take me home

It had been two years since Naruto had last seen Sasuke. Two whole years. Naruto was almost 30 now! Time shot by so quickly. Sasuke had written him letters, of course, but it was never the same as seeing him in person.

Sasuke had been busy roaming the country and observing potential threats—it was a long term mission, but Naruto hadn’t realised just how long. And Naruto, well, he was still learning everything about his future role as Hokage. A future role that he was no longer so certain he even wanted to step up to. It had been his one dream, his whole life, but with all the events that had transpired in Konoha, Naruto couldn’t whole-heartedly embrace the Hokage position as he once would’ve.

Naruto often thought of Sasuke, more than he would ever admit. But it was brought on that day specifically as he was tasked with the same genin-ranked missions he, Sasuke, and Sakura had been given as kids. When Naruto had asked about it, Kakashi had cited some lame excuse about building rapport with the people, nevermind the fact that Naruto had long since established a healthy rapport with the people of Konoha after everything over the last decade and a half. But Kakashi was too engrossed in his erotic novels to acknowledge Naruto’s skepticism. Naruto had no idea how Kakashi got away with reading those novels now that he was Hokage.

In any case, Naruto had just huffed and got on with the tasks. He had already completed two of the three missions; the first one he had to walk somebody’s dog and the second one he had to pick up litter. As for the third one, that was picking weeds in the outskirts of Konoha.

He busied himself putting on a pair of gardening gloves but almost jumped when he saw another person in his periphery. They were bent over, also picking weeds, but their face was blocked by the large straw gardening hat they were wearing.

Once Naruto’s gloves were on, he surveyed the garden. He would be here for a while, if the amount of weeds left to pull were any indication. Nevertheless, he turned to the person, presuming this was their garden.

“Hi there! I was assigned to pull weeds out here. Is there anywhere in particular—”

“Naruto?”

Naruto froze. He knew that voice. It couldn’t be? Could it? No, surely not. That man was out roaming the country, dealing with god knows what.

But his doubts were put to rest when the person stood up tall. It was him. Unmistakable black hair draped down his neck, piercing sharingan and rinnegan eyes, and wearing a long dark cloak which hid the arm he lost in their fight all that time ago.

It was Sasuke. Sasuke fucking Uchiha, standing right in front of him. In person.

Naruto stood there, dumbstruck.

“Have I rendered you speechless, moron?”

Naruto quickly snapped out of it. “Like hell!” Naruto said before taking a step forward and lightly punched Sasuke’s shoulder. Naruto pulled him in for a hug before Sasuke could protest or retaliate. Sasuke slowly wrapped his arm around Naruto’s back.

Naruto held the embrace for longer than probably appropriate.  But he didn’t care who saw and whether it was awkward. The feeling of Sasuke in his arms and the rhythm of his heart against his chest couldn’t be beaten. It was a feeling he had longed for so long. Two whole years.

When Naruto pulled back he took in Sasuke’s dishevelled appearance. “What are you doing here? And why are you pulling weeds?”

“Probably for the same reason you are,” Sasuke said.

“Kakashi?” Naruto asked.

“Kakashi,” Sasuke said.

Naruto chuckled. “Should’ve known he would pull something like this.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “We have lots to catch up on! You wanna grab some ramen after we’re done here?”

“Only if you’re paying.”

“Ah, still so stingy, Sasuke. But it’s a date!”

Sasuke raised an eyebrow.

“Deal! I meant deal!”

“Sure you did,” Sasuke said, before bending back over to pull more weeds out. Naruto could hear the smugness in his voice and had to avert his eyes from staring somewhere he shouldn’t.

The thing was, Naruto had long since come to terms with the fact he was, and had been for years, in love with Sasuke Uchiha. Was the feeling mutual? Probably not. Had Naruto acted upon said feelings? Most definitely not. He didn’t want anything to risk the friendship they had built. So instead he just made do with admiring from afar and within the confines of his head. Sure, it was unfulfilling, but it was safe. 15 year old Naruto would scoff at his current self at 29 playing it safe. Since when had he ever done that growing up?

