{"id":357,"date":"2025-07-11T20:40:58","date_gmt":"2025-07-11T12:40:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cloverso.me\/fic\/?p=357"},"modified":"2025-07-11T20:40:58","modified_gmt":"2025-07-11T12:40:58","slug":"not-a-love-song","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cloverso.me\/fic\/357\/","title":{"rendered":"not a love song"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

Naruto wasn\u2019t one for taking his time and just enjoying the hustle and bustle of the nightlife in Konoha. He\u2019d always had too much on\u2014training, missions, fights against the Akatsuki, looking for Sasuke\u2014that he\u2019d never had the chance to just wander without urgency or a purpose. Now that things had calmed, he had the time to do exactly that.<\/p>\n

With the village still under reconstruction, there was a lot that was yet to be rebuilt\u2014homes and businesses. However, watching the nightlife you wouldn\u2019t believe there had been any devastation if it wasn\u2019t for the physical signs as the people weren\u2019t fazed in the slightest. There was a street vendor offering taiyaki to a long queue of customers, there were a bunch of kids playing handball, and there was even a little crowd of people surrounding a busking musician. Naruto was curious about the latter, so he joined the crowd.<\/p>\n

The musician was playing a slow song, strumming his guitar. His soft voice seemed to have the crowd in a spell. There was one couple listening, who were holding hands, gazing at one another like nothing or no one else existed in the world. Naruto had to turn away, feeling like he was intruding on their moment. He wished he could be that happy.<\/p>\n

Unfortunately, the person his heart yearned for was definitely never going to return those feelings.<\/p>\n

\u201cShould\u2019ve guessed you liked love songs,\u201d came a familiar voice in Naruto\u2019s ear. He jumped initially\u2014he hadn\u2019t detected Sasuke\u2019s chakra, but the man always had a tendency to conceal it\u2014and then punched Sasuke in the shoulder. Sasuke looked as good as always, a black cloak covering his clothes, his black hair slightly longer than Naruto remembered, and face as beautiful as it had always been. Naruto forced an awkward laugh, aware that he had been staring a fraction too long. He recalled what Sasuke had said.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not a love a song, asshole,\u201d Naruto said, only for the next lyrics the musician sang to be You\u2019re my lover, you always will be.<\/em><\/p>\n

Sasuke quirked an eyebrow while Naruto\u2019s face heated up. \u201cWhat are you even here for?\u201d he said, deflecting the topic away from love songs.<\/p>\n

\u201cShould I not be?\u201d Sasuke said.<\/p>\n

Only then did Naruto realise his own tone. He hadn\u2019t meant to sound so abrupt but Sasuke was a professional in flustering him. He rubbed the back of his neck. \u201cNo, I mean, I\u2019m just surprised. I didn\u2019t think you\u2019d be back so soon.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMe either,\u201d was all Sasuke offered.<\/p>\n

The couple that Naruto had been admiring earlier now were wrapped up in each other, swaying together to the music. Naruto could feel Sasuke\u2019s gaze on him.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo,\u201d Naruto said, tearing his eyes away from the captivating couple. \u201cShould we get some food?\u201d<\/p>\n

Sasuke gave him a look. \u201cIs it going to be ramen?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2014 \u2014<\/p>\n

It was ramen. But it was at Ichiraku, so Naruto figured it was more than good enough. Teuchi always did the best and fortunately (for Naruto\u2019s sake) his business was one of the few that had managed to recover somewhat swiftly.<\/p>\n

Naruto and Sasuke made light chatter while they waited for their ramen and remained mostly quiet while eating. It was when Naruto was just about done with his first bowl that Sasuke made him nearly choke.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m thinking of settling down,\u201d Sasuke said.<\/p>\n

Naruto had to hit his own chest to clear his airways from nearly choking. He took a long drink of water once he could breathe again. \u201cYou mean settling down like\u2026 getting married and building a home?\u201d<\/p>\n

Sasuke wore a deadpan expression. \u201cIs there an alternative meaning I should know of?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo. I mean, not that I\u2019m aware of. I just\u2026 didn\u2019t know you were interested in that\u2026 well, a relationship,\u201d Naruto said, trying to prolong the inevitable mental breakdown he would have over this. \u201cDo you like someone?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah.\u201d<\/p>\n

Naruto\u2019s eyes widened as faces flew through his mind. Sakura? Karin? Ino? Who else? \u201cOh. Uh. Do I know her?\u201d<\/p>\n

Sasuke placed down his chopsticks and handed over some cash to Teuchi. \u201cLet\u2019s walk.\u201d And walked out of the shelter of the ramen stall before Teuchi could even hand him his change.<\/p>\n

Naruto placed his chopsticks down and attempted to pay but Teuchi refused his cash and simply handed him Sasuke\u2019s change to give back to Sasuke. Not having a moment to spare, Naruto made a mental note to discuss the much too generous hospitality with Teuchi another time and thanked him before he rushed to follow Sasuke out. The topic of conversation had made him lose his appetite anyway.<\/p>\n

