CHAPTER 14: Moments

A/N: Hellooo~ all!So this chapter will mainly focus on their bonding and a little bit of Sasuke simping over Naruto. I hope you enjoy it! (*＾3＾)/～☆

A FEW DAYS LATER~

Having tasted the sweet elixir of freedom, Sasuke was practically addicted to it now. Ever since that day, he spent evenings with Naruto in places like karaoke, the arcade, or a cafe. They met every other day as Sasuke had to accommodate Orochimaru's lessons as well.

Their lunchtime together was almost a part of Sasuke's timetable. They were sometimes joined by Kiba, Shikamaru, and Suigetsu in their ventures, but it was mostly just the two of them.

When with his blonde sensei, he was able to stay truer to his real self. He could take a break from constantly acting like an 'ideal Uchiha'. He felt free, like a bird.

Most importantly, he wasn't lonely anymore. His mother was always out of the country because of her work. She was seldom at home (the day when Sasuke first met Naruto was one of the times). As for his brother, Itachi, he lived in a different city with his husband, Deidara. Hence, Sasuke was always alone.

But now, he had a friend who laughed with him, spared time for him, ate with him, and cherished him. He had someone who knew what was hidden behind his obnoxious mask, and that was enough.

Sasuke loved spending time with Naruto so much that he lied to his father on a regular basis.

"I have to go and study with my classmates. I am trying out group studies to improve my social skills. I have a lot to work on in this field, so..."

On and on, he would go, explaining the perks of group study sessions. Fugaku, being extremely invested in his work, couldn't care less about what Sasuke was ranting about and just let him be, as long as Sasuke came back before suppertime.

Sasuke knew that one day he would get caught and beaten to death for lying, but he didn't care. The memories Naruto gave him were nothing compared to the constant pain he was already used to living with.

Today was another such day. Naruto had invited Sasuke over to his house for the first time.

'I'll be going to his house...!'

Stoic on the outside, the Uchiha was actually panicking inside. He picked up his bag, checked his outfit for the fifth and final time, and marched downstairs into his father's office.

'You've got this, Sasuke.'

He breathed out and opened the door with shivering hands. He had been lying to his father for quite a few days, but he was still not used to it.

"Good afternoon, Father. I have to go for my group stu-"

"Tsk, don't disturb me. You can die in a ditch for all I care."

Fugaku spoke in his coldest voice, sending chills down Sasuke's spine. Sasuke gulped and nodded slightly before bidding his father goodbye.

He strode leisurely towards the school. Upon reaching it, he found Naruto standing near the gates, leaning on his bike. He was wearing blue jeans below a burnt orange sweatshirt, which somehow made his chest look even wider. His tan skin glowed in the sun, and his blue eyes reflected the abyss of the clear sky.

'He is so beautiful... beauty itself would feel shy in front of him.'

He smiled to himself and walked over to the tan beauty.

"Dobe."

"Oh! Teme! You sure took your time, huh?"

Naruto said with a smirk. His eyes roamed over the raven's outfit. He wore a simple black hoodie with black skinny jeans. A silver stud hanging down his earlobe was the only flashy item.

'Minimalist and elegant... you're full of surprises, Sasuke. Are you even allowed to look this captivating in such simple clothes?'

Naruto was truly mesmerized by him every time. He handed Sasuke an extra helmet that he always carried around and put on his own. He seated himself comfortably and kick-started his bike.

"What are you waiting for?"

Naruto's voice was muffled due to the sound of the bike and the helmet covering his mouth. Sasuke sat behind Naruto, and then he paused. After a long moment, he blushed furiously.

'Am I supposed to hold his waist...? No no no no I CAN'T DO THAT!! He'll think of me as a pervert. I'll just hold his shoulders... NO! He'll lean forward since it's a sports bike, so I'll have to lean with him to keep myself stable, and I'll touch his entire back... No, not happening. Well then... the sides of the seat it is!'

Sasuke grabbed the sides tightly, but Naruto noticed it.

"What, are you not going to hold me? You wanna fall and scrape that pretty ass?"

Naruto said as he turned around. Sasuke was so thankful that he had his helmet on, or Naruto would've been blessed with a view of a very red Sasuke, whose eyes went as wide as a doe's.

"Naruto! That—"

"Oh, come on!"

Naruto spoke in mock frustration. He held both of Sasuke's hands and draped them around his waist. Sasuke reluctantly let himself hold on to it.

"Hold on tight!"

Was the only warning Naruto gave him, and before Sasuke could process it, Naruto slid his shield down and began speeding down the streets recklessly.

Sasuke's grip immediately tightened around Naruto's waist. However, unlike his brain, his heart enjoyed the thrill that came with the rash ride.

'This is... so cool! The air feels nice and cold..'

Sasuke was enjoying the speed. He closed his eyes and captured the moment in his memory.

'My hands are on his waist... I am hugging him from behind... The air feels so thick around me due to the speed. Him and I, racing together against the winds... how romantic- WHAT THE FUCK, SASUKE?!'

Sasuke had lost his ability to think sanely, and unknown to him, Naruto was smiling, cherishing this moment equally.

'His hands feel just right around me... Should I make him sit in the front facing me next time?'

Naruto stopped in front of an apartment building, and Sasuke got off as Naruto parked his bike.

"So... here we are! Welcome to my house, Sasuke."

Naruto said as they walked up the stairs, taking off their helmets along the way. They walked down the aisle of the first floor and stopped in front of a somewhat run-down apartment.

"Is this the apartment of the Hokage's son?"

Sasuke raised an eyebrow.

