Archive of Our Own

The house room feels a bit claustrophobic with so many people in the house, but fortunately, this particular room is quiet, as only his pack and the two Betas tasked with dressing Sasuke are present.

Suigetsu watches in the mirror as they put more and more fabric on Sasuke. He has to admit, the embroidery speaks of meticulous work, with details that add to the creativity of the decorations. Every thread has a purpose, and the fabric is of excellent quality. He'd be a fool not to see how beautiful it is.

But, in the end, it's just fabric, and it's the one who wears it, it's the one who gives it that final, majestic touch.

He returns to his reflection, shaking his head as he picks up the brush. His hair isn't as long as Sasuke's and Karin's, but he can style it so it doesn't look like a bird's nest, as the red haired Omega loves to call it. Speaking of the devil, the Omega approaches the mirror as well, her hair pulled back in a simple bun, adorned with a pin in the center—two white flowers that stand out against her reddish hair. She straightens up to check her kimono. It's black with purple flowers and gold details. On her obi, as well as on her sleeves, there's a thin white snake. Once she's satisfied with her appearance, she sits back down. Suigetsu can see the Uchiha symbol embroidered on the collar of her kimono.

The Alpha reaches out to the same spot on his garment, feeling the threads of the same symbol. Instead of filling him with pride and warmth—since Sasuke considers them family—it only makes the lump in his throat grow even tighter.

They really don't belong here.

“This is such bullshit.” He whispers, looking at Juugo, who is standing beside him. Juugo is wearing a similar suit to his own, black with a white snake wrapped around the fabric at his wrists, only Juugo’s is larger and hangs loosely on his body.

“Calm down, Suigetsu. You’re just going to make Sasuke even more nervous,” the Beta chides him, glancing behind him to make sure everything is alright with the Omega.

Sasuke doesn’t appear to hear them, or at least he doesn’t seem to. The Betas are busy folding the obi at his back.

“But it is, everyone knows that—”

“We know, Suigetsu, but Sasuke has already made a decision.”

“Yes, a terrible decision!” he shouts. Sasuke turns to face him, and both women stop their work, staring at him wide-eyed. “Sasuke, please—”

“I’m hungry, you didn't bring anything in your backpacks?" Suigetsu abruptly stood up at the change of subject, anger and frustration evident on his face. "I'll look for something in the kitchen."

No one stopped him. In the corner of his vision, he could see the two women resuming their work, but giving him looks of confusion and disgust.

Suigetsu left the room, fuming, and only got worse when he found Naruto's stupid friends on the living room, each still in their Konoha uniforms, as if they were waiting for a battle.

"...with him, he's unstable. All he's going to do is cause more trouble than he's worth." Shikamaru grumbled. He was never particularly hostile toward Sasuke when they were Genin, but after that mission where his friends almost died trying to bring him back, it's an understatement to say his resentment had grown over the years.

Kiba agrees with him, Rock Lee, Choji, and Shino are neutral, but none of them raise their voices to defend the Omega.

Suigetsu walks past them, rolling his eyes. He hates this place to his core.

The kitchen is packed when he enters, with men and women rushing about trying to finish the food that will be served to the enormous guest list, most of them on the Alpha's side, of course.

Suigetsu sees what he expects to be tomatoes, so he approaches and, with a triumphant smile, confirms his suspicion.

He takes one of the tomatoes and a knife, ignoring the glares those present are giving him. He begins to cut the tomato into wedges. When he finishes, he puts them on a small plate and leaves the kitchen, humming a song.

Konoha isn't his home, it never was, but Sasuke considered it a part of his childhood, and even though Suigetsu thinks all of this is outrageous, he can't really change his mind, not Sasuke's.

He sighs, opening the door to the room once more.

Sasuke is still in the middle, now seated, while one of the Betas brushes makeup over his eyes, the red highlighting his skin tone.

"I found tomato," he announces. It's a little funny how Sasuke jumps in anticipation, but his face remains the same. Years of seeing him through his cage have given him a vast understanding of Omega.

Suigetsu approaches the raven-haired man, who tries to take the plate, but the Alpha stops him before he can reach it. "You'll get it on your suit," he says, taking a piece with a toothpick and feeding it to him.

And so the Betas finish applying Sasuke's makeup, their postures tense and their gazes fixed on the way the Alpha feeds him so naturally. Honestly, this isn't unusual for them, they're a pack, after all, a fraternal love that keeps them together through life's ups and downs. Although, on second thought, Suigetsu can understand the hostility Naruto feels toward him specifically.

He takes another slice of tomato and places it on the Omega's reddish lips, which he takes almost instantly. Both women make the final adjustments before bowing and starting to pack up their things.

"You're making a mistake." The Betas stop again. "Konoha isn't your home, Sasuke, please, think—"

"That's enough, Suigetsu!" Karin shouts, grabbing her kimono and lifting it just enough to kick him across the room. “Can’t you see Sasuke is nervous?”

“I’m not—”

“Karin’s right, Suigetsu. None of us like it, but Sasuke made his decision.” Jugo crossed his arms, looking at him like he was a little kid making a tantrum.

Suigetsu stared at him in disbelief.

“Am I the only one with a problem with this?!” he exclaimed even louder, desperation lacing his words. “We’re practically handing Sasuke over to the Hidden Leaf Village on a silver platter! Don’t you remember they wanted to take his eyes as punishment?!”

“That’s enough, Suigetsu! All you’re doing is making us all anxious!”

“Sorry to make you anxious, you witch! Everyone here knows that—”

Sharp crying interrupted their argument, and everyone stared at the small crib in the corner of the room.

Suigetsu felt even more cornered, looking at Sasuke in despair, pleading with his eyes for him to reconsider his decision, but the Omega simply stood up, grabbed his robes, and walked over to the pup, taking him in his arms. The crying stopped, leaving behind a heavy silence that no one dared break.

Without a word, Sasuke walked toward the door, one that led to a passageway straight to the backyard.

Suigetsu, Jugo, and Karin exchanged glances and quickly followed him, the Omega taking the Wataboshi from the Beta's hands first.

"Where are you going, Sasuke?" Karin asked gently so as not to lift the baby again, who was peacefully nestled against his mother's chest.

"To pray." The Omega's answer left them confused, but they continued to follow him. There was a slight tremor in their shoulders, and Suigetsu felt guilt tighten in his chest.

No one said a word on the way to the shrine.

The small shrine is neglected, Sasuke was never a religious person. He supposes that if his family were still alive, he would have followed the religious path like many in the main branch, including his father, who prayed daily to his goddess, Amaterasu.

After the genocide of his clan, Sasuke never set foot in this place. Some nights, in fact, he cursed whatever deity had put him through this, that kept him alive despite the suffering.

And yet, here he is, bringing a new human being into the world with an enormous weight that he will have to bear on his small shoulders for the rest of his life.

