Hold On Tightly, Let Go Lightly

Reviews from AFF.net

 

MisatosPenPen: Don’t worry, he will!!!

 

Kira Yuki: Thanks for the comments!!! I’m glad you’re enjoying the story!!

 

Golden Kitsune: The ending will be a happy one!!!

 

Smint45: Thanks as always for reading!!!

 

FromAfar: I did notice the transitions with Naruto were a bit quick but I guess I just didn’t notice until I read it through while editing. It is an RP so I’m sure it has something to do with us just not noticing. As for Sasuke’s past, it’s not really that tragic and compared to Naruto who seems to be the main focus in the story, we felt it wasn’t that pressing. Not to mention Sasuke is a very private person, even now when he’s so close to Naruto, but if I’m not mistaken, he’ll be telling Naruto a bit more about himself soon. Thanks for reading and I hope you stick with us!!!

 

FlightlessBird: Yay indeed!!! It’s all starting to work out XD

 

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As he left the house behind, everything became a blur. After an oxygen mask had been placed on him and he’d been loaded into the ambulance, all Naruto could remember was holding onto his uncle’s hand and trying to focus on the kind words the man whispered to him. By the time they arrived at the hospital, he’d slipped further into unconsciousness.



“We have to get him into surgery…” a barking voice spoke. “Repair the internal damage, remove the rib from his lung and inflate it…”



The voices blended together and the lights above blurred into dazzling streaks as he was wheeled through a hallway. Somewhere he lost his uncles kind voice, and after a few moments he felt his body being moved onto a table. Bodies stood all around, but he couldn’t make out one face. Heaviness took hold of him within seconds and he could no longer keep his eyes open. Everything went dark, and his last conscious thought was of Sasuke, hoping he would get to see his love again.



xx



The raven screeched his tires as he parked in front of the ER entrance and bolted inside, right away seeing a familiar blonde woman.



“Tsunade...!” he called out, still a bit far away and quickly walked toward the woman. “Where is he, is he here yet? Is he ok...? I want to see him...”



Tsunade turned at the familiar voice and frowned as Sasuke’s voice echoed through the corridors. She wasn’t surprised though; she’d been expecting it.



“Walk with me.” She didn’t wait for an answer, she just started walking. Her high heels clicked smartly on the linoleum floor and she waited until the Uchiha had caught up before starting. “Naruto is fine. He made it here just in time. He was taken into surgery where they repaired the massive amounts of internal damage. He has several broken ribs, one of which punctured his lung. It’s been reset and his lung inflated. Apart from that, he has severe bruising and deep lacerations covering his body, and his wrist and ankle were sprained badly. He probably didn’t even realize it with all the other damage… It’s going to take a long time, but he will recover. At least physically.”



She sighed heavily as she stepped into the elevator and they rode up to the third floor, where she showed Sasuke to a room at the very end of the hall with a cop standing guard in front of it. “He’s in recovery right now, but they’re going to move him to this private room in a few minutes. You can wait for him here. Any questions?”



Sasuke felt relief instantly flood him at hearing that Naruto would live. That’s all he needed. “I just needed to hear you say he was ok... thank you for taking care of him... I’ll pay all his medical bills, whatever it costs; I’ll take care of it.”



Even though his outward demeanor seemed a lot calmer he was anxious to see Naruto. He knew the blonde would look like hell, even worse than on the cameras, knowing the bruises would have most likely gotten darker, and then there were the wires and tubes the teen would most likely be hooked up to. But nothing could stop him from wanting to see his love. Not even his fear of confronting the boy.



Fifteen minutes later, two nurses rolled a bed into the room. They got Naruto situated and pulled a blanket up over his body and the thin hospital gown he wore.  The blood had been cleaned off him, but he was still a mess. Barely an inch of his skin was left unblemished. His left wrist and his ankle had braces around them, and he was still hooked up to oxygen, as well as machines to monitor him.



