupid book before he looked up and remembered he had summoned him. They would usually sit in silence, not really saying much, until Maito Gai would inevitably burst into Kakashi’s office with some type of challenge or another, and that’s when Sasuke would usually make his exit. He had nothing against Gai, but he really didn’t need to see his former sensei try to eye-fuck Gai right in front of him.
He would see Shikamaru outside Kakashi’s office, and they would exchange a nod at each other, sometimes share a wince as they heard some of the noises between Kakashi and Gai emanating from his office, but that was really the extent of their interactions.
Sai was - well, Sasuke wasn’t even going to entertain that.
With Naruto gone, he truly was friendless. Which, honestly, was fine by him. But what kept bothering him was that it wasn’t fine by Naruto.
Which meant he had to do something about it.
◆
Sasuke dropped his chopsticks for the fifth time that morning and finally had to admit that maybe something was wrong.
Actually, he knew specifically what was wrong, but now might be the time he had to acknowledge it.
He was restless.
Naruto was…well he wasn’t here, again, which was the problem. Naruto had to go on yet another diplomacy mission suggested by Tsunade in the name of Hokage training. Kakashi never hesitated to sign off on them - the sooner Naruto was ready, the sooner he could throw the hat at him and enjoy retirement with Gai.
It had been two weeks since Naruto left, and three more weeks until he was scheduled to return. This was the longest mission he had been on since the war ended, the most time they had spent apart, and Sasuke’s patience had started to run out. Sasuke had all this pent up energy, and like a boiling pot, he needed to let out some steam.
It was almost funny that Sasuke was becoming so antsy in his solitude. He used to be able to handle months alone. Now he had lasted just two weeks before he felt like crawling on the walls. Just one of the many ways Naruto had changed him, he supposed.
And, damn, he missed Naruto. His stupid face, his laugh, his smell. The way Naruto would do an exaggerated eye waggle at him every single fucking time he held up an eggplant, and the warmth in his eyes he always got when Sasuke rolled his eyes at him. The way he would pull him close to his body at night, as if they could mold to each other and meet in their dreams. The way his breath would hitch when Sasuke kissed that spot on his neck right where it slopes into his shoulder.
It had been too long since he was home.
Sasuke shook his head. When did he start acting like a lovesick child? He was only a lovesick nineteen year old, for fuck’s sake.
A bird cawed loudly outside the window and Sasuke jumped.
That’s it. It was time to venture out of the apartment.
Since the war ended, Sasuke didn’t really go out in public by himself too often. He knew his presence was still something the village was getting used to, and he didn’t want to make things more difficult for Naruto by causing trouble. Deserved or not.
But today, he thought he could at least make it to the training grounds without causing a commotion. He moved silently over rooftops and through trees anyways, perched on a branch, ready to jump into the field, but then he stopped.
It was still very early in the day, he didn’t expect to see anyone there. He certainly didn’t expect to see Rock Lee already there, bright green jumpsuit and all, deliver a roundhouse kick to an oak tree and split it clean in half.
The crack resounded throughout the field, echoing into the forest.
Sasuke watched as Lee tried to catch his breath, sweat dripping down his face as he looked at the cracked bark with pride. Then he stood up tall and stuck a pose, fist triumphantly raised in the air.
“I will now run one thousand laps around the village!” he declared to no one. Sasuke’s eyebrows lifted as he watched Lee break out into a full sprint away from the training ground, leaving a small puff of dust in his wake.
Out of curiosity, Sasuke stayed where he was and waited to see how long it would take for him to get back. He had rested his head back on the trunk of the tree and silently counted in his head, watching the training field below.
It didn’t take long for him to hear rapid footfalls growing louder and closer.
“ONE!” Lee shouted as he passed by, a blur in spandex.
After the tenth lap, Sasuke began to grow irritated watching him sprint and dropped down onto the field below, leaning up against the cracked tree. He wanted to use this field - it was quiet, secluded, and he was tired of waiting for Lee to be done. He thought his presence might make him leave sooner.
As Lee rounded the hill back to the training ground, he had to skid to a halt to prevent a collision. His thick eyebrows drew together as he looked at Sasuke, surprised to see him appear so suddenly in front of him.
“Sasuke! You are out on the training fields early this beautiful morning!” Lee said, catching his breath.
Sasuke said nothing, just watching Lee in front of him as he stretched his arms. Suddenly, Lee’s face brightened.