Amaterasu was the goddess of the sun, who kindled the flame of the Uchiha and granted fertility to the Omegas, the matriarch goddess of his clan, the most venerated and most invoked. Sasuke remembers, as a child, the offerings his aunt and uncle left at their wedding. It was a happy event, and even more so when he learned she was pregnant.

(He never got to meet his cousin)

Sasuke clasps his hands together in front of him, a sigh escapes his lips, and he calls upon the goddess for the first time in a very, very long time.

The wind blows, a light, cool breeze that stirs the dry leaves on the ground, but it doesn't penetrate the multiple layers of his Shiromuku. His body remained warm even though it was the beginning of winter.

Sasuke begins to pray, asking for abundance, stability, health, and that the peace enveloping Konoha never disappears. No matter how much he hates this place, he asks that this calm last for years to come, an oasis free of darkness and corruption where the future can rest without worries. He asks for a life without complications for his pup, without hostility or pain.

Sasuke asks for a miracle.

The Omega doesn't know if anyone hears him or if the gods are just a story the ninjas invented to cope with their daily lives filled with blood, pain, and death, but he prays with all the faith he can muster.

When it ends, the wind picks up again, stronger than before, but it's fleeting. He opens his eyes and pulls a small branch from his sleeve, adorned with peach blossoms, each one displaying its splendor and beauty to the world. Sasuke gently cradles the branch against his chest, careful not to break a single petal, then places it at the foot of the shrine, giving a final bow.

"Sasuke?" Suigetsu's voice makes him turn to his right, finding the Alpha looking somewhat ridiculous in his formal attire and with his hair tied back. Menma rests peacefully in his arms. "Are you alright?" He places his hand on his shoulder, his face filled with worry that he couldn't fully express with words.

"Yes." he replies, quick and sincere, as he always has been.

Suigetsu nods, but his hand remains on his shoulder for a few more seconds before finally disappearing.

"The ceremony is about to begin, let's go," the Alpha says, rocking his son to keep him from crying.

Karin, who had been sitting on a thick root, gets up with a groan, her face soft and her smile genuine as she shows him the Wataboshi.

Sasuke leans down so she can place it on his head. The silence is somewhat heavy, the Omega senses the tension among the members of his pack, and although they try to pretend everything is fine, they can't truly hide anything from him.

The wind picks up again, and Jugo moves to his side so he can hold on, walking slowly back toward the Uchiha village.

Recently restored to its former glory, the place overflows with beauty, with new houses and others renovated, all empty. The roads are paved, and there's a park again, where Kakashi placed a statue of his brother in the center. Sasuke still can't go through those paths. Not yet.

The place is silent, as it did before, a desolate space with no one else around. There's no one from his clan in this village, and the bitter taste of loneliness doesn't seem like it will ever disappear.

He stops right in front of a house, one that was rebuilt from the ground up.

The color, the materials, the shape- everything is different from what the Uchiha were used to. Nothing is as it was before, and he's the only one who can notice. He's the only one left to remember the legacy of an entire clan, one that founded the very place that shattered his life—

"Sasuke." Suigetsu gripped his arm, forcing him to look into his blue eyes, desperation etched on every part of his face. “It’s not too late yet. We can still forget this place and go back to being fugitives. We can find a safe place, a place without ninjas, where he can grow up—”

The Omega places his hands on the Alpha’s, stopping him from speaking. He couldn’t express in words how much he admired his pack. Being by his side wasn’t easy, but still, here they were… Here they were.

He looked at the Alpha’s arms. Menma was looking at him with those blue eyes that had been etched in his memory since Naruto came into his life. He saw his innocence, his vulnerable state, the way he stretched his arms out toward him. His mother, whose hands were stained with blood, but his pup didn’t care, his arms remained outstretched, longing for his warmth.

He leaned closer, letting Menma’s hands caress his cheeks.

“It’s okay.” He says with certainty, even though he knows he'll never be completely happy in this place, that every time he wakes up he'll be alone, without any member of his clan… But Naruto will be by his side, forever, and perhaps that's all he needs.

Suigetsu doesn't let go of him, Karin and Jugo look physically defeated. The redhead's tears don't fall on her cheeks, and the Beta tries to look anywhere but at him.

Slowly, Sasuke raises his hand and strokes the Alpha's hair, running his wrist along his neck to scent him. Suigetsu’s shoulders relax almost instantly, pressing his cheek against his hand, arms instinctively pressing Menma against his chest, who begins to babble, a sound that soothes his mother's soul.

"I'll be alright."

…

"Where's Sasuke?" Choji asks, coming out of the kitchen, a steaming tray of cookies in his hands. "I told him to come check on the desserts, and I can't find him anywhere."

“Maybe he disappeared, ran away from Konoha again, the rebellious bride,” Kiba replied mockingly, adjusting his tie in front of the mirror. Beside him, Shikamaru chuckled, a lit cigarette dangling from his lips. “No one’s seen him for a few hours. Ask Sakura,” Shino said when he realized no one was going to answer the Beta's question without an insult.

“What happened?” Sakura appeared from another room, arriving just as Shino called her name. She was wearing a black kimono adorned with cherry blossoms and was putting a cherry blossom hair clip in her hair, but it was difficult without a mirror.

“Sasuke hasn’t shown up, and he hasn’t tried the desserts. Don’t you know where he is?”

“Sasuke doesn’t really like desserts. I’ll try them.” Sakura approached the tray and took one of the cookies, savoring it for a few seconds before giving it a thumbs-up. “They’re perfect, tell them to keep going with this recipe.”

“Thanks, Sakura.” Choji sighed in relief and went back to the kitchen.

“You don't know where Sasuke is?” Rock Lee asked, his tone somewhat worried, a far cry from his usual exuberant personality. “The ceremony is about to start, Naruto hasn’t noticed he’s gone yet, if he does—”

“Nothing good is going to happen, I know.” Sakura sighed, closing her eyes to try and remember if she had seen him anywhere.

She thinks of the Omega or someone from her pack, but her mind goes blank. How could they lose a group of people in the same house? Even worse, how could they lose an entire pack while being ninjas?

The pink-haired girl bites her lip, the scent of an anxious Alpha doesn't fill the air thanks to Tsunade's training, but it's hard not to succumb to panic.

This wedding has shaken Konoha like never before, even the news that Sasuke would have a pup wasn't as well-received as the wedding itself. All the civilians decorated the streets and even closed shops to witness Naruto and Sasuke's journey to the temple. After all, their Alpha champion, who defeated Pain and was key to stopping the war, was getting married. How could everything come to a halt because the bride decided to run away? That would cause chaos and hysteria around Konoha, and if the Omega was already on shaky ground because of his crimes and having a pup out of wedlock, this would only lead to a new wave of hatred towards Sasuke.

“We have to find him before Naruto finds out.” she looked at Rock Lee, who nodded in agreement, heading for the door.

Kiba let out a loud sigh, opening his mouth to probably say something stupid, but before he could, the door opened, almost hitting Rock Lee, who stepped back to let Jugo through. His imposing figure made its way through the narrow space, looking at them with the same expression that everyone in Sasuke's pack seemed to have by default. He turned to extend his arm, which Sasuke took, using it for support to enter the house without stumbling, since the suit greatly restricted his movements, which could make reaching certain places difficult.