Nevertheless, Naruto bent down and started pulling weeds on the side opposite Sasuke. The time it would take to pull all the weeds would be vastly reduced since they were both working at it. Even less if he summoned some shadow clones, but he kind of wanted to manage it himself. Despite being nearly 30, Naruto’s competitive spirit hadn’t dissipated. And if Sasuke’s renewed vigour was anything to go by, then neither had his.

“You look like you’re tiring over there, Sasuke,” Naruto said, pulling an extra stubborn weed.

“Ha. Says the person straining to pull that weed out,” Sasuke said.

“It’s a stubborn weed!” Naruto pulled harder and eventually the weed followed. The force of Naruto’s pulling had sent him landing on his butt.

Sasuke laughed freely. The sound was not so foreign to Naruto anymore; the development of their friendship over the last decade had allowed for more of these moments of Sasuke letting himself be open and honest about enjoying things. Naruto always found it a privilege to see that side of Sasuke.

However, it didn’t stop a blazing blush from tinting Naruto’s cheeks, slightly embarrassed. But, after a moment he joined in the laughter too. It was pretty funny. Besides, the sound of Sasuke’s laughter was worth it.

After only 40 minutes all the weeds had all been pulled. Naruto and Sasuke were both sweating after exerting themselves for so long under the hot sun.

“Kakashi owes us big time,” Naruto said as he poured what was left from his water bottle over his head. The feeling of the cold water splashing down his body was as refreshing as he hoped. He cracked open an eye and looked at Sasuke, but Sasuke quickly averted his gaze.

“See something you like?” Naruto joked, striking a pose. But Sasuke just rolled his eyes and began the walk back into the central Konoha. Naruto ran to catch up. “Sasuke! Wait up, I was just joking.”

“I know,” Sasuke said. “I’m going back to shower before Ichiraku. I suggest you do the same.”

Naruto gaped. “Is this you telling me I smell?”

Sasuke turned to Naruto, amusement tugging at his lips. “Pretty much,” he said, before taking off into the trees, leaving Naruto in the dust.

Naruto just shook his head, a grin emerging on his face. “That bastard,” he muttered to himself. He took off after Sasuke. He wouldn’t catch him—their apartments were on opposite sides of the village—but he was eager to get a move on regardless. Ramen was his favourite, after all. But more than that, so was Sasuke.

— —

After cleaning himself up, Naruto felt a whole lot fresher. He gave a satisfied nod at his reflection in the mirror and then left his apartment.

When he arrived at Ichiraku, Sasuke was already there, waiting outside of the establishment. “Took you long enough,” he said, but the levity of his tone belied the words he spoke.

“It takes a while to look this good, believe it or not,” Naruto said, punctuated by a grin. Sasuke rolled his eyes, but there was a subtle upcurve to his lips. He was amused. Internally cheering, Naruto held the short noren curtain open and gestured for Sasuke to enter. “After you,” he said.

“How gracious,” Sasuke said, but the sarcasm wasn’t lost on Naruto.

“Just being polite, asshole,” Naruto said, but it too lacked bite. He had long since known that this was Sasuke’s type of banter. It was just a bit of playfulness disguised as assholery, to put it mildly.

Naruto ordered his usual miso ramen and was surprised when Sasuke ordered the same.

Naruto turned to Sasuke, smug smile on his face. “Well—”

“Shut it,” Sasuke interrupted, pushing Naruto’s face away.

“Just admit it. You admire me so much you had to get the same order!”

Sasuke, much too used to Naruto’s childishness just quirked an eyebrow. “How old are you again?”

Naruto pouted. “Don’t remind me of my age. It’s depressing.”