“Ah, I understand, you have come to fight me! We are long overdue for a rematch,” Lee said, crouching into a fighting pose.
“I - “ Sasuke began.
“BEGIN!” Lee shouted, and Sasuke brought his arm up quickly to block his attack before he was hit in the face by Lee’s fist.
Okay, so, they were doing this.
Well, he did come here to train.
Sasuke squared his shoulders and launched a barrage of offensive attacks, ones that Lee was quick to dodge.
It took quite some time before Sasuke was able to land a hit, and the force of his punch knocked Lee down onto his back. He fell with a soft “oof!” and Sasuke momentarily paused. He wasn’t actually trying to hurt him.
“Such excellent technique, Sasuke!” Lee declared, hand coming up to massage his jaw. “The sequence of your attacks is not one I have encountered yet. I will check out books from the academy’s library on ancient techniques and learn them so I may better block your blow, or I will do 500 pushups!”
“I think it’s going to take more than that to beat me,” Sasuke said, one eyebrow arched.
“Ha! I beat you once before Sasuke, I will do it again. That is a promise!” Lee struck his nice guy pose. He hadn’t quite gotten the sparkle that Gai-sensei has, but he was getting close.
Sasuke went a little cross eyed as he looked at the outstretched thumbs up in his face.
“Hn. Guess you have to keep practicing, then.”
Lee stared at him, his impossibly wide eyes getting wider. Then, a huge grin broke out on his face.
“Absolutely!”
◆
Early the next morning, Sasuke made his way to the training ground, and sure enough, Rock Lee was already there, bowl cut glistening in the morning sun, stretching out his legs. He stood up to greet Sasuke, mouth opening to declare some type of ridiculous salutation, but Sasuke just threw a punch that he barely dodged. A wild glint formed in Lee’s eyes, and they began sparring with no further grandeur.
True to his word, Lee had done some research since yesterday, and started engaging in fighting sequences Sasuke hadn’t seen before, but he was able to adapt his own fighting style easily. He hadn’t sparred much since he lost his arm, but hand-to-hand combat was like riding a bike, and he fell back into it easily.
“Sasuke! A moment, please!” Lee said after a while, straightening from his stance and holding up his hand.
Sasuke halted. “What is it? He asked, irritated at the interruption.
“I cannot help but to have noticed you are off balance when you try to use a right hook. May I?” He asked, gesturing to Sasuke’s feet.
Sasuke paused, then nodded.
“If you put your foot there and counter with your weight here, you will not lose your balance,” Lee gently said, pointing at different points on Sasuke’s body as he adjusted his stance. “Here, try it again.”
Sasuke begrudgingly threw another punch with the adjustments Lee made, and was surprised to find how well it worked.
Lee let out a whoop and threw his fist in the air. “Yes! I knew you could do it!”
Sasuke blinked. “Where’d you learn that?” he asked, impressed by his knowledge.
“I have been working with Gai-sensei on his training routine. He cannot put too much weight on his leg, so we have made adjustments on how he can counter effectively, both in and out of his wheelchair.”
Tears began to stream down his face as stars formed in his eyes. “I am very passionate about giving strength to those who are made to feel like they have none. I know what that feels like, and it is not a feeling I would wish upon anyone.
“Now! Let us try that sequence once more. Ready?”
Suddenly, Lee’s stomach grumbled loudly. “Are you?” Sasuke asked, raising an eyebrow.
Lee laughed, a hand coming up sheepishly behind his head. “Apologies, Sasuke! It seems I need to replenish my energy. Would you like to accompany me to get something to eat? Perhaps some curry? It is both flavorful and nourishing!”
Sasuke shrugged. “Sure.” It wasn’t like he had anything else to do.
Lee led them out of the training ground, talking all about the nutritional benefits of curry. Sasuke fell into step beside him, and just listened to him talk, not really saying anything back to him.
They walked into a small restaurant, and the owner greeted them. He seemed familiar with Lee, and with the way that Lee had praised the man’s food on the way over, Sasuke wasn’t surprised to learn that Lee came here almost every day.
The owner gave Sasuke a wary glance before showing them to their table in the corner, pointedly away from all the other patrons. Lee gave their order to the man - “two bowls of extra spicy curry with extra protein helpings, please!” - and Sasuke stared back at the man as he gawked at him.