Beneath his Uchikake, Menma's bulge is visible, playing with the fabric.

"Are you thirsty?" Suigetsu asks, entering after Karin. Sasuke, whose mouth Sakura can only see thanks to the Wataboshi, shakes his head gently.

Internally, Sakura sighs in relief. She decides to approach the Omega, trying to appear as friendly as possible, two months have passed since Menma's birth, two months in which the pup's features have remained a mystery to all of Konoha, two months in which Sasuke and Naruto have been on edge. Sakura knows the Omega feels vulnerable and anxious about the situation, any movement could cause his instincts to overwhelm him, any word or action could be taken as a threat to his pup, so the Alpha tries not to make him feel cornered.

It doesn't quite work, judging by the tension in the Omega's shoulders and the sharp glares Suigetsu and Karin are giving her.

“You look beautiful, Sasuke.” She compliments him, from this angle, she can see the raven-haired boy's eyes, the Rinnegan stands out against the white of his suit, and Sakura can't help but get lost in them for a few seconds.

“Mh.” is the Omega's response, but the pink-haired girl doesn't take it badly, she simply smiles even wider.

“Are you nervous?”

“No.”

“That's the spirit of youth!” Rock Lee's shout breaks the somewhat awkward silence. The venomous glares between Kiba and Suigetsu weren't new, but the tension of the situation has them on the edge. “Sasuke, you and Naruto are going to be the first in our generation to get married! Isn't that exciting?!” Sasuke doesn't react, but his pack does. Suigetsu growls at the Alpha when he tries to approach the Omega, possibly to hug him, and in response, Kiba does the same, eager for a chance to fight any of them.

The tension grows, Kiba moves closer, intending to strike Suigetsu, Akamaru close behind. Ever since the Omega pack arrived in Konoha for the party, their hostility towards the Leaf Village ninjas has been obvious, and Kiba is a quick-witted individual.

Sakura is the only one who tries to stop him; the others simply stand on the sidelines, watching. No one in this village truly supports Sasuke, and while they aren't exactly cruel to him, they don't do much to make him feel comfortable either. She knows it's just a matter of time, that the hostility will eventually end, but that moment hasn't arrived yet, and if she doesn't act now, it might never come.

Sakura felt panic rising again, they couldn't have a fight before the wedding, it could ruin everything, and Naruto would be devastated.

But before Kiba could reach Suigetsu, Sasuke shoved the Alpha behind him, his body now between them, his face contorted in pure fury, fangs bared, then hissed in the Inuzuka's face, the message loud and clear: 'Stay away.'

Everyone froze. Sasuke used that moment to straighten up and swing his arms. Menma's soft gasps were the only sound in the room.

"Suigetsu, bring me tea." The Alpha didn't move at first; his gaze was still fixed on Kiba, but finally he took the first step, growling one last time as a warning before heading straight for the kitchen.

“Bunch of idiots…” Karin mutters, but Sakura knows that Karin

knows they all heard her.

Kiba sits up, seemingly shaking off his shock, and points at the redhead, opening his mouth to shout what will likely be a string of obscenities. However, Naruto’s heavy and characteristic footsteps stops him, making all of them look towards the stairs.

Naruto is wearing his wedding suit, the black accentuating his blond hair and blue eyes, the Uzumaki symbol on his sleeves and back is prominently displayed.

“Oh, Sasuke, I was wondering where you were.” Naruto reached the Omega in three large, hurried strides, tenderly kissing the bridge of his nose, Sasuke’s sigh kinda resembles a laugh.

Naruto steps back a few inches from the Omega to let him raise his Uchikake, allowing him to see his son.

If looks could kill, Naruto would probably be dead with the way Karin and Jugo were glaring at him.

“Why do you look so angry? Aren’t you happy to see your dad, hmm?” Naruto sat up and kissed Sasuke again on the lips, moving down to his neck to savor the scent of his future wife. “You look so beautiful, Sasuke.”

“Mh.”

Suigetsu appeared with a glass in his hands, rolling his eyes when he saw the blond.

“Here’s your tea.” He said, elbowing the Alpha to make his way to Sasuke, who took the cup with extreme care not to spill a drop on his pup.

Naruto glared at the white-haired man for a few seconds, the hatred was clear in his eyes, but he decided it was best to ignore him for the moment. He then turned around and saw his friends standing uncomfortably tense at the edge of the room.

“Hey guys! You look great, thanks so much for helping us with all this, it means a lot to us, y’know!” Naruto massages the back of his neck as he usually does.

Shikamaru, Shino, Kiba, Lee, and Sai surround him, their voices echoing in the room and creating a comfortable atmosphere, the tension now forgotten in everyone's minds, while Sasuke's pack does the same for him, constantly checking his clothes and the pup to ensure the Omega's comfort.

Sakura sighs longingly, even though her feelings have diminished over time and she now knows that Sasuke would never reciprocate them, she still can't help but admire his beauty. The way his shoulders are relaxed, and his hands free of any weapons, makes him look vulnerable, delicate, the glow of motherhood has truly made him shine brighter.

“Wow, Naruto, you finally took a bath.” She teases, approaching the boys with a smile. “Did you even comb your hair? Look at that mess you've got there.” Naruto laughs, a hand behind his head, that smile that, despite the passage of time, remains so bright and comforting to all of them.

"Oh, come on, Sakura, it's my wedding day. Can't today be an exception?"

"Nope, I'm sure no bride in this village wants her husband to look like he just woke up from a nap." She crosses her arms, and Shikamaru laughs at her comment.

"Shikamaru, you traitor! You're supposed to be on my side." Naruto gasps like a little kid. "Besides, Sasuke doesn't care how I look, he loves me just the way I am." He smiles confidently again, as if he's the biggest winner.

Shikamaru scoffs and rolls his eyes. The Alpha's obsession with Sasuke seems absurd to him, he thinks it blinds him to the most obvious things that put him in situations he would never have had to face if it weren't for the Omega.

Needless to say, he doesn't approve of this wedding.

The pink-haired girl pinched him before he could voice his complaints again, sending a look that she hoped would be enough to keep the peace.

Fortunately, the hall door opened again, and a Beta appeared, bowing respectfully. His robes indicated he was one of the temple's monks.

"Uzumaki-san, Uchiha-san, it's time."

Naruto feels a shiver pass through his entire body, his sight returning to Sasuke, lately he can't seem to stop seeing him, like a carnal instinct that is born from the center of his chest since he found out about his pregnancy, and even less so now with that beautiful kimono he’s wearing.

He takes a step to reach him, ignoring the gazes of the people around them, taking a strand of hair to tuck it behind his ear, smiling at the slight blush they had.

“Don't be a sap.” Sasuke says with a smile on his face, turning his body towards Karin to hand her his baby, kissing his baby’s forehead lovingly and then returning to Naruto's right, following him to the entrance.