A deep belly laugh startled their conversation. “How do you think I feel?” Teuchi, the ramen stall owner, said. Naruto had completely forgotten other people were around; forever getting carried away when it came to Sasuke. He was glad Teuchi was well and his business was still running, but did the man intend to make ramen until he keeled over?

“Yeah, shouldn’t you be retired now?” Naruto said.

Ayame gasped. “Rude, Naruto! Not everyone has a life of luxury waiting for them like you will once you’re hokage.”

Sasuke scoffed. “That’s the least this village owes him.”

Naruto rubbed the back of his neck. “Sorry, I—”

But before anything more could be said, Teuchi placed the ramen bowls in front of Naruto and Sasuke with a heavy thunk, silencing the stall.

“Naruto here isn’t going to have it so easy. He’ll be tasked with the biggest responsibility there is: looking after the people of this village. But with any luck, things will improve with his leadership and you, Ayame, will be able to comfortably retire unlike your old man.”

“Aha,” Naruto said, gulping down the guilty feeling crawling up his throat. Fortunately, Teuchi and Ayame moved on to serve the next customers. Naruto dug into his ramen but he could feel Sasuke’s eyes on him.

Naruto knew Teuchi didn’t mean to pressure him, but it was comments like that that made him doubt himself and his dreams. That steadfast certainty he’d once had was no longer a sure thing. With all his training to be hokage, he didn’t know if he was capable of improving the lives of a whole village. Yes, he wanted to protect the people of Konoha, and would do so any day, but he didn’t think he would be very useful sitting behind a desk piled with paperwork.

Besides, he sneaked a glance at Sasuke, he had something more important to him now. Somebody more important. And that somebody still hesitated coming home to Konoha.

But how could Konoha be home if Sasuke wasn’t in it?

He focused back on his ramen before Sasuke could catch him watching.

“Would taste better with some tomatoes,” Sasuke said, easily breaking the tension in Naruto’s shoulders.

“What!” Naruto said, almost choking on his ramen. “That would ruin it!”

Sasuke’s eyes met his. “Afraid to try something different?” he said.

And for some reason, Naruto didn’t think he meant the food.

Sasuke waved to Ayame. “Another bowl of miso. Can you add some tomato to it?”

Ayame scrunched her nose in distaste. “Um. Okay. If you’re sure?”

“I’m certain,” Sasuke said, his tone leaving no room for doubt. Ayame nodded and got to work on the order.

“Sasuke,” Naruto whispered, “I don’t think you’ve thought this through.”

Sasuke’s eyes returned to meet Naruto’s, a small smirk settling on his face. “Oh, don’t worry. I definitely have.”

Why did Naruto have a bad feeling about this?

His question was answered five minutes later when Sasuke held chopsticks up to Naruto’s mouth. They were holding some tomato-covered noodles.

“Taste it,” Sasuke said.

“No thanks,” Naruto said.

Sasuke shrugged and took the chopsticks to his own mouth, easily eating the tomato-infested ramen. “Tastes fine,” Sasuke said and picked up some more from his bowl. But before he could bring it to his mouth, Naruto held his wrist.

“Fine. Let me try,” Naruto said. He wasn’t going to back down from this challenge, as silly as it may be.

Sasuke lifted the chopsticks to Naruto’s mouth and Naruto ate the noodles. His cheeks grew red as he realised he’d just shared chopsticks that Sasuke had used. What was he? A love struck teenager in the body of a nearly 30 year old man? He chided himself for being so pathetic.

Nevertheless, he chewed the noodles. They didn’t taste that bad. Actually, he could see why some people might enjoy it. The sourness of the tomato kind of, emphasis on the kind of, complemented the saltiness of the miso.

“Not great but not terrible either,” Naruto declared, with an affirmative nod.

“And now that you’ve tried it you know your feelings about it.”

“Yeah, I guess so.”