Sasuke was a few metres away and Naruto swiftly caught up and handed him back his change. Sasuke looked like he wasn\u2019t going to accept it back but eventually (and begrudgingly) did. Naruto\u2019s persistence was a hard thing to beat, after all. The years of him chasing Sasuke were proof of that.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo. Do I know this mystery lady?\u201d Naruto asked as they started walking. He tried to play it cool but he didn\u2019t feel very cool at all.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s go back to yours. It\u2019s getting cold,\u201d Sasuke said, deflecting. Naruto wondered why he kept doing that, especially since Sasuke was the one who brought this topic up. But he was right about one thing: it was getting cold.<\/p>\n

\u201cAlright.\u201d<\/p>\n

They walked back in silence. Well, silence on Sasuke\u2019s part. Naruto kept making observations as they passed certain things and Sasuke just hummed in acknowledgement.<\/p>\n

When they arrived at Naruto\u2019s apartment, they kicked their shoes off and went inside. \u201cTea?\u201d Naruto offered. But instead of answering, Sasuke inspected the place.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey still make you live here?\u201d Sasuke eventually said.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, asshole. It\u2019s not much but it\u2019s mine.\u201d Naruto sighed. He knew his place wasn\u2019t fancy and it was tight but it was all he had ever known. At least it was his. \u201cAnyway, stop changing the topic. You wanted to come here and now we\u2019re here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou deserve more.\u201d<\/p>\n

Naruto wasn\u2019t sure what to do with that. He didn\u2019t really hear comments of that nature, less so from Sasuke. He settled for, \u201cIt\u2019s more than a fair number of people have right now. But okay, I\u2019m guessing you don\u2019t want to tell me about your lady? We can talk about something else.\u201d It did sting a little, Naruto had to admit, that Sasuke didn\u2019t want to confide in him, even now. But that was Sasuke, he supposed.<\/p>\n

Sasuke merely sat on the barstool while Naruto prepared two cups of tea. Sasuke had never said whether he wanted one, but he was getting one, like it or not.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy do you keep assuming they\u2019re a woman?\u201d Sasuke said.<\/p>\n

Naruto was mid-pouring the hot water from the kettle into the teacups when Sasuke had spoken. He almost dropped it.<\/p>\n

Um. Er. What?<\/p>\n

Did Naruto hear correctly? Or did Sasuke just imply it might not be a girl? Was he messing with Naruto?<\/p>\n

\u201cOh,\u201d Naruto said, downplaying his reaction. \u201cThey\u2019re a guy then?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah.\u201d<\/p>\n

Okay. Yeah. Fine. This was cool. Cool cool. Naruto could handle this: learning that the guy he loved wasn\u2019t so straight, but still wouldn\u2019t be likely to return Naruto\u2019s feelings. And because he loved to suffer he rephrased his earlier question. \u201cDo I know him?\u201d<\/p>\n

That got a small sigh out of Sasuke. \u201cNaruto. You can not be this dense.\u201d<\/p>\n

Naruto pushed a cup of tea over to Sasuke and then took his own over to the barstool next to him. \u201cWhat do you mean?\u201d<\/p>\n

Sasuke put his hand on the kitchen counter, flexing his fingers, and stared straight across at the fridge. Was Sasuke nervous? A slight dusting of red rose onto his cheeks. This was new.<\/p>\n

\u201cI want to settle down with you,\u201d he said, still scrunching his fingers into a fist.<\/p>\n

Naruto was glad he\u2019d put his teacup down because this was not on his list of things he ever expected Sasuke Uchiha to say to him.<\/p>\n

With wide eyes, Naruto opened and shut his mouth a few times and then pointed at himself. \u201cMe?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIs there someone else in the room?\u201d Sasuke said, dryly. He was still uncharacteristically fidgety. Clearly nervous about Naruto\u2019s response.<\/p>\n

Which. Well. That was a lot to take in. When your childhood rival, best friend and seemingly unrequited crush not only comes out as not straight but admits he wants to settle down<\/em> with you. Well. Just\u2026 What? Don\u2019t get Naruto wrong, this was beyond his happiest emotions, but also he didn\u2019t want to trust that it was real. Because what if it was some elaborate joke? No. Sasuke wouldn\u2019t do that. But still\u2026 he had his doubts.<\/p>\n

Naruto took a deep breath and closed his eyes. \u201cPinch me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy\u2026?\u201d Sasuke asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause this is either some elaborate genjutsu to prank me or I must be dreaming. And while I suck at breaking out genjutsu, Kurama doesn\u2019t and we\u2019re buds now so he keeps me right. So I\u2019m assuming it\u2019s the latter: I\u2019m dreaming.\u201d<\/p>\n

When Sasuke didn\u2019t immediately reply, Naruto opened his eyes, only to see said man staring at him with a slight furrow to his brows. Tentatively, he reached across and pinched Naruto\u2019s arm.<\/p>\n

Naruto tracked the movement as if reality was in slow motion. Sasuke\u2019s touch was warm but Naruto barely registered the actual pinch, too distracted by the absurdity of this whole situation.<\/p>\n