“If you need anything, Lee, don’t hesitate to call for me,” he said, giving Sasuke one last uneasy look before hurriedly walking away.
Lee looked perplexed by his comment, his thick eyebrows drawing together in confusion.
“That was aimed at me,” Sasuke clarified. “Most of the citizens here hate me.”
“I do not hate you, Sasuke,” Lee said, picking up his chopsticks and breaking them with a snap. The owner placed down two steaming bowls in front of them, then quickly hurried back towards the kitchen.
“You don’t?” Sasuke said skeptically, arching one eyebrow at the green clad shinobi sitting across from him.
Lee shrugged. “You followed the passions of your heart and stuck to your convictions. One has to admire the strength of your character for not wavering in what you believed in,” he said easily, shoving a large bite of curry into his mouth.
Sasuke studied him for a moment. “Weren’t you part of that mission to kill me?”
Lee shifted in his seat, looking uncomfortable. “Ah, I suppose that was more about supporting Sakura than it was about stopping you. I did not wish to see harm come to her, or to any of my teammates, and going on the mission seemed like a good way to ensure they would remain safe.”
Sasuke blinked, then took a careful bite of his food. “Hn. This curry is too spicy.”
Lee let out a booming laugh. “My apologies! I forget that not everyone has an advanced palate like mine. Here, let me ask for some water for you.”
Advanced palate, huh? “No, it’s fine,” Sasuke choked out as he shoved in another bite. He was going to finish the whole fucking plate, even if it killed him. It honestly might.
“Spice allows us to awaken our tastebuds and further invigorate our bodies by sweating while we eat. It is like a workout for your mouth!” he said enthusiastically.
Sasuke huffed a laugh, carefully picking up another bite.
Lee stopped. “Are you laughing with me, or at me? Sometimes it is difficult for me to tell.”
Sasuke blinked. “Not at.”
Lee smiled. “Okay then. Sasuke!” he shouted, punching his fist into his hand.
“- I’m sitting right here, Lee -”
“ - Sasuke, there is a new technique I read about that was developed by a one armed shinobi, where she was able to wield water as an extension of her body. I think we should try her methods with your fire ability tomorrow morning.”
Sasuke was intrigued. “We better do it away from the village. Don’t want to be accused of trying to destroy it a second time,” he said dryly.
Lee laughed loudly at his comment, the sound obviously shocking to the other patrons in the restaurant. Sasuke hid his smile behind his napkin as he continued to eat the curry.
He got used to the heat after a while.
◆
The next few weeks went like this:
Sasuke didn’t say more than ten words to Lee throughout the day, but Lee didn’t seem to mind. Lee had plenty to say for the both of them, and Sasuke was content to listen.
He was surprised to find that he actually liked spending time with Lee. Underneath all that spandex and hair, he was actually quite intelligent and thoughtful, and a skilled fighter at that.
Lee was very animated, always gesturing wildly as he spoke about this and that. He was so open with his emotions that Sasuke never had to guess what was on his mind. He could usually tell based on the position of his eyebrows. He reminded him of Naruto in that way, the two of them sharing an appetite for life, and an enthusiasm for each day.
They spent the mornings sparring, sometimes their matches seeping into the afternoons, swapping techniques and trading blows. Lee had good suggestions on how Sasuke could adjust his fighting style with his arm, and Sasuke would help Lee train against ninjutsu.
It was…easy.
They had been sparring all day when they had paused for a moment at Lee’s request. He needed to stretch out his legs more often after his surgery, and Sasuke didn’t mind the break in their training.
“What interests do you have, Sasuke?” Lee suddenly asked him.
Sasuke narrowed his eyes at him. Lee looked at him expectantly.
“Why?” Sasuke asked.
“I am merely curious! I seem to know nothing about you, other than you have a mean jab, ” Lee said good naturedly, rubbing his jaw for emphasis.
Sasuke looked at him for a beat. “You want to know my interests?” Sasuke asked, raising his eyebrow at him. Lee nodded enthusiastically.
“I like…snakes,” Sasuke said carefully. “I think they are…” he swallowed. “Neat.” God, he was going to kill himself.
Lee’s whole face lit up. “Gai-sensei’s summons is a tortoise, so I, too, am knowledgeable about reptiles. For example, did you know that some species of snake purposely consume venomous toads in order to then make themselves become venomous?”