Sasuke didn’t reply, but the knowing expression on his face said more than enough. How could Sasuke read him so well? Just when Naruto thought he could read Sasuke just as well, Sasuke was constantly a step ahead.

After they ate, Naruto accompanied Sasuke back to his apartment. It was dark out and the streets were not greatly illuminated, but at least the temperature was warm. Summer nights in Konoha always seemed to hit the right mark between warm but not uncomfortable.

Naruto kicked a stone on the ground. Sasuke’s earlier actions were eating away at him. “Hey, Sasuke.”

“Mm?”

“What were you getting at back then? With the ramen?”

The crunching of gravel beneath Sasuke’s shoes stopped. Naruto looked up to see Sasuke had stopped walking. “What do you think I was getting at?”

Naruto huffed. Only Sasuke could be so difficult. Naruto had a feeling he learned it from Kakashi. “I don’t know! That’s why I asked.”

Sasuke resumed walking. “Use your brain, Naruto.”

If Naruto had been 15 years younger, that kind of response would have fired him up for a fight. But as it was, he was heading to 30 and had, thankfully, matured a little bit since his hot-headed unpredictable days.

When Naruto didn’t resume walking, Sasuke turned around and nodded upwards to the block of apartments behind him. “Come,” he said, as he swiped his tag to get in the main entrance.

Naruto hurried to catch up. The elevator ride up was silent, but not in an awkward way. Naruto was too busy thinking over Sasuke’s behaviour while Sasuke seemed apathetic to it all.

When they finally arrived at Sasuke’s apartment, Naruto discarded his shoes for slippers and followed Sasuke into the kitchen. Sasuke, now with his cloak off, filled his kettle and set it to boil before preparing two teacups with tea bags. Naruto spotted the brand of tea Sasuke was using—it was the one Naruto had recommended years ago. Sasuke had always been a bit of a tea traditionalist, using loose-leaf. But Naruto had shown him the convenience of tea bags and convinced him to try it. He was surprised Sasuke had stuck to it.

Once the kettle had boiled and the tea was made, Sasuke made himself comfortable on the cushions by the table in the living room. Naturally, like a moth to a flame, Naruto followed.

“Ah, tea,” Naruto said as Sasuke slid a teacup his way. Naruto picked it up and took a sip and instantly recoiled. “I think I burnt my tongue.”

Sasuke chuckled and shook his head. “You never change.”

“Really?”

“Yeah,” Sasuke said, before taking a sip of his tea. His eyes never leaving Naruto’s.

Naruto leaned back with his outstretched arms supporting him. With Sasuke’s gaze on him he was feeling… brave, or maybe just foolish. “What if one day I did, though?” He looked Sasuke back square in the eyes. “What would you do, Sasuke?” He didn’t know where the sudden bravado came from but he couldn’t resist. He bit his lip.

Sasuke’s gaze dropped right to Naruto’s mouth, but then returned to Naruto’s eyes so quickly Naruto thought he had imagined it.

“Don’t,” Sasuke said.

“Don’t what?”

“Don’t…” Sasuke sighed. “Don’t promise things you can’t keep.”

Naruto frowned. “You know I always keep my promises.” And it was true. Never once had he strayed from a promise—especially his promise to bring Sasuke back. Sasuke knew that firsthand.

“Yes. Which is the problem. You’re tied to too many promises that you can’t break.”

Naruto sat up straight. Sasuke was breaching territory Naruto was far too familiar with. Sasuke didn’t have to spell it out for him to know where he was going with this.

“I’m trying my best to keep them all, Sasuke,” he said, but it felt weak even to his ears.

“I know you are. That’s exactly what I mean.”

Naruto leaned forward. “It is?”

Sasuke sighed. “Idiot. Do you even want to be Hokage anymore?”

Naruto distracted himself with a sip of tea. He had a feeling this was coming.

“Of course,” he said, an automatic response but Sasuke just stared at him, unimpressed. Naruto was quick to waver under the gaze. “Okay, okay. You got me.” Naruto sighed. “I don’t know. Sometimes I think I do, but a lot of the time I don’t.”