(In the distance, Naruto's friends try to steal a glance at the puppy, but Karin quickly hides him in her clothes)

Two of the monks open the curtains, Naruto fills his lungs with oxygen and takes the first step. Outside, there were the people who took care of the temple, some civilians, Jounin watching along with Iruka, who would accompany him in the ceremony.

Sasuke's space is empty.

Naruto feels the panic in his chest begin to bloom in his chest, however, at that moment Kakashi appeared, he looked a little funny in his formal suit, he had already gotten used to seeing him in his usual attire as Hokage.

He turned just in time to see Sasuke stepping outside the house.

Everything stopped in his mind.

The way the sun made his Shiromuku shine, the Omega's delicate movements as well as his face, made up with just enough makeup to highlight his beauty, oh, Naruto can't wait for him to be his.

“Why’s Kakashi here?” Sasuke asked when he was close enough, a comment only he could hear. "I had to ask him to come with you, the council told me that they wouldn’t accept our engagement if there was not someone from Konoha on your side." Sasuke didn't say anything immediately, he took his position to his right, and Naruto felt a thin layer of sweat on the palm of his hands.

Sasuke doesn't have anything tying him to Konoha yet, he can just jump, grab Menma, and disappear like he had in the past.

Obviously he would go after him, but he would prefer that he stay here, by his side.

He swallows thickly, trying to find some middle ground, but just as he opens his mouth, Sasuke speaks.

“I just want to marry you.” Naruto felt his face heat up at the Omega's words, it was difficult not to take him by the shoulders and kiss him in front of all these people present, not to mention that Sakura would probably kill him, so he patted his cheeks gently to focus, looking at the gates of the villa and all the people gathered on the banks, leaving a path in front of them.

Sasuke's pack gets into position behind him, Iruka, Sakura, Shikamaru and Rock Lee do the same but behind Naruto's back, and that's how it began.

The walk’s slow, with civilians trying to take the best photos, and even though it's a little embarrassing to have so many people see them at such a personal event, Naruto doesn't hear or see anything other than the Omega to his left.

He stretches out his hand, managing to grab a piece of his Uchikake and pulls it gently, trying to send a mental message to the black-haired man.

He succeeds, and soon, his hand wraps around Sasuke's, lovingly.

Although their heights are similar, Sasuke favors speed more, while Naruto favors brute strength, the Omega's body is thin with fine-tuned muscles to give him speed and precision, while the Alpha's is robust with raw muscle to lift and hit things with greater force.

These differences are also noticeable in his hands, Naruto can feel the calluses where Sasuke holds his Katana, with thin and delicate yet deadly fingers, details that he has memorized since the war ended.

Konoha overflows with happiness and excitement, on top of them were decorations that go from building to building, marking their path with hope and love.

Years ago, Naruto wouldn’t have been able to even imagine that these people who hurt him so much now wish him nothing more than his happiness.

Naruto squeezes Sasuke's hand, caressing his knuckles and letting his pheromones flow into the gland the Omega has on his wrists.

The Alpha raises his head, proud, his smile is bright and full of hope for the future, the Omega, on the other hand, keeps his gaze forward, he doesn't look at any civilian or ninja, his gaze is indifferent and focused on the path.

They finally arrive at the temple, where the large number of guests are already present, the doors of the temple close, and the civilians are left outside, leaving only the people who were a vital part of Naruto's life inside.

The Hyuga stand out among them all, with their traditional clothing and cloud of obvious disgust. Sasuke looks at Hinata for a few seconds. The kimono she is wearing is beautiful, but the way Hiashi is standing in front of his older daughter, who does everything possible to avoid seeing him, is obvious she wishes she were in his shoes.

He looks ahead again.

The music played by the temple attendants stops, and they enter the main hall where the ceremony will take place. Behind them, the crowd of guests follows.

Naruto takes the first step and helps Sasuke up. The entrance is massive, and the scent of wood and incense is strong.

This was really happening.

Naruto fills his lungs with air. The hall is decorated in a traditional style, and at the front is the small space where they will exchange vows and he’ll bite Sasuke's delicate neck in front of everyone, claiming him as his one and only Omega for life.

And all the ones after this one, he thought to himself, looking at the Omega again, even though it hurt physically, he let go of his hand.

Sasuke didn't even glance at him.

The guests take their seats, the front row is occupied by Sasuke’s pack, Kakashi, Iruka, and Naruto's closest friends, whom he considers family. Behind them are the other guests.

The Hyuga clan sits on the corner, while Gaara and his siblings take their places in the second row as well as Teuchi and his family, smiles never leaving their faces.

The ceremony begins, and all conversations cease around the hall, plunging the place into absolute silence.

The priest begins a speech that Naruto tunes out, his attention is completely focused on the presence to his left.

The glasses clink as they are placed on the table in front of them, and Naruto takes his cup in his hands with a bow, wincing at the taste of the sake.

He saw Sasuke do the same, but unlike him, he maintained his serious and indifferent expression, save for a small wrinkle at his lips that showed how much he detested alcohol.

Naruto grinned from ear to ear.

Once the third cup was poured, Naruto took a deep breath, picked up the sheet of paper the temple had given him, and began reciting his vows with all the determination he could muster while Sasuke held a portion of the paper.

“Today, on this day of happiness, gathered under the watchful gaze of the Moon God, we give thanks with all our hearts for this ceremony,” Naruto began. “We vow from this moment forward to love one another, to trust our partner, to share the good times and face the bad. We vow that, throughout our lives, these promises will never change.” Naruto folded the paper.

“Husband,” he recited in a strong voice that echoed throughout the room.

“Wife,” Sasuke’s voice was sharp and no less powerful.

The Alpha places the paper on the table with an elegant move, he didn't practice for weeks just to make a mistake at the most crucial moment.

The priestesses hand them two branches, which will carry their hopes and prayers to the Moon God.

Naruto prays that Sasuke will remain by his side in this life and in those to come, that their destinies will always be intertwined in one way or another, he prays for a future where Sasuke sees Konoha as his home, for health for his pup and those to come, and for an eternal marriage.

Naruto prays for love.

He opens his eyes and, at the same time as Sasuke, places the branches on the table, letting their prayers reach the Moon God and, with faith, be fulfilled.

Konohamaru arrives with the small box containing his rings, his face red with tears adorning his eyes, along with a thin line of snot that made the Alpha smile. The little pup's smile was full of happiness and hope.

Naruto took the thinnest ring, though by a small margin, and with his other hand held Sasuke's, easily placing the metal on his finger.

Sasuke did the same with the remaining ring. The Alpha couldn't help but feel a shiver run through him when the Omega touched him of his own volition, feeling his skin caress his own, the softness of his hands, the marks his sword had left, the small scars after years of battle…

The Omega gently pinched his hand, bringing him back to reality. His face was mocking, and Naruto couldn't help but let out a small chuckle.

Next, the priestesses went to their families with sake in their hands. Instantly, their packs rose and received their cups of the liquor, marking the end of the ceremony.