Sasuke sat up straight. He did not know that.
“Well, did you know that snakes can have up to 80 teeth?”
“Sasuke!” Lee stood up, fist in the air, tears streaming down his face. “The power of youthful knowledge is flowing through my very essence. We should exercise our minds and our bodies as we trade reptile facts as well as taijutsu moves!”
Sasuke leapt to his feet. “Okay.”
◆
“A most excellent hit, Sasuke! What is that move called? You must teach it to me!”
“Called?” Sasuke said.
“Does it have a name?”
“Oh,” Sasuke paused. “No.” He never really considered naming any of his moves. They just happened.
“Every great taijutsu move has a name!” Lee brought his hand up to his chin as he tried to think of an appropriate name for it.
“Maybe it’s called ‘you should duck faster,’” he said with a smirk, unable to resist poking at Lee’s speed. Sasuke knew how proud he was of how fast he could be, so naturally he had to take any opportunity to rub it in his face when Sasuke was faster than him.
Lee scowled at him for a moment, then he snapped his fingers. “I have got it! The Twilight Mallard!”
“I am not calling it that,” Sasuke said.
“How about The Morningtide Waterfowl?”
“Whatever it’s called, you better be ready for it, because I’m about to hit you with it again,” Sasuke said, rolling his eyes at him and readying his fist.
The Twilight Mallard. He really hoped that wouldn’t stick.
(It did.)
◆
“Do you have an extra set of leg weights?” Sasuke asked absentmindedly, concentrating on his kicks. The force of Lee’s kick was stronger than his, not that he would ever admit it, but Sasuke wanted to try it out. Natural physicality combined with his ninjutsu could make for a deadly combination, and with the rotation of his hip that Lee just showed him, their enemies wouldn’t stand a chance.
Lee dropped the board he was holding steady for Sasuke to brace against his kicks. His lip started to quiver and tears began streaming down his face.
“Actually, forget I asked.”
◆
“Sasuke! Come quick!”
Sasuke ran over to where Lee was, looking at something at the top of a training post. Sasuke’s heart rate sped up as he spied what had caught Lee’s interest.
“Look at the spots on that gecko,” he said in wonder.
Lee looked at him. “I apologize, Sasuke, but I believe you are mistaken. That is a skink, not a gecko. See how smooth the scales are?”
Sasuke glared at him. “You’re wrong, it’s a gecko. Look at the neck!”
“You are the one who is wrong! The movement of the tail is more characteristic of a skink!”
“Don’t let it get away. I have a book that will prove it is a gecko,” Sasuke said, making a sign with his hand to go back to his apartment.
“Ha! I am happy to let you expel your chakra to prove me right.”
“I hope you’re prepared to pay for the extra large bowl when you’re wrong,” Sasuke said, smirking at him as he began to flicker away. The book was right on his nightstand, he knew exactly where to find it.
Lee blinked, and Sasuke had returned.
“Well?” he said expectantly.
“...I couldn’t find the book.”
◆
“You’re late,” Sasuke said, scowling at Lee as he watched him approach their usual spot.
Lee bowed low at him. “I am sorry, Sasuke! I nearly forgot to bring this to you in my haste to leave this morning. For you!” He held out a small paper bag to him.
Sasuke looked at it skeptically, but reached out to take the bag. He peered inside, then looked at Lee.
“Absolutely not.”
“But, Sasuke!” Lee protested, reaching into the bag and pulling out a bright green jumpsuit. “You must try it on! See here, this sleeve is shorter so that it may snugly fit over your arm, allowing for comfort and flexibility, two crucial things a shinobi must have from their clothing during a fight!”
“There is no way that I am wearing that,” Sasuke said, emphasizing each word. He dropped the bag and threw a punch Lee’s way so he would drop the subject.
Sasuke ended up taking the bag home with him anyway. He shoved it in the back of the closet, intending to hide it so that Naruto may never find it, but he accidentally found another green jumpsuit, already balled up in the corner. He smiled and shook his head, putting it in the bag with his own.
◆
“Sasuke, I nearly got you that time! Something is clearly on your mind,” Lee scolded him, panting with exertion.
Lee was right, he was distracted. He kept thinking about Naruto and his mission. The time apart was getting to him.
Sasuke looked up to the sky for some strength. Friends tell each other things, and Sasuke was really trying at this whole friendship thing. Naruto was laughing at him somewhere, he knew it.
