Their arms were bleeding out next to one another. It had been an epic fight. Sasuke had forgotten how exhilarating it was to go head to head with Naruto. Part of him knew it would be, but he had forgotten exactly how euphoric the feeling would be. Yeah, their arms were bleeding out—they should probably get that seen to—but Sasuke had never felt more alive. And with that thought he couldn’t help the small chuckle that escaped him.
Naruto rolled his head to the side to face him. “What’s so funny?” he asked, a small smile to his lips. Sasuke stifled another laugh as he took in the state of Naruto. Bruises and swelling all over his face; he was sure his face was no better.
“I bet you didn’t envision this in your future,” Sasuke said. The fallout of chasing after me, went unsaid.
But it didn’t matter that it went unsaid. Naruto could read him like a book—he always had. And their thoughts had never been more aligned than they were then.
Naruto’s gaze locked onto Sasuke’s and with no trace of humour, he said, “I regret nothing.” Articulating each word so sincerely, so seriously, that Sasuke couldn’t help but tear his eyes away and swallow down the emotions threatening to erupt from within. He turned his head to face completely away from Naruto as a traitorous tear ran down his cheek.
Sasuke wasn’t a regret. And while he knew Naruto wouldn’t lie about this—the guy’s firm resolve and actions over the years were evidence enough of that—it still was hard to take in. Because when all was said and done, Sasuke had told himself that Naruto would mourn all the time he wasted on him.
But, as he turned back to face Naruto, saw their puddles of blood strangely forming a heart, he could feel it in his bones that what Naruto said was truthful. He glanced across at Naruto, who was watching him so openly, and couldn’t help but send a little smile his way.
The grin he got in response was worth it.