Naruto glanced sideways at his partner. Sasuke didn't seem bothered by Kakashi's presence, but the Alpha hadn't spent so much time following the Omega around to not know every minute detail of his body and what it meant.

He was truly annoyed.

The head priest gave another speech, something about prosperity and love, about how an Alpha and an Omega should love each other—things that never really interested him.

The Betas in charge of the temple removed the Wataboshi from Sasuke's head.

The Omega's hair left his neck exposed most of the time, but no one was brave enough to approach.

Except, of course, Naruto.

"With the Alpha's bite on the Omega's nape, this pact of eternal love between these two is sealed. The mark is non-transferable and indelible, no force in this world will be able to erase this mark. Therefore, the question is posed: Are you—"

"Yes." Both answered in a somewhat tired tone, the man's incessant chatter had already annoyed them both.

The priest nodded. If he was offended by being interrupted, he didn't show it.

"You may proceed."

Sasuke walked towards Naruto, his forehead touching the Alpha's shoulder, leaving his neck exposed in a symbol of submission. The Alpha raised his hand and covered his face, caressing his cheek to show him support.

His fangs lengthened, piercing the thin skin of his neck.

The bond was sealed. Naruto felt ecstatic, like a piece he needed was finally in place.

(Sasuke could feel every cell of his body changing, his scent, his thoughts, everything… For a moment, he thought he was someone else.)

The thunderous applause from the guests almost made him jump, he looked at the audience as Sasuke pulled away. The bite was deep,Naruto had bitten deeper than usual, and at any second, blood would reach his precious suit—

Karin appeared and placed a bandage over the wound, cleaning the area with her free hand and making sure not to stain his clothes. His pack surrounded him, creating a barrier to keep everyone away, their expressions were filled with concern.

“Congratulations, Naruto.” Sakura’s voice made him spin around, the Alpha was overjoyed, hugging him so tightly she lifted him off the ground. Iruka was behind her, tears in his eyes. “How are you feeling? Different? Anxious? The marks take time to fully connect, so—”

“I don’t feel any different,” Naruto confesses, his smile stretching from ear to ear. “I can feel it beating.” The Alpha touches his chest, massaging the spot tenderly. “I can feel Sasuke’s heart beating with mine.”

Sakura’s eyes widen in surprise, but she smiles nonetheless, her friend’s emotion is palpable.

“I’m so happy for you guys, Naruto,” she confesses, tears welling in her eyes, but she quickly wipes them away, her bright eyes meeting her friend’s hopeful gaze. “I wish you two all the happiness in the world.”

The Alpha smiled at her, hugging her tightly before turning to Iruka, who was still shedding tears, his sobs muffled by the noise of the room. He can hear Guy and Rock Lee’s shouts about youth in the distance, but the smile never leaves his face.

A gentle thought takes root in his mind as Iruka congratulates him, a subtle shift that almost goes unnoticed were it not for its persistent nagging in his head. Something speaks loudly behind his head, a message that Naruto, still reeling from his commitment, struggles to process.

Love.

It hits him suddenly, a pure and yearning love that remains constant in his mind, in his body. It's as if that feeling embraces every cell of his being in a warm touch, so genuine, so special.

He turns his head, his eyes meeting Sasuke's, who seemed to have been watching him, but as soon as he noticed Naruto looking at him, he looked away, and with that, the feeling vanished.

Sasuke smiled as he held Menma, twirling a strand of his hair to distract him. Menma's small hands tried to catch it with clumsy movements and chubby hands, his laughter lost in the noise, but Naruto could only sigh longingly.

I love him, Naruto thought, I love every part of him: his eyes, his thin lips, his shiny hair, his soft skin, those expressions he makes only when I'm with him, his hands, his strong legs. I'm so lucky to have him in my arms again, to be able to create a family with the person I adore most, to be able to see his eyes every morning for the rest of my life, to be able to hug him every night…

Sasuke lowers his gaze even further. Naruto can see the blush creeping up his neck, now a deeper shade of red—

Oh.

He quickly returns his gaze to Iruka, the blush tinging his cheeks, but his smile remains as bright as ever. He touches his chest affectionately, right over his heart.

Finally, the wait is over.

The party starts and the only thing Kakashi thinks about is how the hell is he doing to talk to Sasuke.

The room was spacious, perfect for keeping all the guests comfortable without feeling claustrophobic, perfect for war veterans and paranoid ninjas.

Naruto is ecstatic, the smile he has had since the ceremony began hasn’t been erased from his face, he and Sasuke are at a separate table in front of the guests, each one took off the outside of their suits to be able to move comfortably, however, the Omega keeps his uchikake over his arms to protect his puppy from the fresh breeze... And from the stares of everyone present.

Part of Kakashi hoped that Sasuke wouldn't return to Konoha, after his fight with Danzo and the ninja war, the village wasn't the best place for a pregnant Omega, especially if said pregnant Omega was an Uchiha.

However, a larger part, the one that drowned in nostalgia for simpler times, that remembered his little ninjas that made their way into his heart, wished that the Omega would return to a place where Kakashi could have him close, where he could protect him, although he is sure that he can protect himself without his help.

Kakashi raises his gaze from his plate again, his gaze automatically falling on the Omega to Naruto's left, his neck had been bandaged by the Omega girl in his pack, Karin, if he remembers her name correctly, Kakashi never understood the tradition of publicly marking your partner in front of so many people, he remembers hearing at the academy that this way divorces were avoided and the birth of puppies was increased almost threefold, which makes it sound strangely barbaric, for the Omega, of course.

Sasuke steps closer to Naruto, their shoulders touching insistently, almost as if they want to merge into each other's bodies.

Naruto rubs his cheek against the Omega's in response, petting the pup’s head lovingly, letting the baby grab his finger, his hand comically small compared to the Alpha's.

Kakashi returns to his plate, using his chopsticks to pick up the meat of the fish.

“I thought Sasuke was going to kill you when he found out you were on his side.” Guy says, his mouth full of food, the tone of his voice the same as always, which is encouraging, in a way. “He's not the type to ignore things that bother him.”

“No, it's not.” Kakashi says. "But for Naruto he would do anything."

And that's the dilemma, isn't it? A love as strong as Naruto and Sasuke have still shakes him to the core with fear and uncertainty because no one knows what awaits them in the future, the adversities of a married couple are very different from what their students are used to facing, not to mention that they skipped a few steps in the relationship by having a child right after the fourth ninja war ended. What about missions? Will Sasuke leave the ninja life to take care of his cub? He doubts it, the Omega tends to get restless if he follows a routine for a long time. What will happen when Naruto becomes Hokage? The work is extensive. Who will take care of Menma when his parents are protecting the village? Sasuke doesn't trust anyone outside of Naruto and his pack in that specific order. And what will happen when Menma is old enough to enter the academy? Will he become a ninja like his parents or will Sasuke oppose it? The council is very eager to see the abilities of the pup born to the strongest ninjas today, he doesn't like to think about the way they stopped his sentence just for the opportunity for more power in the Omega's belly.