“Go on.”

“I just… it’s expected of me, right? I grew up proclaiming I would be hokage someday and I genuinely wanted to back then. But a lot has changed, you know? Believe it or not, I actually have changed.”

Sasuke took a sip of his tea and gave a small nod for him to continue.

“For so long I promised myself, and the people of this village, that I would be Hokage one day. But for the first time in my life it’s a promise I don’t want to keep. I found that I, um, have a more important promise.”

Sasuke’s head inclined in interest. “What’s that?”

Naruto smiled but avoided Sasuke’s gaze. He knew he would have to talk about this at some point, but it wasn’t something he was ever going to be ready for. He stared down at his hands. “My promise to you.”

When Sasuke was quiet, Naruto chanced a glance up. Sasuke’s eyebrows were furrowed slightly. “What’s your promise to me?”

Steeling himself, Naruto met his gaze, his resolve strengthening. Sasuke deserved to know. “To bring you home,” he said.

Sasuke frowned. “Moron, where do you think we are right now?”

Naruto exhaled. He thought Sasuke might say something like that. “I know, I know. But hear me out. Are you home? Not really. Most of the time you’re forced out on long missions. Konoha hasn’t been your home in a long time and after everything has happened, all the lies, corruption, and trauma, why would you want to stay here and consider this your home? And what kind of friend would I be to make you stay?”

There was an intense look in Sasuke’s eyes. “What are you saying, Naruto?”

Naruto bit his lip. “I’m saying…” He mustered his courage. “If this isn’t your home, then it can’t be mine, either.”

Sasuke’s eyes widened but only briefly. His gaze turned soft. “Thank you for the truth. But you’re going to struggle to keep that promise.” He turned his attention to the now empty teacups and carried them to the kitchen sink.

“But—” Naruto said, following after Sasuke.

Sasuke busied himself with the dishes, avoiding his gaze. “Haven’t I asked for enough all these years?”

“Sasuke—” Naruto pulled Sasuke’s wrist, turning him around to face him, meeting his gaze. He gulped. It was now or never. The moment of truth. If things went badly Naruto just hoped Sasuke would still at least remain a friend. Naruto exhaled. He took Sasuke’s hand in his and pressed it up to his rapidly beating heart. “Don’t you get it? It’s you. It’s always been you, and always will be you.”

Sasuke’s face went through a myriad of expressions but settled on uncertain eyes, furrowed brows and a tense jaw. It was the most expressive Naruto had seen him in years. But Sasuke chose to just drop his head on Naruto’s shoulder.

“Earlier. With the ramen. I knew you had your doubts about becoming Hokage and thought you might benefit from trying something else. Something new. Something that made you happy. But…”

“But?”

“But I was also being selfish.” Sasuke stepped back, lifting his head from Naruto’s shoulder. He looked Naruto right in the eyes. “I’m done denying… everything.”

“Denying?”

“Yeah. Turns out I’m in love with a moron.”

Naruto’s breath hitched in his throat. He stepped into Sasuke’s space, clutching the front of Sasuke’s top. His gaze drifted to Sasuke’s lips. “Can I?”

In response, Sasuke closed the distance between them and his mouth was on Naruto’s. It was intense at first, the two of them being so desperate to taste one another, but they soon found a rhythm. Sasuke’s hand was cupping Naruto’s face, while Naruto’s hands were on Sasuke’s hips, pulling him in so they were pressed against one another. It was overwhelming, Naruto being able to kiss the one he loved for over 15 years. He felt so much at once, like his chest would explode. How could this be real?

None of his dreams could compare to this. The warmth of Sasuke’s body against his, the taste of tea in Sasuke’s mouth, Sasuke’s hums of pleasure. It ignited something in Naruto. He was desperate to familiarise himself with the hard ridges of Sasuke’s body. He wanted it all.