“Naruto is away from the village,” he choked out. He wanted to die.
Lee nodded. “He is on a mission with Lady Fifth somewhere to help his diplomacy skills.” A light seemed to go off in Lee’s head. “You must miss him very much. Your lover is away from you!”
“Don’t call him my lover,” Sasuke said flatly.
“Your partner? Your man of destiny!”
“If you say one more thing, I will punch you.”
“Ha! I would like to see you try!” Lee taunted, putting his fists up.
They sparred until late into the evening. Lee said a great deal more things, and Sasuke did manage to punch him. A couple times, in fact.
The two of them sat down in the grass after their match was over (Sasuke won). Lee was breathing steadily as he worked his way through his cool down stretches before he laid down on his back, propped up on his elbows. Sasuke was sitting with his arm slung over his knees. The two of them were watching the sun set over the horizon, the world bathed in pink and orange whorls.
“You must be eagerly anticipating Naruto’s arrival home,” Lee said softly, breaking the comfortable silence that had settled over them.
“Yes,” Sasuke said, a pit of anxiety forming in his stomach as he thought about how many days were left until his scheduled return. And that was if he was going to come back on time. You could never be too sure about how things could go, even on something as straight forward as a diplomatic mission. Until Naruto was home and in his arms, Sasuke felt like he couldn’t relax.
“I suppose you will have no time to continue to train when he returns,” Lee said. His tone was deliberately casual, but his eyebrows were creased slightly. Sasuke knew that meant he was upset about something. It didn’t take him long to figure out what.
“It’s always good to train,” he said, equally casual in his own tone.
Lee looked at him, eyebrows furrowed together as he studied Sasuke for a moment.
Then, he squared his shoulders and sat up.
“Sasuke, I must ask you a question,” Lee said, tone shifting into a more serious one, positioning his body so his full attention was directed at Sasuke.
“Okay,” Sasuke said tentatively, not sure where this was going, but willing to hear him out.
Lee took a deep breath.
“Neji is my eternal rival and always will be, but as my eternal rival, he would want me to always be pushing myself, striving for more. He would not be satisfied if I were to stagnate. So, I was hoping I could alight a new flame within my spirit and hold it against your own. Not as my eternal rival, but instead as my…everlasting competitor.”
Sasuke blinked. He was not expecting that.
“I hope you will accept my offer,” Lee continued on, clutching his chest. “Sparring with you has already improved my skills, and I am looking forward to the new heights we might be able to push each other to achieve.”
Sasuke was… oddly touched. He knew what this meant to Lee - for him to be asking Sasuke this was not something to be taken lightly. This was something he had clearly given a lot of thought.
Being with Naruto, staying in the village, Sasuke had found a home. The second it was offered to him, he wanted so badly to leave, convinced that there was nothing here for him, there was no one who wanted him around. But there is a strength in opening yourself up to the people around you, and being strong enough to let them love you back.
Lee had been meeting Sasuke where he was, only offering his friendship. He looked at Sasuke like he was his friend - not as a threat to the village, not as the “Last Uchiha” - just his friend. Simple, uncomplicated friendship.
Sasuke didn’t realize how much he needed that.
“Sure, Lee. I’ll be your…whatever you called it.”
Lee’s whole face brightened, and something warmed in Sasuke’s chest.
“Come on, don’t make it into a big thing. Let’s go get some curry,” he grumbled, turning away from Lee so he couldn’t see the soft blush on his cheeks. “You’re buying.”
He could feel Lee beaming behind him. “Lead the way, my everlasting competitor!”
◆
Somehow, slowly, miraculously, three weeks went by. Sasuke had grown accustomed to the pit of worry in his stomach, but he found it was more bearable with company. Spending time with Lee took his mind off of the horrible scenarios he always pictured Naruto in. Maybe this is why he wanted Sasuke to make friends.
Sasuke knew the moment Naruto set foot in the village. He was sitting on their couch, curled up with a book about chameleons Lee had given him, when his head snapped towards the door the second he sensed Naruto’s chakra signature.
Before Sasuke could even stand, Naruto had burst into their apartment, door nearly flying off the hinges.
“Hey, Sasuke,” he said with an easy grin, as if he had just run out to the store and hadn’t been gone for a month and a half.