(The way they talked about Sasuke almost made him lose his composure)

He sighs, massaging his forehead heavily, the expectations Menma will have to endure will truly be a nightmare.

"What are you thinking, Kakashi? You're at your students' wedding, try to look happier for them." Anko hits his shoulder with more force than necessary, an involuntary gasp leaving his lips. “I'm happy for them, this is my happy face.” The Alpha rolls her eyes in annoyance, pouring herself more alcohol and filling his own, which only had tea.

“Hey-”

"Come on Kakashi, it's a party, we have to celebrate properly!" Kakashi rolls his eyes but takes the cup, his gaze returning to the Omega again.

Sasuke has his hands free, slowly eating his plate lost in thought, Naruto holds Menma, his plate untouched in front of him. Sasuke seems to feel his gaze as he raises his head and they see each other for only a few seconds before the Omega's face contorts into what is probably disgust.

Kakashi returns his gaze to his plate.

Sometimes Kakashi wonders if Sasuke really chose to return to the village by his own choice or if the manipulation Naruto has perfected over the years finally worked on him, Kakashi hopes that in the future, when Naruto becomes Hokage and Sasuke realizes that Konoha can become his home again, they can all see each other as comrades once again.

He supposes he'll have to wait a few long years for that to happen.

"Are you really going to talk to him?" Guy asks.

"Yes."

"Well, if you're going to do it, I think now's your best chance." Guy takes a swig of his miso soup. "Naruto just stood up."

Kakashi glances back at the newlyweds' table, where, sure enough, Naruto is walking to what is probably the bathroom. The Omega is holding the pup wrapped in his uchikake while he takes another bite of his food.

Sasuke remains seated, and Kakashi wastes no time, getting up and walking over to the Omega, sitting in Naruto's place.

"Hello," he says in the friendliest tone he can muster. Judging by Sasuke's expression, he's sure he could have done better. The grip on his pup tightens. “I wanted to come and congratulate you-”

“Do you need something?” A third voice interrupted him. Kakashi looked up to find the white-haired boy who was also part of Sasuke’s pack, and judging by the expression on his face, he really wasn’t welcome here.

“It’s alright, Suigetsu.”

“But-”

Sasuke gave him a look, and the Alpha, not very happy, returned to his seat, never taking his eyes off them.

“You’ve already given your congratulations, you can go.” Sasuke grunted, taking more of his fish with his free hand, gently rocking Menma with the other.

“Actually, I wanted to talk to you.” Kakashi said, looking around the room again. The number of guests was a bit ridiculous in his opinion, but Naruto knew a lot of people, it was obvious he would try to invite as many as he could. “Considering everything that’s happened, I think it’s necessary to talk before you fully enter married life.” Sasuke sets his teacup down on the table.

“I didn’t know you gave marriage advice, you, the eternal bachelor.” Sasuke takes another bite of his food and puts it in his mouth, all without even looking at him.

“I know, a little strange, don’t you think?” Kakashi laughs, Sasuke doesn’t.

There was a brief silence. Kakashi took a deep breath and finally spoke.

“I must be the last person you want to see on the happiest day of your life, your wedding! Not many people have the privilege of marrying the person they love.” Instinctively, Kakashi tries to put his hand on the Omega’s shoulder, but stops himself just in time. He doesn’t want to lose his arm, thank you very much. “I guess the whole feeling came all at once and…”

“If you’re going to say something, just say it, you old bootlicker, I don’t have the time—”

“I'm sorry.” Sasuke closed his mouth, his incredulous gaze escaping his perfect control. “I should have spoken to you a long time ago. I suppose my pride and my hope of doing the right thing held me back, but I should never have left you alone, especially with the terrible situation Konoha put you in.” Kakashi gazed at the people in the room.

“I realize that, even as your sensei, I failed to teach you so many things, to trust your teammates, to trust me, I was so focused on my own pain and how I was handling it that I didn't understand why you weren't doing the same, and no one could understand you, no one knew what to do with you, and it was my job as your sensei to help you… But I didn't.” Kakashi took a deep breath, and Sasuke remained silent.

“I failed as a teacher, I failed you, Naruto, and Sakura, I failed to keep you safe, all the pain you had to endure alone, and I could have prevented it if only… If only I had…” Kakashi sighed, rubbing his eyes with a tiredness that seemed to reach his very bones.

There was a brief silence as Kakashi thought his next words.

“I know Konoha is the last place you wanted to raise your pup, and that your decision to do so is purely out of your love for Naruto,” Sasuke blushed a pretty pink color that. “But Sasuke, believe me when I say I’ll do whatever it takes to make Konoha a safe place for you and your baby.” Hesitantly, Kakashi placed his hand on the Omega’s shoulder, who didn’t react at all.

“Please, trust me.” The Omega fixed his gaze on Kakashi, his black eyes searching for any sign in the Hokage's expression. Despite not having his Sharingan activated, Kakashi felt the scrutiny of his judgment.

Kakashi didn't tremble, he kept his body relaxed and his expression open.

Finally, after a few seconds that felt like hours, Sasuke moved, his Shiromuku hindering his movement due to the thick, multiple layers of fabric of his suit. The Omega then—

Then, lifted his Shiromuku, revealing Menma's small body to his eyes.

The pup writhed in his mother's arms, rubbing his face against the sudden light that assaulted it.

He had a lot of hair, black like his mother's, with those markings on his cheeks just like Naruto's. He could see both of his students in that small creature.

And then…

He opened his small eyes.

Kakashi's breath caught in his throat.

Blue.

The Uchiha are known for many things, one of them being their characteristic black eyes that seemed almost soulless, but here, in the result of the love between an Uchiha and an Uzumaki, it seems that Naruto won the battle against Sasuke's genes.

Kakashi smiled behind his mask, raising his hand with slow, deliberate movements so the Omega could stop him if he wished.

He didn't.

Kakashi placed his hand on the infant's chest, feeling his breath and his beating heartbeat. Menma continued to stare at him, his eyes filled with a brightness that could only be described as alive.

"He's beautiful, Sasuke." He complimented him, gently stroking the pup's cheek and reveling in the almost imperceptible smile the baby gave him. "And very big, I'm sure you weren't this size." Sasuke smiled, with melancholy, but he smiled nonetheless, and Kakashi would take it as a victory.

"Yes, I think that's thanks to Naruto."

Kakashi nodded, deeply focused on memorizing every little detail of the baby. Sometimes he longed for the Sharingan again so he could vividly relive moments he wanted to remember, like this one.

Menma squirmed in his mother's arms, gripping Kakashi's finger tightly, but his eyes never left Sasuke's figure, making small sounds to get the Omega's attention.

It was a sight for sore eyes, Sasuke, who for years had seemed unattainable both emotionally and physically, now had his emotions on full display, but only for his son and husband. Kakashi could see the adoration, the love, the devotion in Sasuke's eyes, when in the past, all he saw was pain, fear, and hatred.

