CHAPTER 45: A Normal Day

A/N: Hey people~ My hand is healing well enough for now, but it's still got a long way to go . 😅Anyway, the chapter is right here for you!(≧∇≦)b

A FEW DAYS LATER~

Sasuke's birthday passed in a blur, and a few more days followed. The raven hadn't done anything extraordinary on his special day, yet it hadn't been ordinary at all.

The reason? Naruto. Of course.

He had spent the day doing little things he could to make the raven feel special. They watched a movie that ended with them cuddling on the bed instead. Naruto had gone as far as eating, not ramen, but healthy food to make the raven happy.

Since Sasuke wasn't a fan of parties, Naruto had invited the Uchiha family over for dinner in the evening. They sat and talked things out, serious or not. They discussed their future plans, just like they always had back in those days whenever the Uchihas sat together for dinner (which was a rare occasion), but this time, without the overwhelming presence of Fugaku.

Eventually, the dinner had been enjoyable for the raven, and that's all Naruto had wanted. From that day onwards, Naruto vowed to make each of Sasuke's days feel like it was his birthday.

And, needless to say, every morning that followed began with warmth, and every night that came was drenched in care; a mere whisper of the happiness Naruto wanted to etch in Sasuke's life.

Even today, the blonde hadn't failed to stick to the promise he'd made to himself many times over. He stood beside the raven right before the school's gate. Sasuke had decided to finally start his classes again.

"You sure about this, Sasuke?"

Naruto asked in a skeptical voice. The news of the incident hadn't died down. If anything, it had blown up to yet another level, which was why Naruto was worried.

It wasn't that he didn't think Sasuke could handle it, but he knew how oppressive it was to be the talk of the town from experience.

"Yes. I... want to face my past head-on this time."

'So I can start a new, better life without any fear or regrets.'

The young Uchiha drew a deep breath, bracing himself for the day ahead. His gaze fell to the scarf Naruto had given him, draped around his neck warmly, shielding him from the wind. But it was more than just fabric. It carried Naruto's comforting presence through every thread, a reminder of their bond that had stood against many obstacles, and that they would face this one together like always.

He was done living in the shadows. It was time to step forward, unafraid.

Naruto's gaze followed Sasuke's, his heart melting at the sight of the scarf. He looked back up and noticed the nervousness that lingered in those eyes despite the mask of courage Sasuke had worn. A small, understanding smile appeared on the blonde's whiskered face as he slowly took the Uchiha's hand and squeezed it reassuringly.

"Then, let's go, dattebayo."

He smiled wider to motivate Sasuke, promising his support through his gaze. The raven squeezed his hand back, and the two reluctantly let go before stepping through the gates. Naruto wanted to hold onto that soft, pale hand a while longer but remembered the deal they had made at the start: to respect each other's boundaries within school.

A huff escaped his lips as he followed Sasuke, pouting internally.

He followed from a distance, observing how the students around were giving Sasuke unusual looks. The blonde subconsciously glared at each one of them as he passed by, causing them to look away quickly.

After all, they had gotten used to his constantly smiling face, which was why the passive aggression in those staring cyan orbs almost sent a shiver down their spines.

Naruto tailed him until the Uchiha reached his class. The blonde stood there, pretending to skim through his phone while keeping a watch on Sasuke from outside the classroom. He wanted to make sure no one would trouble him.

Sasuke steeled himself once more before entering the classroom, earning the attention of the entire class. He was uncomfortable, and Naruto knew it by his expression. The blonde's jaw clenched. He was ready to barge in and direct the attention to himself if anyone made even the slightest move to make his man more uneasy than he already was.

However, to his surprise, that need never arose.

Sasuke walked over to his desk as the others' eyes followed him, but no one asked any questions. In fact, their glances were not so much full of contempt as they had been every time before today, as if they suddenly understood why the raven was the way he had been in the past. And to avoid making it awkward for the Uchiha, they slowly went back to what they had been doing before his arrival.

Naruto watched Sasuke relax in his place and let out a breath he didn't know he had been holding. He stood there a while longer before finally going to Tsunade's office to report.

He wasn't sure how the raven would hold out today, but he trusted himself to go to his man's aid when need be.

Sasuke, unaware of Naruto's protective stance towards him, was ready to start his day ordinarily by putting his head down as usual when Sakura walked over to him. This time, it wasn't the usual confident gait with which she walked. She looked timid and nervous by the way her hands fidgeted.

"Sasuke-kun... how are you?"

Her voice was small and almost trembling, causing Sasuke's eyebrow to arch.

"Hn. What do you want?"

Sasuke's tone was firm but not impolite this time.

"Uhm... happy birthday. Though it's been a few days..."

Sakura said, avoiding the main issue. Sasuke grunted softly in acknowledgment. When Sakura didn't go back after a while, he looked up at her and sighed.

"Just say it."

"Uh... all I want to say is I... I'm sorry."

She whispered her apology, her eyes filled with unshed tears while her face was laced with genuine remorse, which was hard to miss.

"For what?"

Sasuke asked skeptically.

