Hurt,Cope,Heal

AN: Heya! I'm new to the fanfic scene, and this little plot bunny popped into my head today.. it's an AU SasuNaru fic, most likely with lots of angst. This is just a prologue, a little preview to see if people respond well.. hope ya like it!

Disclaimer: Naruto characters don't belong to me, unfortunately. :(

Pairings: As of right now, only SasuNaru. Most likely KakaIruka and LeeSaku in the future.

Warnings: Angst. Asshole Sasuke (what else didya expect?)

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"Sasuke?" Naruto mumbled, reaching out haphazardly with one of his sleep-addled limbs to grab at the dark-haired man who was attempting to leave the bed. Sasuke easily avoided his flailing arm and stood, moving to the dresser to pull out clothes for the day.

"Come back to bed," Naruto whined, rolling over onto the warm spot Sasuke had just left. "It’s too early..."

"Go back to sleep, dobe." His voice was softer than usual, almost tender. Naruto sat up, immediately suspicious. He rubbed his gummy eyes, gazing blearily up at the man, who was now fully dressed.

In a suit.

Naruto groaned, flopping back down onto the bed in frustration. "Back to work? They’ve called you in every night this week! What more do they want from you?"

"It’s important. They’re giving me a new case," Sasuke muttered, grabbing his briefcase and moving to leave.

"But-but you’ve already got two on your hands!" Naruto spluttered, sitting up indignantly. Sasuke paused, facing the door, a dangerous tension seeping into his shoulders.

"Think I can’t handle it?" Sasuke asked, voice cold as ice.

"I didn’t say that. You handle things perfectly, every time, always. I have no doubt that you can deal with three cases," he snapped, suddenly angry, an old bitterness creeping into his voice. He deflated just as quickly, and murmured apologetically, "It’s my ability that I’m doubting."

Sasuke turned calmly, but his expression was subtly annoyed. "What, exactly, does my being on three cases have anything to do with your abilities, or with you at all?"

Naruto flinched, then replied, "It’s still...hard for me to be alone. After...after everything. You know that." He swallowed, attempted to look down and away from Sasuke’s piercing gaze, but two harsh fingers gripped his chin and forced his eyes up.

"I told you I’d never let it happen again. This persistent fear of yours; it’s a weakness."

Naruto jerked out of his grasp as if stung, and retorted angrily, "Well, unlike you, Sasuke, I’m human, and I’m not afraid to admit that I have weaknesses."

Sasuke shrugged. "I know I have them. I can admit that. Unlike you, though, I actually try and get rid of them."

"I have tried!" Naruto cried, standing up, suddenly not liking the difference of levels between them as the conversation took a dangerous turn.

"Yeah?" Sasuke snorted. "How? By moping around here, clinging on to me like some frightened puppy?"

Naruto saw red. He swung, fist flying towards Sasuke’s face. The other, anticipating it, caught the blond’s arm and twisted, whirling him around so that Naruto’s back was struggling against his chest, bent arm in between them.

"Get off me, you bastard!" Naruto yelled, writhing desperately in Sasuke’s iron grip. He stomped violently on Sasuke’s foot, causing the brunet to grunt, but the latter held on.

"All I’m saying," he whispered against the squirming blonde’s ear, "Is that you need to get over this. It’s getting old." He let the other man go, watched him crumple to the floor at the suddenness of the motion. He waited for a moment, for the fiery blond to come back at him, fists blazing. But he didn’t. Sasuke stared, caught off guard as he watched Naruto’s shoulders begin to shake minutely.

"Shit, Naruto..." he trailed off, uncertain. He’d meant what he’d said, but he hadn’t expected– nor desired– this reaction. He reached a hand out, hesitated, then touched the back of Naruto’s neck, felt the distinct tension there.

"You’re...you’re right," Naruto whispered, biting his bottom lip viciously to keep the tears at bay, his body shaking with the effort. "Look at me. This is pathetic. I’m...I’m sorry for being like this. Shit," his voice cracked a little, "Damnit, I..." He faltered, voice lodged completely in his throat. His fists clenched, the biting pain of his nails digging in grounding him slightly. The warmth of Sasuke’s hand on his neck had yet to leave. They stayed like that for a long moment, Naruto shaking, Sasuke standing awkwardly with an arm outstretched in cautious comfort.

"I have to leave," Sasuke said after a while, but he didn’t make a move to do so. He felt the muscles underneath his hand spasm at the words. He kneaded the skin absently, felt a wayward scar as his fingers spread to press against the blonde’s upper back. Naruto’s breath hitched; he sniffled, wiped his eyes, and turned to look at the dark-haired man from beneath his lashes. His blonde hair was tousled, his shining eyes the purest of blues, staring at him with love and regret. Sasuke felt a coil of heat twist in his gut at the sight.

"I know you do," Naruto murmured. He reached out, cupped Sasuke’s cheek, pulled him down to his level. The other man kneeled obediently, leaning forward to capture Naruto’s worried bottom lip with his teeth, gently licking it before letting it go. He tilted upwards, about to stand, but an instinctive impulse made him press his lips to the blonde’s forehead, made him breath in, inhaling the sweet scent of Naruto’s hair. Then he quickly raised himself up once again, vaguely embarrassed at the show of affection, and staunchly ignored the shocked gaze following him as he headed for the door.

He paused once more, his expression once again schooled into nonchalance, and said simply, "Just think about what I said. I know what you went through was horrific. But–

"But it’s been long enough, and it’s high time for me to stop acting like a little wimp."

For the first time in a while, Naruto’s voice was clear and strong, and his eyes, though Sasuke couldn’t see them at the moment, were alight and alive, determination blazing within them. A smirk formed on the dark-haired man’s face. He knew his Naruto. He’d offered him a challenge, and the blonde wouldn’t stop until he’d given it his best effort.

Good.

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AN: Welp, that's all I've got for ya. Sorry if it's a little confusing right now as far as what Naruto's issues with his past are-- that'll be explained in future chapters. Hope you enjoyed. Any comments/criticism would be greatly appreciated!