"Hehe... you see, I wanted to start from the scratch. I want to reach the top on my own and become the Hokage one day, dattebayo!"

Naruto stated proudly, with a wide grin. Sasuke's eyes softened upon seeing Naruto so giddy.

'He's my sensei... pfft! How cute. Wait... ugh!! No, I did NOT just think that! Technically, I did, but I DID NOT! Hah...'

Sasuke mentally sighed and walked into the apartment as Naruto let him in. Naruto left for some urgent work, telling Sasuke to wait for him.

Naruto was taking too long, so Sasuke decided to take a look around his apartment. He tried checking his cabinets and fridge for food, only to find tons of instant ramen packets and a pack of expired milk.

'Does he smuggle ramen or something?'

He closed the cabinets and decided to scan the photos hung on the tattered wall. There were two pictures that caught his eye.

One was a family picture, as Sasuke recognized Namikaze Minato, the Hokage, who was standing beside an elegant red-haired lady. They were holding a little Naruto in their hands, who looked absolutely adorable without even trying.

The second was of what seemed like Naruto's friend circle when he was at Konoha High. His eyes landed on a particularly captivating man with skin paler than his own and ebony eyes similar to his. He was standing beside Naruto, and they both seemed more intimate than the rest of the group.

'Who is he? What is his relationship with Naruto?'

Sasuke felt his stomach drop as his brain kept analyzing the picture. He knew what relationship the two were sharing, or had shared, but his heart was refusing to accept it.

'What is this feeling? Anger? Sadness? Don't tell me... jealousy?!'

Sasuke was figuring it all out in his head when he was interrupted by the sound of the door creaking open. He turned his head in the direction of the door and saw Naruto walk in like a deity, but with an orange furry ball in his hands. Sasuke eyed the fluffy object keenly. Naruto noticed this and quickly introduced his pet to his new, umm... friend.

"Oh! I didn't introduce you guys. Sasuke, this is Kurama, my pet fox! It has nine tails since it is a hybrid. I just brought him from my mother's clinic. Kurama, this is Sasuke, my newest and bestest friend!"

"Your mother is a vet?"

"Yea!! She loves animals and is the most renowned vet in Konoha, dattebayo!"

"Hn. Also, bestest is not a word, dobe"

Sasuke corrected Naruto who just pouted in response.

Sasuke observed the creature in Naruto's hands when it suddenly hissed at him, not welcoming the new presence at all. Sasuke made an annoyed expression, and soon they were bickering without words.

Naruto found their interaction rather cute.

'He can be such a child at times.'

Naruto thought as he eyed the raven. He set down his fox, who kept Sasuke busy while he cooked two packets of ramen.

They settled down on the sofa as Kurama sat beside Naruto's foot. They played checkers as they slurped on their ramen, and without any foul play, Sasuke emerged as the winner each time.

"How are you even doing that?! You're using black magic! It's cheating!"

Naruto spoke, frustrated that he couldn't win even one of the fifteen rounds they had played.

"Dobe, you are an amateur at this."

Sasuke replied cockily with a smirk.

"Teme... When I buy a PlayStation with my own money, I'll beat you for sure, dattebayo! Just you wait!"

"Let's see you try that."

Sasuke's another cocky reply was all it took for Naruto to spring upon the smaller raven and tackle him onto the sofa. He tickled Sasuke's feet since he remembered it from earlier.

"AHAHAHA- NARUTO! PLE- HAAHAAHAA-"

Naruto stopped after a while and dismounted. Sasuke glared at Naruto for a long minute and suddenly chuckled at the worried expression on Naruto's face.

"Oi! You had me worried back there, dattebayo. I thought I did something wrong."

Naruto confessed, relieved that wasn't the case.

"No, dobe. Even I can tease you sometimes, you know?"

They talked about silly little things. Sasuke found himself admiring the blonde yet again. His chiseled features and whiskers, paired with his raspy voice, always managed to blow Sasuke's mind.

"How did you get these marks?"

Sasuke suddenly questioned as his hand automatically traveled to Naruto's cheeks. He gently stroked his whiskers subconsciously with his fingers. Naruto slightly flinched at the sudden contact and looked at Sasuke, his dark eyes growing with genuine curiosity.

'His eyes...'

'These eyes remind you of me, don't they?'

Naruto heard Sai's voice echo in his head.

'No, I can't let this continue.'

Naruto panicked a little and swatted away Sasuke's hand with more force than necessary. Sasuke was taken aback by this, but then he realized it was his mistake initially.

"O- Oh, sorry."

"No, it's fine. I am sorry. Are you hurt?"

"No."

"OK, that's good. These are just birth marks, by the way."

"Hn."

'I didn't want to make him uncomfortable. Shit. I should change the topic.'

Sasuke thought and ultimately proceeded with his plan.

"*coughs* So, Naruto?"

"Yea?"

"I wanna know more about you. I mean, your past, if it's ok with you."

Naruto didn't expect Sasuke to be this straightforward. He contemplated for a while before answering,

"Oh... Well, you know a part of it already. Remember I told you how my life was as a small kid on the rooftop?"

"Hn."

"So that was just the beginning of my story, dattebayo. A lot more happened in my junior and senior years."

Naruto spoke as he delved into his past memories.

A/N: And here we go! Another chapter done! Thank you all to those who have read my work this far, and please continue reading it and supporting it! 🙇🏻‍♀️Also, I will soon be writing a Todobakudeku book, so please check that out too once it's up! (　＾▽＾)Anyways, see you all in the next chapter!Author sound out ~ ✌🏻