CHAPTER 17: A Special Place

"Hurry up, teme! We're going to be late, dattebayo!"

Naruto screamed at the raven, who was taking his own sweet time to get on the bike.

"The helmet, dobe."

"Leave it for today. It's not like we are going very far."

Naruto said so, but that wasn't the real reason. He had planned something for today, and if that somehow worked out, then the helmets were just going to be in the way.

'I'm gonna have to hug him again? That too without hiding my face? This won't end well...'

Sasuke sighed and took his seat behind his sun. He wrapped his hands gently around Naruto's broad frame and was waiting for the ride to start when Naruto spoke up.

"Ne, Sasuke."

"Hn?"

"Can I suggest something?"

Naruto asked, unsure of why he was going to do it or if it was even right to do it. But since he was Naruto, he would always listen to his heart.

"Hn."

"Well, do you want to sit in front?"

Naruto asked hesitantly and chuckled sheepishly.

"Why? You wanna sit at the back?"

Sasuke questioned, clueless of Naruto's intentions.

"N-No, that's not what I meant."

"Then?"

"Well, you know, like you sit in front of me while facing me...?"

Naruto said and was waiting for Sasuke to smack him, but unknown to the blond boy, Sasuke was actually flustered and was contemplating the possibility of it happening.

'Why does he want me to do that? Am I his boyfriend or what?! Though I don't mind it...'

He couldn't wrap his head around the entire situation, but, for once, he wanted to do something for his crush that was out of his comfort zone. The fact that he got to admire Naruto's features up close was a bonus.

Naruto was about to back off due to the silent treatment he thought Sasuke was giving him, but before he could, he got a reply he didn't know he was waiting so desperately for.

"O-OK."

"Huh? What? So you'll do it?!"

"Hn."

Naruto did not expect Sasuke to actually go along with it. He was surprised that the raven didn't deny his childish request.

'Shit... He actually agreed! I'm gonna scratch that from my bucket list now!'

Naruto was overflowing with pride as he smiled like an idiot. After all, he had just gotten the coldest Uchiha out there to ride a bike with him in the "girlfriend position."

"So, what are you waiting for?"

Naruto motioned for Sasuke to climb on as Sasuke did so before adjusting himself in a comfortable position in front of the Uzumaki.

He then looked up, and his eyes fell upon the angelic face of the man he had spent hours doting on. This was the first time he had gotten so close to the face he loved. His cheeks turned bright red, and his heart almost exploded out of his chest.

'If I were half as extroverted as Naruto, I would've just kissed him right here...'

Sasuke thought as he subconsciously licked his lips slightly at the sight of the blond's lips. They looked like the world's most delicious delicacy to him.

"Teme! Stop fantasizing about my lips and hold me tight, or else you'll fall down."

Naruto said, snapping Sasuke back to reality, who turned even redder, if that was possible.

Naruto had caught Sasuke staring at his lips and licking his own. Sasuke's lips were plump and pink. They were perfectly kissable in Naruto's eyes. He would be lying if he said he wasn't attracted to them. However, he didn't expect Sasuke to lick his own lips while staring at his. He never knew he could be mesmerized just by the sight of like this.

'How is he still single?'

Naruto mentally scoffed as he remembered Sasuke telling him that he had never dated anyone.

Naruto was brought back from his thoughts by the soft touch he felt near his waist. He looked down only to see Sasuke's hands grabbing onto him ever so gently.

He smirked at the raven, who was looking to the side and shying away from the situation he was in. He leaned down to Sasuke's ear and softly whispered,

"You gotta hold tighter than that, princess."

He couldn't help but tease the youngest Uchiha. Sasuke felt another wave of heat rise within him. He glared at the blond after Naruto had backed off from near him.

"I am getting off."

"NO! I am sorry! Please, let's go. It's already late."

Naruto hurriedly apologized, afraid that Sasuke might actually get off. He quickly took off for the place they had decided to hang out at today.