"For everything... for troubling you with my silly confessions and a- annoying you... and also for clicking that picture... It's what got you into trouble, i- isn't it?"

Sasuke realized that she had kept up with the news well and was oddly glad that she was talking to him normally for once.

"It's fine."

"Y- You sure?"

"Hn."

"So... uh... friends?"

She held her hand out reluctantly as if expecting the raven to dismiss it. Unexpectedly, Sasuke took her hand and shook it lightly in polite acceptance.

"Hn. Friends..."

The word still sounded foreign to him, but that didn't stop him from making yet another friend. Sakura had been annoyingly persistent with her "crush" on him, but she had her own perks as well.

Sasuke's actions brought a smile to Sakura's face, and she practically skipped back to her seat beside Ino. He watched them closely, noticing how the air between the two best friends had grown more intimate during his absence. A small smile made its way to his lips.

'They look good together.'

He finally laid his head on his desk, waiting for the lesson to start. Unfortunately, it was chemistry.

Sasuke managed to get through today's torturous lessons just fine. It was just him, his thoughts, and books. Maybe he wasn't a hermit crab after all and could enjoy the time spent among people, even if he didn't talk much.

The classes felt shorter than before, and soon, it was time for lunch. Sasuke was about to enter the canteen when a thought struck his mind, making him change his destination from there to the teacher's lounge. He waited for a teacher to pass by, sending a message through them to Kakashi.

"Yare yare, look who we have here."

The silver-haired man walked out after a few minutes, and despite his casual tone, he made sure to look out for any signs of pain or discomfort in the raven.

"Hn."

"How have you been, Sasuke?"

"Good. Better, actually."

Kakashi nodded in relief.

"So, to what do I owe this esteemed visit?"

"I wanted to say... thanks, sensei."

"Eh? B- But why?"

Kakashi's initial sarcasm faded as his words stumbled. He was utterly surprised. Sasuke had just thanked him, and on top of that, he had called him 'sensei'! He was half convinced that the raven wasn't out of his mental shock yet.

"You know, with Fugaku, I never knew what a father actually was... because he sure wasn't one to me. But... that's not the case anymore. For me... a father is someone who had my back when I was fighting my hardest battles... without asking for anything in return. And it's you who made me realize it. That's why, thank you, sensei."

Kakashi's surprise morphed into a soft smile at those words. His hand subconsciously reached out to shuffle the raven's hair.

"Such mature words from a young kid. Heh, you've really grown up, haven't you?"

Sasuke smiled at those words as he let the man ruffle his hair. It wasn't only Kakashi who could feel the change, but he himself.

The raven finally headed for lunch after talking for a few more minutes. For the first time, he was going to try the canteen food because he no longer had to save his lunch money for art supplies like before. He stood in queue like any other kid, filled his plate with food, and sat at an empty table.

He didn't want to join anyone because everyone had their friend circles, and it would have been too awkward for him to suddenly be a part of them.

He had only taken the first bite, enjoying the foreign taste when, unexpectedly, Kiba came up to him and sat before him. Sasuke blinked in surprise, his food momentarily forgotten.

"Kiba..."

"Yo. Surprised?"

Sasuke nodded, earning a little sigh from Kiba.

"Of course you are. You see, I did find you annoying before, and I said some things to you as well... but you turned out to be a nice guy. So... yeah."

Kiba's smile was friendly, earning an understanding nod from the raven. The two went back to their food, having minimal conversation but sitting in comfortable silence.

And Naruto, who had come to check on his man, didn't miss the scene. He was more than happy to watch the raven socialize. While he wasn't expecting Kiba to care enough to join Sasuke, his actions had only reminded Naruto why he had befriended him in the first place.

The blonde left as quietly as he had arrived, satisfied that the Uchiha was doing better than he had expected.

'Heh, it's like him to exceed expectations.'

-×-×-×-

Lunch passed soon, and so did the rest of the school day.

When Sasuke stepped out of the gate, he found Naruto waiting for him in the parking lot with a small smile, which made the raven's heart skip a beat. He walked over to the blonde, still having a hard time believing that this was his man, his boyfriend.

"So, how did school treat you today?"

Naruto asked despite knowing the answer all too well.

"It was fine. You?"

"Amazing, dattebayo. Tired?"

"A little."

Naruto reached out to take Sasuke's hand and pulled the raven close until the two were merely an inch apart.

"Then let's go home."

His murmur was soft yet sure as he stroked the raven's pale wrist lovingly.

"I'll take care of you."

Sasuke was extremely tempted to accept the offer, if not for his promise to Naruto. He had promised the blonde to show him his art studio at Suigetsu's.

"But I really want to show you my studio..."

Sasuke reasoned, and though Naruto insisted that they could simply postpone it, he just couldn't help but give in to this stubborn man who wasn't about to let go of this topic before getting what he wanted.

"*sigh* OK, let's go. But after that, we go straight back home."

"Hn."

And so the two rode to Suigetsu's junkyard, which wasn't far from school. They had planned to keep the trip short.