When they parted, Sasuke rested his forehead against Naruto’s. Sasuke’s cheeks were a lovely shade of red. Naruto grinned. He was giddy that he could make Sasuke so flustered, though he was sure his face was exactly the same.

“What are you grinning about?” Sasuke said.

Naruto’s grin grew wider. “The fact that you love me. And that I love you.”

Sasuke chuckled. “You moron,” he mumbled against Naruto’s lips, before engaging in another kiss. It was an amazing feeling, kissing the one you loved. And now that Naruto had tried it, he never wanted to lose it.

They separated and Naruto couldn’t contain his happiness. “18 years later, huh.” Which was actually kind of sad, with all the time that had passed, but Naruto was too joyful to let anything put a damper on his mood. “I guess we have a lot to figure out about the future, huh?”

“Yeah,” Sasuke said. “We do.” He looked at Naruto, an unusual nervousness in his eyes and his cheeks slightly red. “Bedroom?”

Naruto’s eyes widened. “Y-yeah,” he said. What was happening? Was this heading where he thought it was? Sasuke actually wanted and desired for him? Naruto’s cheeks warmed up, flustered.

Sasuke took hold of Naruto’s hand and led him through to his bedroom. Naruto gladly allowed himself to be led, excitement building in his lower half.

Once in the room, Sasuke crowded Naruto and kissed him ravenously. Naruto was just as eager, willingly kissing back with just as much interest. He had to reluctantly part to get his t-shirt over his head. He was grateful he had dressed light and was grateful Sasuke had too when he took off Sasuke’s t-shirt.

Sasuke walked back to the bed, pulling Naruto with him. As soon as the back of Sasuke’s legs hit the bed, Naruto gently pushed him down onto the bed. Sasuke willingly complied.

The bed was on the small side, but it would do. He looked at Sasuke, laid down on his back, chest on display and scarlet cheeks. He was a marvellous sight, a mix of sharp edges and muscle tone. He was nearing 30 and still didn’t carry any fat; Naruto wasn’t sure how that was possible. Nevertheless, Naruto was growing very excited at the sight and climbed on top of Sasuke, straddling his hips. He leaned down and Sasuke automatically wrapped his arm around Naruto’s neck, closing the distance between them.

Naruto was quickly becoming addicted to Sasuke’s mouth; it was his new favourite taste. The kissing and the little hums of pleasure Sasuke let out were going straight to Naruto’s dick. He pressed his hips down against Sasuke, gratified to feel that Sasuke’s body was also responding.

Moving on from Sasuke’s mouth, Naruto ran his hand down Sasuke’s chest, familiarising himself with the feel of Sasuke under his fingertips. Sasuke’s skin was a lot paler than Naruto’s own, but still had plenty of scars like Naruto. Curiosity getting the better of him, Naruto thumbed over one of Sasuke’s already hard nipples while grinding down with his hips. Sasuke threw his head back, the long arch of his body gravitating to Naruto’s touch. “Fuck,” Naruto said, somewhat breathless. How could he be lucky enough to see and experience Sasuke like this?

Sasuke grabbed hold of Naruto’s wandering hand. “Stop teasing, Naruto,” he said between heated breaths. He guided Naruto’s hand to his pants, letting Naruto feel the outline of his erection. Naruto got the memo and shifted his attention to Sasuke’s pants, pulling them down just far enough to expose Sasuke’s dick straining in his underwear. Naruto was mesmerised by the sight, excitement building knowing it was he himself that had elicited this kind of response.

Naruto felt Sasuke through the fabric of his underwear. He could already feel a bit of pre-cum leaking through. Naruto was so turned on. He’d never sucked a dick before, but he was excited at the thought of getting to taste Sasuke. But before Naruto could get his mouth on him, Sasuke pulled him up to meet him.