Switching his gaze, Naruto looked directly at Sasuke and bit his lip nervously. \u201cYou seriously like me?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFor some reason, yes.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOi! Asshole,\u201d Naruto said but laughed anyway. \u201cI uh.. I like you too. A lot. Unless this is a prank. Then I\u2019m probably gonna hate you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sasuke flicked him in the ear but his brows were no longer furrowed and his fidgeting stopped. Had he been in such a state over Naruto\u2019s response? \u201cIdiot. Pranks are meant to be funny. Do you think I\u2019d be so cruel? Wait\u2014don\u2019t answer that,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Naruto snorted but placed his hand on top of Sasuke\u2019s. He was warm and not nearly as tense as he had been. \u201cNo, you wouldn\u2019t be. But your confession is a surprise nonetheless.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sasuke huffed. \u201cI don\u2019t know why. You\u2019re the only person I make concessions for. The only one I listen to.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou listen to Sakura and Kakashi,\u201d Naruto pointed out.<\/p>\n

\u201cSometimes. But I don\u2019t like it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Naruto grinned. \u201cThat\u2019s going on my gravestone. \u2018Uzumaki Naruto: a man that Sasuke liked listening to<\/em>\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIdiot,\u201d Sasuke said, but the fondness couldn\u2019t escape his tone.<\/p>\n

The tea had cooled down enough to be drinkable, so Naruto took a sip and then realised exactly what<\/em> Sasuke had said. He\u2019d wanted to settle down with Naruto. That was another whole level of liking, surely? That was love.<\/p>\n

Or at least, it was to Naruto. Naruto loved Sasuke, this wasn\u2019t new. But he\u2019d long come to terms with the belief that it wouldn\u2019t be reciprocated. But apparently, that wasn\u2019t so true. Now he felt permitted to imagine a life together with him.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo you came back to tell me you want to settle down with me?\u201d Naruto asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo. That part was unplanned. Kakashi sent Pakkun for me. But when I got here I saw you watching that couple by the musician, so I watched them too.\u201d<\/p>\n

Naruto nodded for Sasuke to continue.<\/p>\n

\u201cI could see that being us one day. Minus the PDA.\u201d<\/p>\n

Naruto felt his cheeks heat up and he smiled. \u201cYou\u2019re a bigger sap than I thought. I never imagined anything like that being an option, to be honest.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLikewise, until last year.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh?\u201d<\/p>\n

Sasuke paused to take a sip of his tea. \u201cAfter our fight. I had an epiphany\u2026 That\u2019s all.\u201d<\/p>\n

Naruto knew that was Sasuke\u2019s way of shutting this topic down. He wouldn\u2019t push, for now; he\u2019d gotten more out of Sasuke tonight than he ever had. He reconnected their hands.<\/p>\n

\u201cDoes that mean I can do this?\u201d Naruto asked and brought Sasuke\u2019s hand to his lips to press a kiss to his knuckles.<\/p>\n

The expression on Sasuke\u2019s face was priceless. His eyes were wide and cheeks redder than the tomatoes he so liked. But even in his moment of shock, he never once tried to take his hand back.<\/p>\n

Naruto grinned. \u201cHope you know what you\u2019re in for, Sasuke.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sasuke recovered quickly, though his signature stoic expression that he was trying to fall back on wasn\u2019t so intimidating when his face was flushed red. Naruto wanted to kiss him.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m going to regret this,\u201d Sasuke said.<\/p>\n

Naruto laughed. \u201cToo late for take backs!\u201d<\/p>\n

Sasuke merely rolled his eyes, but the slight upturn of his lips was all the validation Naruto needed.<\/p>\n

Never in his 18 years of life, did Naruto envision he could have this with Sasuke. A man he thought was so solitary and distant. But he did. He would. And maybe it was too premature to say they were settling down, but for Naruto, there was no other and Naruto had the slight inkling that feeling might be reciprocated.<\/p>\n

He couldn\u2019t wait to start this new chapter with Sasuke, hand in hand.<\/p>\n

And who would\u2019ve thought that a couple dancing by a busking musician would\u2019ve been part of the catalyst for change. Naruto wished many blessings upon them.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

At 18, Sasuke already wants to settle down with someone. Naruto just wants to know who the someone is!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[10],"tags":[52,35],"fandom":[20],"rating":[3],"ship":[21],"class_list":["post-357","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-m-m","tag-no-boruto","tag-post-canon","fandom-naruto","rating-teen","ship-sasunaru","wpautop"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cloverso.me\/fic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/357","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cloverso.me\/fic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cloverso.me\/fic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cloverso.me\/fic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cloverso.me\/fic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=357"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/cloverso.me\/fic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/357\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":358,"href":"https:\/\/cloverso.me\/fic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/357\/revisions\/358"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cloverso.me\/fic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=357"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cloverso.me\/fic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=357"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cloverso.me\/fic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=357"},{"taxonomy":"fandom","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cloverso.me\/fic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/fandom?post=357"},{"taxonomy":"rating","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cloverso.me\/fic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rating?post=357"},{"taxonomy":"ship","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cloverso.me\/fic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ship?post=357"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}