When they arrived, Suigetsu, unlike his usually cool self, immediately hugged the life out of Sasuke. The man had been worried, and he received a detailed report of the past few days from the raven.

He had been concerned about his friend since the day the news had aired on TV. Now, he was just glad Sasuke was doing well and that the blonde and he were finally dating.

Suigetsu guided them to his junkyard, letting the two into the shabby cabin, aka Sasuke's art studio. He left the two lovebirds alone, knowing better than to interfere in their private moment.

"So, this is where you create your masterpieces?"

"Yeah... I'm planning to come here more often now."

"I'll be tagging along often, then. Don't expect to get rid of me so soon!"

Naruto chuckled as he looked around, amazed at how colorful the room was. Vibrant paint was sprinkled here and there, canvases were stacked on the side, and a palette or two were lying around. As messy as it looked, it really was an artistic paradise.

"Oh? Is that me again?"

Naruto crossed the room to have a closer look at a canvas on the easel.

"Hn. I painted this earlier."

Naruto nodded in acknowledgement as he observed how beautifully the raven had managed to capture his own cyan eye.

"You're really good at this, dattebayo."

"Thanks... you want it?"

Naruto's eyes shone instantly at the offer. Just when he was about to accept it, a thought suddenly crossed his mind.

"Actually, can you paint something else for me?"

Sasuke nodded, intrigued and slightly excited at the thought of painting for this man.

"What do you want me to paint for you?"

Naruto didn't speak; instead, he turned around and walked over to Sasuke. His large palms cupped the pale face of his lover as he grinned.

"Can you... make me a painting of yourself?"

"M- myself?"

"Yes."

Naruto's thumbs stroked his cheeks, his touch making Sasuke feel almost feverish. The blonde's request, coupled with his warm touch, was officially the raven's undoing.

"O- ok."

The soft word earned Sasuke a peck on the lips.

"I'll be waiting, dattebayo."

Naruto spent his time appreciating Sasuke's work, with not one piece failing to mesmerize him. Sasuke, meanwhile, felt acknowledged like never before. Needing someone's validation wasn't the best approach, but it wasn't his fault that his life had revolved around it. Now that someone was finally respecting his talent and hard work, he felt... relieved.

Naruto's appreciation had basically confirmed for Sasuke that he was on the right track and that all his sacrifices were worth it.

Not long after strolling in the makeshift studio, the two left the place after bidding Suigetsu farewell and headed back home.

Upon reaching, Naruto removed his shoes and headed straight for bed. He plopped down on it and opened his arms for Sasuke. Kurama ignored them.

"What?"

"Let's cuddle, teme."

"... huh?"

"I wanna cuddle."

"..."

Sasuke was speechless. He had never been asked for cuddles directly. Of course not; it was his first relationship. The raven blushed as he moved to lie down close to the blonde. He crawled closer to Naruto before settling in his arms.

"You've become touchy these days."

Sasuke noted loudly, not that he minded. He let the blonde wrap his arms around his midriff.

"Mhm."

'I just can't seem to keep my hands off you, dattebayo.'

Naruto pulled Sasuke even closer, resting his chin atop the raven's head. If Sasuke hadn't been an utter mess before, he sure was now.

'This dobe... how can someone affect me this much? I still don't understand.'

Which was right. The urge to cuddle Naruto back was so strong in him that his arm had subconsciously wrapped itself around the blonde.

The two lay in the warm cocoon of each other's embrace as the sun began casting a warm orange light through the bedroom window.

"I wish I could live like this forever... without walking on eggshells... and with the people I hold dear."

Sasuke unintentionally thought out loud, his voice carrying the pain from his past and a hope for his future with a subtle strength in the present.

"After tomorrow's hearing, there will be nothing stopping you, Sasuke."

Naruto reaffirmed as he pulled away slightly to look at him, reminding him of the important event tomorrow. The weight of those words slowly settled on Sasuke, who silently suffered from the flood of questions invading him.

'Is it really ending?'

'Moving forward... will my life really be as normal as it was today? I hope...'

'My father... how long will he be jailed for?'

'What if he comes back for me?'

The list was never-ending. He wanted to ask each question aloud, but he didn't know where to begin. All he could do was look up at Naruto and try his best to convey each word through the depth of his eyes. And so he did.

Their eyes met, and Naruto's blue orbs studied Sasuke's carefully before they sparkled with a reassuring gaze in reply. He smiled and placed a soft kiss on the raven's tempting lips, yet the kiss was as chaste as it could be.

"Just one more day, Sasuke."

Sasuke nodded understandingly as he closed his eyes and snuggled closer to Naruto, as if trying to hide in his being. The blonde stroked his head tenderly, occasionally threading his fingers through those dark, silky locks.

'Just one more day, love. Then it'll all be over.'

A/N: And that's it for today! I felt oddly at peace while writing this chapter because the two were finally able to blend into normality, even if it was just for a day. 🤎💙They've suffered a lot. And so have you people with them! 😭Anyway, see you all in the next chapter! Author sound out~ ✌🏻