That place was especially personal to Naruto since the owner of the place was the only person who had never seen Naruto with any grudge when he was young and had fed the boy when his bullies would take away his lunch. Naruto was taking Sasuke to Ichiraku's.

*TIME SKIP* OUTSIDE ICHIRAKU'S~

'I can't believe I was hugging Naruto from the front for twelve minutes straight!'

Sasuke thought as they were walking towards the restaurant after parking the bike.

"Teme, I told you to hold on tight, but you almost pulled my neck off!"

Naruto spoke as he massaged his neck slightly. Sasuke had shifted his hands from his waist to his neck midway as he was scared of falling over, but he had held the blond a little too strongly.

"It wasn't my idea to make a noob ride a bike backwards."

Sasuke shrugged and hurriedly entered the building, avoiding showing his blush to Naruto. Naruto scoffed at his words and soon followed him.

'Well, I can't blame you... I did speed up on purpose. Heh.'

Naruto smirked internally. He had somehow developed a hobby of teasing Sasuke, which, to Sasuke, was proving to be extremely dangerous for his poor heart.

"Heya Naruto, ma boy! You're here in the evening today- Oh, you've brought someone with you! Hello, there, the name's Ichiraku Teuchi!"

A very excited man in his forties greeted them. Naruto's eyebrows twitched as Sasuke introduced himself in his 'Uchiha' tone.

"Hello, I am Uchiha Sasuke, Naruto's friend."

Teuchi smiled at the raven-haired boy and then looked at Naruto, who was still looking at Teuchi with a look of defeat.

"What happened, Naruto boy?"

"Nothing. Anyways, what will you have, Sasuke?"

"You decide."

"OK, in that case, the usual order for me and two bowls for him!"

Naruto placed the order, excited for their first meal together at this place.

"What was that?"

Sasuke questioned, as he had noticed Naruto looking at Teuchi strangely.

"Well, you see, he wasn't always like this. He used to be a sweet and soft-spoken person. He is still sweet, don't get me wrong, but he was recently very inspired by this rapper and started behaving like him. He goes by the name of Killer B."

Naruto explained with a defeated sigh. Sasuke couldn't help the giggle that escaped him.

'This guy will be the death of me...'

They were talking about the movies they had seen together at Kiba's place when Teuchi brought out six bowls of miso pork ramen. The aroma of the freshly prepared ramen, lingering in the air, did not fail to leave an impression on Sasuke.

Naruto's mouth had already started watering from just the odor of it, as usual.

"Here you go, boys!"

Teuchi said as he placed the trays on the counter, leaving the two to enjoy their meal.

"Itadakimasu!"

Naruto shouted as he clasped his hands, and within the next few seconds, he had downed one bowl of ramen.

"Mmm~ Eating fresh ramen hits different, dattebayo!"

Sasuke looked at the boy in amazement.

'How can he eat so fast? Doesn't it feel hot?'

He wondered and stared at Naruto dumbfounded. Naruto noticed this and motioned for Sasuke to eat.

Sasuke took his time eating the delicacy, whereas Naruto swallowed the portions of ramen (in Sasuke's opinion).

Halfway through eating, Sasuke couldn't hold back his curiosity and finally asked,

"How do you know the owner of the place?"

"You mean Teuchi-san?"

"Hn."

"Well, you see, my bullies always used to throw my bentos away, and the only meal I got after that was at home in the evening. So one day, I was starving from hunger, and those damned pieces of shit had fed my food to the cats nearby. So I wandered outside the school for a little while when I saw this place. I just stood by the entrance, watching him knead the dough. He even did some awesome tricks with it, dattebayo! I was about to leave because the sight wasn't helping, but he saw me. He called me in and fed me some miso ramen. FOR FREE! The taste was simply addictive, so I started coming here often. Teuchi-san has practically seen me grow, dattebayo!"

Naruto explained as his eyes sparkled, remembering how it felt when he tasted miso ramen for the first time.