Kakashi withdrew his hand and placed it in his lap, smiling beneath his mask.

“I’m entrusting everything to you, Kakashi,” Sasuke murmured, taking his son’s finger on his own and caressing his small knuckles. “I am one thing, but I won’t let this place hurt my son.” The Omega didn’t need to voice his threats aloud, Kakashi understood perfectly what would happen if he didn’t keep his promise.

However, he wouldn’t have uttered any of his foolish speech if he weren’t prepared to move heaven and earth for the cause.

“I won’t fail you again, Sasuke.”

The celebration unfolded slowly and harmoniously, Gaara was genuinely surprised that there hadn’t been any attacks against the newlyweds or the village leaders present. It would have been perfect, a well-calculated ambush could shatter the delicate balance of peace that Naruto had bestowed upon them, but he knew that no one was foolish enough to interrupt such a beautiful ceremony.

Gaara steals another glance at the head table, Sasuke is chatting with one of his pack members while Naruto talks with Hinata and Shino. He can sense Sasuke's barrier against everyone present except his pack and husband. He can't really blame him, everyone here tried to end his life in one way or another, including him.

Temari is talking with Shikamaru while Kankuro is deep in conversation with Kiba and Shoji.

Gaara had done everything he could to avoid coming to the ceremony. Seeing the man he dreamed of spending the rest of his life with marry someone else really wasn't his style, but then again, this was the person he loved most, he couldn't miss such a significant step in his life.

He wanted to be a part of his life, one way or another.

The Omega looked at his cup, the tea was already cold and half full. His plate was empty except for the fish bones, the stress of the whole situation seemed to have reached his stomach.

He's surprised that everything is still inside him, honestly, because ever since the news that Naruto was having a pup with the war criminal Sasuke reached him, the nausea and vomiting have been a daily occurrence, along with crying, of course.

He wasn't aware of the situation in Konoha until they arrived for the wedding a week ago. Shikamaru had to break the news with his passive-aggressive comments about the baby's birth, explaining how no one had known until Sasuke showed up with a bundle in his arms at the Konoha market. Naruto revealed that he had Menma in his apartment's bathroom with the help of his pack after much insistence by his friends.

Sasuke's pack are still taking care of the pup, all to avoid Konoha's attention.

And it certainly worked.

"Not even Tsunade has seen the baby," Shikamaru told them. "Naruto has been very firm in his decision, even going against the old woman." A decision that probably wasn't his, but Sasuke's.

Gaara sighed, rising from his place at the table. There were many scents in the room, and his nose had always been more sensitive, perhaps it was a consequence of being a jinchuriki. He should ask Naruto if he suffered from the same affliction.

Temari watched him leave, her worried expression dissipating as Gaara gave her a small smile. The Omega made his way through the crowd to leave the hall.

Outside, the starry sky greeted him, along with a cool, pheromone-free breeze. He couldn't help but take a deep breath, closing his eyes to revel in the freshness of the air.

Opening them, he found the courtyard, once filled with guests, now empty, everyone inside the hall enjoying themselves with friends and colleagues.

Or rather, almost empty.

A few steps ahead of him stood the distinctive figure of Sasuke. His white kimono, despite lacking the uchikake, looked majestic under the starlight. Whoever made the outfit had truly put a lot of effort into their work.

Sasuke has his back on him, and Gaara notices the bare skin on his right shoulder. However, Gaara knows he recognizes his presence, and without much thought, he approaches the Omega. Perhaps it's a bad idea, but Gaara doesn't dwell on it until he's close enough to speak to him.

"It was a beautiful ceremony," Gaara remarks, his gaze fixed on the starry sky.

"Mh."

Gaara steals glances at the Omega, careful not to stare too closely.

Sasuke keeps his eyes on the stars, Gaara wonders if that position is aggravating his recent bite, but if it is, he doesn't seem to show it. He keeps his arms across his chest, as if he's hugging something and—

Gaara turns his gaze forward, a slight blush appearing on his face, not because of the situation, but because of his embarrassment at shamelessly watching an Omega feed his pup.

It's normal, he thinks, it's a physiological process that most Omegas go through when they have pups. Obviously, they're going to feed them with their bodies, and there's nothing shameful about that.

However, common sense dictates that you shouldn't stare so rudely at that person.

The silence is deafening, the only sounds are the cicadas, some branches rustling and the soft panting of a baby nursing.

"What's his name?" he asks, trying to keep his voice neutral and peaceful.

Sasuke doesn't answer for long moments, Gaara thinks he's been ignored. It's okay, he tells himself, it's not like he has an overwhelming need to—

"Menma."

Gaara does his best not to jump at his voice.

"You… chose the name?"

Sasuke looked at him, not with that look he had when they faced each other long ago, when his face, streaked with tears of blood, shook him to the point where he thought darkness had consumed him completely. No, his eyes were now bright, relaxed, even loving, one might say.

His sister, sometimes romantic, used to tell him that the eyes were the windows to the soul, and it seemed that she had a point.

"What do you want?" Sasuke growled, adjusting his pup's head so he could continue eating. Gaara could only see his large, black-haired hair, and when he involuntarily tried to look more closely, Sasuke raised his arm and hid it with the cloth.

"I'm sorry," Gaara said, returning to his place, a hand over his mouth, his cheeks burning even more under Sasuke's gaze. "I didn't mean to—never mind." He shifted his gaze to the sky.

However, now that he knew the baby was here, he couldn't help but listen to every little sound it made, from the gentle suckling to the soft gasps as it nursed.

The pain in his chest intensified.

"I don't know if you knew," Gaara said, his gaze never leaving the sky. "But I didn't know you were an Omega until I found out about your pregnancy."

Sasuke made a sound that could honestly mean several things—Naruto was the expert here, after all—but Gaara took it as a sign that he was paying attention to his words.

"You know," he tried again, unaware of what was encouraging him to do so. "When the order for your execution was given, there was a moment when I told Naruto to stop trying to bring you back." He smiled, a hint of bitterness in his chest as he remembered how Naruto had rejected him without much thought.

"I always trusted Naruto, and I knew that sooner or later he would achieve his goal, but not without getting hurt in the process." He looked at his hands, massaging his right palm with his left, trying to keep the frustration from spilling over into his words. “You hurt Naruto in ways none of us here can understand, physically and emotionally. So many people in the world, and he bonded so deeply with you that it was impossible for him to see anyone else.” It was impossible for him to see me, his treacherous mind thought.

“Everything he did, everything he achieved, nothing was enough for him, and in the end—”

“In the end.” Sasuke interrupted, the bandage around his neck showing itself to Gaara like a mockery of his love. “I’m here, aren’t I?”

Sasuke’s eyes were narrowed, black so deep it seemed to see right into his soul. His posture was tense, like a wire about to snap, about to strike.

But in all of this, Gaara could see, for the first time with clarity since meeting Sasuke, the protectiveness behind his gaze, the possessiveness, the devotion…

A weight lifted from his shoulders.