Sasuke met Naruto halfway and they collapsed into each other. Sasuke buried his face in his favorite spot, right where Naruto’s neck sloped into his shoulder and held him tight. Relief bloomed in his chest, and he couldn’t help the tears that sprung to his eyes.
Naruto held him back just as tightly, turning his head to kiss his temple. Sasuke pulled his head back to look at Naruto. He had tears in his eyes, too.
“You look tired,” he murmured, brows furrowed as he traced a dark circle under Naruto’s eye with his thumb, brushing away a tear that had fallen. Sasuke didn’t miss the way Naruto closed his eyes and leaned into his palm, and his heart softened at the sight.
“Yeah, but it was worth it to get back to you one whole day early,” Naruto said, a smile gracing his lips as he opened his eyes to look at Sasuke. “Let me look at you,” he said, tilting Sasuke’s face towards the window, the moonlight illuminating his cheekbones.
Sasuke rolled his eyes and shook his head, and pulled Naruto in for a searing kiss. He had been away for too long, and Sasuke needed to feel his body underneath his own, the warmth of his skin caressing his.
Sasuke started tugging at Naruto’s jacket, his pants, and Naruto’s face lit up as he realized what was happening. Naruto gave an exaggerated eye waggle, and Sasuke couldn’t help the laugh that bubbled out of his chest.
Naruto had been gone a long time, but none of that mattered now. He was in Sasuke’s arms. He was home.
◆
“So come on, tell me,” Naruto said, arms wrapped around Sasuke’s waist as he settled his head on his chest, sheets tangled between their legs. “What did you get up to while I was away?”
“I sat in the dark and ate uncooked ramen straight out of the package,” Sasuke said.
“No way,” Naruto said, shoving him slightly with a laugh. Sasuke smiled, then shrugged.
“I learned some new facts about snakes,” Sasuke said, noncommittally.
That part was true. He and Lee had once spent a whole day at the academy library. Lee had issued a challenge on who could find the most obscure reptilian fact that the other one didn’t already know, and they spent hours pouring over textbooks and research papers. They stayed there so late they had to be kicked out by a confused, but irritated Master Iruka. They called it a draw.
“Oh, yeah? What’s the coolest one you learned?”
“I learned that some snakes eat poisonous toads to get their venom,” Sasuke said, looking up at the ceiling.
“Really? So snakes and toads can make each other better. That’s so cool,” Naruto said, kissing Sasuke’s shoulder.
“The snake has to eat the toad, Naruto,” Sasuke said flatly. Naruto shook his head.
“No, it’s like, the snake craves the toad because it makes it stronger,” Naruto said, picking his head up off Sasuke’s chest to look at him. “The snake knows that it can’t do what it needs to without the toad, and the toad knows the snake needs it. They’re a perfect match, ya know?”
“The toad makes the snake stronger,” Sasuke mused, the weight of the sentiment settling over his heart.
Naruto beamed at him, and it was like looking at the sun.
Oh, he had missed him so much.
◆
“By the way, Kakashi told me to tell you he’s having a huge dinner at his house tomorrow night, and he told me your presence is required. We should bring something, maybe like napkins?” Naruto said, shoving a huge bite of ramen into his mouth, slurping noodles and spilling broth all over their table.
“Will Rock Lee be there?” Sasuke asked, picking at his own dinner. It was too bland. He stood up to grab some chili oil from their cabinet, adding a generous scoop to his own. He took another bite. Much better.
“I - Bushy Brows?” Naruto asked, shooting Sasuke a puzzled look. “Most likely. Why?”
Sasuke shrugged. “Just wondering.”
Internally, Sasuke was relieved. Now there would be at least two people there that he could talk to. He could even put himself between them and talk to both of them at the same time if he wanted, then no one could accuse him of being anti-social.
“They probably have napkins at their house, Naruto,” Sasuke said, watching Naruto eat his ramen as sloppily as he possibly could. Maybe they should bring some anyway.
“Yeah, but we don’t wanna be rude!” Naruto said, before belching loudly. Sasuke threw his napkin at him before Naruto lunged over the table to tackle him to the ground.
“You’re getting faster with that arm,” he said, laughing as he dodged out of the way of Sasuke’s swing.
“Not fast enough,” Sasuke grumbled, turning his head as he braced himself for a barrage of kisses from Naruto. Some spars were worth losing.