Sasuke's lips tugged into a small smile as he adored the blond infront of him.

'He is too precious...'

Sasuke nodded as they went back to eating their meal. Sasuke took his time with the delicacy, whereas Naruto practically swallowed four portions of ramen (in Sasuke's opinion).

"Teme, you eat like a sloth. What's wrong with you?"

Naruto teased Sasuke as he saw him struggling to finish the second bowl.

"I don't have a void in me, unlike you. I have a full-fledged stomach that doesn't need more than a bowl of it," Sasuke reasoned.

Naruto heartily laughed at his reply, and Sasuke was in love with it. The sound of Naruto's laughter was like music to his ears.

"Do you want me to finish it for you?"

Naruto asked, pointing at the unfinished ramen. Sasuke just nodded and slid the bowl to him, forgetting to remove his used chopsticks and spoon from it. He quickly realized his mistake and was about to remove them when he saw that Naruto had already started eating with them.

'Those are used ones, dobe! Why are you using my chopsticks? You shouldn't do that! That's considered an indirect kiss... UGH! SASUKE!!'

Sasuke blushed and looked away. His thoughts were a mess, and he did not look at Naruto before he heard him call out his name.

"Ne, Sasuke?"

"Hn?"

"I challenge you!"

This immediately caught his attention. Sasuke smirked and raised his eyebrow. Naruto knew what that meant. It meant that Sasuke was interested.

"Well, beat me in eating ramen!"

"What if I win?"

"Then I'll do anything for ya, dattebayo! And if I win, then you do me a favor. How's that?"

Sasuke was smart enough to know that Naruto was playing him. It was obvious that he had no chance against the ramen-eating beast. So he made a move to save his ass in the future. After all, they both did not know how to back out.

"Fine. But let me challenge you too."

"Done! So what are the terms?"

"The winner is allowed to refuse the favor."

"Hmm, this is interesting, dattebayo! So what's the challenge?"

"Beat me in eating raw tomatoes."

Naruto looked at Sasuke with disgust and disbelief. He definitely did not see that coming.

"You played me, TEME!"

"And you didn't?"

Sasuke's sass knew no bounds. He saw the disappointed look Naruto made. A smile crept its way onto his face as the blond whined, saying that Sasuke was being unfair and that he was too cruel.

"Alright, stop whining, dobe. I can't believe you're my sensei."

"Hey, where did that come from?! Anyways, please, I really want you to do something for me. Pretty please~"

Naruto dragged the last part and looked at Sasuke with eyes that were begging him to listen to his request.

"Fine. Tell me."

Naruto grinned in his signature style and said,

"Well, it's my birthday on the 10th, and we'll be partying at my place. Will you join us?"

Sasuke looked at Naruto with disbelief.

'This dude wants me to come to his house as a favor...?'

He didn't have to think twice. He obviously was going.

"Hn, dobe."

"Wow, really?"

"Why would I deny free food and booze?"

"Hey, that's mean, dattebayo!"

"Hn, whatever."

They talked for a few more minutes before deciding to head home. Sasuke sat at the back this time because Naruto's neck was already strained enough for the day.

They bid each other farewell and parted ways at the school gates. Sasuke began his walk home after watching Naruto leave.

'I am in so deep...'

He walked under the orange glow of the setting sun. The birds that had been chirping in the morning were now retreating back to their nests, their homes. The wind was cold, but the warmth of Naruto's body had not dissipated yet. There were no cars honking around; it was all calm and quiet.

'It's so peaceful here..'

He thought as his pace slowed. He didn't want to leave this calmness behind. He was scared to return to that hell called home.

Who's to say? This might very well be the calm before the storm.

A/N: Phew! The hard work is starting to pay off! I am currently very happy with how the book is going. ヽ(●´ε｀●)ノI really hope you all like this chapter as well. Also, do you think this is the calm before a storm? Or is it just a false alarm?Anyways, see you all in the next chapter!Author sound out ~ ✌🏻