Gaara couldn't help it, a wide smile spread across his face. He had to admit he hadn't expected to burst into loud laughter, placing his hand on his abdomen at the loud sounds he emitted, which made Sasuke back away, his face contorted in confusion and ready to attack, if necessary.

Finally, Gaara recovered and wiped away a single tear that had escaped, perhaps from happiness, perhaps from sadness, he wasn't quite sure.

"Oh, wow," he said breathlessly. "You love him, you really love him."

Sasuke's cheeks flushed pink, and he hugged his pup to his chest in a grip that Gaara assumed must be painful, but the baby seemed perfectly calm.

"No one stood a chance," he said, but it was more of a comment to himself. "The only thing in your hearts was the other person, now it makes sense. I never understood why Naruto did the impossible to reach you, but now... God, you really love each other." For a long time, Gaara thought that Sasuke's love didn't compare to Naruto's, that the Alpha was the one who had decided all this without caring about Sasuke's opinion on the matter…

That thought sobered him up.

“Sasuke…” Gaara began again, unsure why the Omega was still there after his brief mental breakdown, but he assumed it had something to do with the small body in his arms. “I just realized I don't know anything about you… Wouldn't you like to—”

“Sasuke!” Naruto's shout made him swallow his words, both Omegas looking toward the entrance of the room, where the Alpha was running towards—

Towards his wife.

“I lost sight of you for a moment. What's wrong? Are you dizzy? Do you need water? Is it Menma—”

Sasuke placed his hand on Naruto's chest, stopping him, and with a single glance indicated that they weren't alone.

Naruto looked at him, a smile returning to his face, but he also positioned himself between them, concealing the Omega's body within his own.

"Oh, Gaara! How are you? I haven't had time to talk to you—" Gaara raised his hand, shaking his head. "No need, I'm going to see Kankuro. Kiba takes all of his common sense, and you don't want your wedding to end with the temple in flames, do you?" Gaara didn't give him time to answer, he simply turned and walked toward the entrance.

Naruto didn't follow him.

As he opened the door, pheromones hit his face. Now he remembered why he was outside, Why couldn't they control their scent? They were probably Alphas who had one too many drinks and—

"Oh, hello!" a voice called from beside him, Gaara recognized it instantly.

"Rock Lee." He greeted him, and just then, a soft melody filled the room. It seemed Temari had been right, they were going to have music.

"You know, uh, we haven't really had a chance to get to know each other well..." Gaara glanced at the Alpha's friends in the distance, who were staring intently at them. "How about a drink? Oh, you drink? Maybe you don't. Well, I don't want to assume. How about a cup of tea? I don't really like tea, but—"

Gaara smiled, and that was apparently enough to silence Rock Lee, who was looking at him with a growing blush on his cheeks.

"I'd like a drink."

It was time to move on.

"Does your head hurt? I know you don't like crowds and I thought your pack was with you, and by the way, where are they?" Naruto asked, an accusatory tone leaving his mouth. “I told them to go have fun for a while while I got some fresh air and fed Menma-”

“I want to try-”

“And then your friend Gaara showed up.” Sasuke completely ignored his words, rocking his arms so Menma could rest.

There was a moment of silence.

“He didn't say anything bad to you, did he?” Naruto asked, his face full of worry that relaxed when Sasuke shook his head.

“It was weird… But that's to be expected, no one is normal in this place.” Sasuke moved closer to Naruto, ending up with his head resting on his shoulder comfortably, the Alpha instinctively hugging his waist and letting him put all of his weight on him.

The silence is comforting, they both watch the little fruit of their love rest in Sasuke's arms, unaware that their world is full of constant danger and that his parents are the strongest people in the world right now.

Naruto kisses Sasuke's temple, delighting in the scent of his pheromones.

It felt almost like a dream, one that came true.

Sasuke raised his head, his face relaxed and free of any expression of hate or pain, just simple, pure love that now, thanks to the bond, he could feel it running through every part of his being.

“Naruto.” Sasuke murmured, looking him straight in the eyes.

He didn't say anything, it wasn't necessary, Naruto understood him, he understood everything about him, as if Sasuke had left his soul bare so he could read it.

"Oh, Sasuke, I've been looking for you." Karin's voice breaks the little bubble. “I assumed Menma would be asleep, don't you want me to hold him?” Sasuke separates from Naruto, the absence of his warmth noticeable, but he knows that at the end of the day, only he will have him alone.

A smile appears on his face.

“Where are you going?” Sasuke asks, stroking Menma's head after placing him in Karin's arms. “I think I'll go back to the classroom, I don't trust Suigetsu and Jugo to behave.” Both Omegas smiled, memories flooding their minds of times not so long ago.

When Karin was far enough away, Naruto took the Omega's waist again, beginning to kiss his face again and again and again.

“Naruto.” Sasuke incriminates, trying to push him, but it only serves to cause the Alpha to begin attacking his neck and collarbone.

Small laughs come out of both of their mouths, enjoying each other's presence.

“You are an animal.” Sasuke teased, bringing his hand to Naruto's cheek, caressing his marks gently. “For you, I will be whatever you want.” Naruto took his hand, kissing his palm and giving more attention to the finger that had his ring on it.

“Well, at least I hope that…” a soft melody began to come from the room that made them stare at the door.

Naruto then took his hand.

“Shall we dance?” He asked, his tone innocent as he brought the Omega's knuckles to his lips.

It's a slow melody, which is the perfect excuse to stick the Omega's body to his (although from now on, he won't need any excuse), both of them move to the rhythm of the music, using the entire patio as if it were their own dance floor.

They sway gently, from left to right, their suits, although uncomfortable to move in, flow with their movements and the cold night breeze. It's not professional or elegant, they didn't even rehearse any kind of dance, but their souls, intertwined with each other, didn't need to be choreographed, because they knew exactly what the other person wanted.

They look at each other, ocean and night, blue and black, the sun and the moon... So different parts that complement each other so well that they come together like final pieces in a puzzle.

Naruto lets go of his hands, grabbing his waist with both hands and then spinning several times, causing Sasuke to cling to his shoulders.

“Naruto, put me down, you idiot!” Sasuke exclaimed, but his smile was still plastered on his face.

Naruto laughs louder.

It's exciting, it's freedom, it's...

Naruto stares at Sasuke's face, time seems to go in slow motion, he can see how his smile covers his entire face, how his cheeks remain in that pink tone, how his eyes remain on him at every moment...

It’s…

“Perfect.” He says, and in a single movement, he lets Sasuke fall into his arms, the left one going under his legs to prevent him from touching the ground while the right hugs him against his face, where he presses his lips against the Omega's in a romantic and loving kiss. Sasuke puts his arms behind his neck, deepening the connection between their lips.

There is applause behind them, but Naruto doesn't hear it, he simply rejoices at his wife's lips, from today... until eternity.

“An eternity…” He murmured, breaking away to look him straight in the eyes.

“Your soul and mine.” Sasuke answers.

"Always." Both of them finish.

That's enough.