“Together,” Sasuke said and made quick work of pulling down Naruto’s pants and underwear exposing his erection to the warm air. Sasuke proceeded to pull his underwear down too and then lined up their dicks, using his hand to stroke the both of them together. Naruto almost came right away at the initial contact. Sasuke was touching him! The man he had for so long considered his rival, his goal, his best friend, and now finally his lover. It was a wild thought, and Naruto was sure his eyes were blown as a result.

A thrill of pleasure shot through Naruto’s body every time Sasuke stroked them both in a certain way. However, Sasuke’s hand wasn’t quite big enough, so Naruto reached down and covered Sasuke’s hand, getting more coverage with his larger hand. Both of them were panting, breathless.

“God, Sasuke,” Naruto mumbled into Sasuke’s lips. “You’re unreal.” A small moan escaped Sasuke’s lips. Was that the praise? Naruto stored the thought away for later and captured Sasuke’s mouth for another kiss.

Naruto thumbed over the heads of their dicks, both leaking pre-cum. He spread it all over, letting it lubricate their strokes. Sasuke gasped at the feeling, his head thrown back on the pillow. Naruto used the opportunity to press kisses into Sasuke’s exposed neck. The sounds Sasuke was making were really leading Naruto to go over the edge.

Sasuke pulled Naruto’s head away from his neck and instead guided Naruto to his mouth.

Naruto really couldn’t believe what was happening; it still hadn’t sunk in. To think that he had made peace with the fact he would never know what Sasuke tasted like, that his feelings would remain a secret. Now that he had Sasuke he didn’t think he could go back to pining from afar. Sasuke was addictive and Naruto was already hooked. He was excited to think that his future could be full of the handsome man beneath him.

“Naruto,” Sasuke said, in between kisses. “I’m close.”

“Me too,” Naruto said. He picked up the speed of his strokes. He was so close, but he wanted to see Sasuke come undone first. So Naruto went back to pressing kisses up Sasuke’s neck until he was at Sasuke’s ear. “Come for me, Sasuke,” he said, right in Sasuke’s ear.

That did it. Sasuke cried out Naruto’s name, as Naruto stroked him through his orgasm. And wow he was a sight to be appreciated. The scarlet cheeks, blown eyes, swollen lips. It was too much.

Naruto called out Sasuke’s name, coming all over them. He dropped onto the bed, laying next to Sasuke, eyes watching the ceiling above. “Wow,” he said, while he recovered.

“Yeah,” Sasuke said, just as spent as Naruto.

Naruto would have to get up and clean them, but he would allow himself a few minutes to recover first. His mind was just repeating Sasuke over and over again like some kind of mantra. He looked over at Sasuke, only to find Sasuke was already watching him. There was a question in his eyes.

“What are you thinking about?” Naruto said.

“You,” Sasuke said, a small smile on his lips. He averted his gaze to the ceiling. “And how I don’t deserve you.”

“Hey!” Naruto said, grabbing hold of Sasuke’s hand. “None of that.” He placed a kiss on the inside of Sasuke’s wrist. “I love you, okay?”

Sasuke met his eyes. “Yeah. I love you, too.” And if a stray tear ran down Sasuke’s cheek, well, Naruto didn’t need to mention it.

— —

Afterwards, when they were all cleaned up, Naruto held Sasuke close to him. The bed was very small and definitely needed to be exchanged, but they made it work. If their friendship could withstand everything they were faced with in their teenage years, then a small bed was hardly a challenge.

“I guess there’s a lot we need to talk about,” Naruto said. “And we need to find a home.” It was rather vague, but carried a lot of meaning.

Sasuke just pressed closer. “My home is with you, moron,” he mumbled sleepily.

Naruto melted at the tenderness. He placed a kiss on Sasuke’s head. Yeah, they had a lot to figure out and talk about, like where would they go from here and what did the future hold for them? But they were in it together. Finally. And he had the damn tomato ramen to thank for it.