◆
“Sasuke! Naruto! Good to see you!” Maito Gai had greeted them as they walked into his and Kakashi’s apartment the next night, clapping a hand on Sasuke’s shoulder, grin and sparkles in tow. They had settled on not bringing food or napkins, but instead to bring a plant to add to their collection. A purple orchid - the plant was picked out by both of them, but the garishly orange pot was picked out by Naruto.
Sasuke gave Gai a respectful nod of his head in greeting and extended the plant to him. “Thank you for inviting us.”
“Of course! Keeping the youth of Konoha well fed is a noble honor indeed! Long hours of training need replenishment in the form of nourishment, and my beloved rival and I are more than happy to share with you all. It is a glorious privilege to care for our precious students,” Gai said, getting a little watery eyed at the end.
Sasuke was suddenly struck with a memory of being slung over those broad shoulders, carried like he was nothing back to the village. Sasuke had felt the weight of the world crushing down on him, was trapped in his own personal nightmare, and yet he was handled with care by a man who didn’t know him. Because he was precious, even then.
“Please, enjoy yourselves!” Gai said with a flourish of his hand. Other students had already arrived, making themselves at home in the apartment. A pleasant chatter had settled over the room as everyone was talking and laughing together, the smell of warmth and food wrapped around everyone like a familiar blanket.
Sasuke watched Gai walk back over to where Kakashi was standing, and Kakashi gave them a lazy salute of his hand as he wrapped his arm around Gai’s waist, turning his head to press a masked kiss to his cheek. The two of them had never looked happier.
There were moments, when Sasuke would be in Kakashi’s office, where Gai would come over around Kakashi’s desk and kiss his forehead, and Kakashi would roll his eyes but Sasuke saw how the tips of his ears would get red, and he would think how nice it was. They all fought so hard for peace, it was now their duty to enjoy it. Friends, family, these things were not to be taken for granted. They all knew better than anyone how quickly it could be taken away.
“Sasuke!” Lee yelled, bounding right up to Sasuke with a huge grin on his face. “I am glad to see you!”
To everyone’s surprise, Sasuke smiled back. “Yeah, good to see you too, Lee.”
“Come! I made my famous Mighty Protein Noodles, you must try some!”
Naruto felt like his jaw was going to physically hit the floor as Sasuke looked over at him, squeezed his hand, and followed Lee to where he was enthusiastically pointing out his dish, explaining in excruciating detail the process he takes to make them.
Sasuke scooped out a generous portion onto one plate, and started scooping more onto a second plate. He said something to Lee, who laughed, then turned and made his way back to Naruto.
“You wanna tell me what that was about?” Naruto asked, accepting the plate of food Sasuke handed to him, the smell of spice coming off the noodles making his eyes water.
“I guess he is my…friend,” Sasuke said, sipping a drink noncommittally.
“Wait, you made a friend? And the friend you made is Bushy Brows?” Naruto clarified, disbelievingly.
“Yes,” Sasuke said. “Didn’t you tell me to make friends?
“I did, but - “
“Oh, my everlasting competitor!” Lee interrupted, dashing over to the two of them, jumping excitedly in place. “You must come meet Ningame, he is out in the yard! Perhaps if we are respectful enough, he will allow you to feed him some lettuce!”
“His what?” Naruto shouted, completely bewildered by what was happening.
“Be right back,” Sasuke murmured, pressing an absentminded kiss to Naruto’s temple as he shoved his plate into his hands, following Lee outside eagerly. The chance to meet Ningame was something Lee had been talking about for days, and Sasuke couldn’t wait to ask him some questions he had written down.
Naruto stared after them as they ran outside.
“Green jumpsuits are hard to resist,” Kakashi said fondly, coming up to stand by Naruto, eyes curved in what he assumed was a smile. “It’s nice to see Sasuke getting along with someone other than you for a change.”
Naruto looked out at Sasuke and Lee, the two of them asking questions to the irritated looking large tortoise in the yard. Sasuke said something to the tortoise, gently holding out a piece of lettuce to him. Ningame looked at him skeptically, then slowly reached out and took a bite. Lee whooped next to him, and Sasuke blushed slightly, a smile forming on his face as Ningame took another bite. He looked back to see Naruto watching him, giving him a small wave.
Naruto felt like his heart was about to burst out of his chest. This is all he ever wanted for Sasuke. Warmth, friends, family. Love.
“Yeah, it really is great, isn’t it?” he said.