“I’d give him ten or so minutes to wake up,” Tsunade advised as she quickly checked over the blond. “I’ll be back to check on him. The cop’s going to stay outside the door to ward off the media and any unwanted visitors, but I’ve told him to allow you in. If you need me before I come back to check on Naruto, go to the nurses’ station just down the hall.” Pivoting, the blonde stepped out into the hall and closed the door quietly behind her, leaving the two alone.



There was nothing left to do, Sasuke broke down... Seeing Naruto laying in a hospital bed, bruised and hurt... looking so small in the bed, hooked up to machines. It was almost too much.



“I’m so sorry baby... I couldn’t do anything... I didn’t even know where to find you.” Sasuke’s voice was a mere whisper as he tried to talk through his tears, not even sure if Naruto could hear him. “I love you so much... more than anything... And even though this happened, it doesn’t change how much I love you.”



Naruto’s eyes cracked open and he recoiled at the bright lights that assaulted him. He could hear someone speaking, but he couldn’t focus enough to place the voice. He was really groggy from the anesthesia. He blinked to try and clear his vision, turning his head towards something dark, trying to focus on it.



The first thing he became aware of was pain. His chest felt so heavy; he could breathe at least, but his entire body throbbed horribly and he had no idea where he was.



‘And even though this happened, it doesn’t change how much I love you.’



Naruto knew that voice. He knew it. Blinking again, he realized the dark thing he’d been focused on was actually hair. He knew that hair, too. His hand slid across the bed until he felt another, and he laid his on top of it.



“Sas…uke….” he rasped, his heart leaping for joy despite the pain he was in. “I…. love you…too…”



Hearing the soft voice, Sasuke looked up, seeing those beautiful blue eyes and he smiled for the first time in two days.



“I’m so sorry... I’m sorry...” It was all he could manage to say, his voice and mind so choked up from seeing his lover awake.



Finally after a moment, he cleared his throat a bit and gently tightened his hand a little. “Do you need anything? Just tell me and I’ll get it.”



“No… Don’t… say that…” Naruto closed his eyes, wishing more than anything that he could erase the guilt Sasuke felt. He had no reason to feel it in the first place.



He licked his lips, wincing at his sore, parched throat. “Water?” he asked, moving his hand to try and squeeze Sasuke’s hand. Pain raced through his body and he choked on a gasp, stilling completely so he wouldn’t feel it again.



“Just relax Naruto... you have a lot of bruising and a few broken ribs...” Sasuke took the water from the bedside table and held the straw to the blonde’s chapped lips. “Don’t drink too much, you might get sick.”



Naruto winced as he leaned forward a bit and sipped at the water. It helped soothe his throat. He took a few more sips before laying back again, muttering a, “Thanks.”



The door opened a few moments later and Tsunade stepped in, smiling softly at the blond. “You’re awake. How are you feeling?”



“It hurts… everywhere…”



“Well, you have a lot of injuries. Your left arm and right ankle are in braces; they’re sprained badly, but not broken. You won’t be able to walk for a while. You have a lot of internal bruising, some on your organs. We had to open you up to fix some bleeding, but you’re going to be fine…” Tsunade approached the bed and pointed to a little button on the side, pressing it a few times.



“You’re hooked up to morphine. It’ll take a few minutes to kick in. If you need more, just hit the button. There’s a safety on it so you can’t overdose.” She placed a bedpan on the bedside table, just in case the blond needed it. “You need lots of rest, Naruto. I’m placing you on bed rest for a few weeks, including when you get discharged. I don’t want you moving around very much. For now you have a catheter, so you won’t need to get out of bed to use the washroom. Do you need anything?”



It was a lot of information to process; Naruto suddenly felt dizzy again. “No…” he answered, but then reconsidered. “S’uke… Can he stay?”



Tsunade smiled again and nodded. “As long as you want him to. I’ve given him special permission…” She turned to Sasuke on her way out. “You don’t have to follow visitation hours for the first few days, so stay as long as you want to. If he needs anything, hit the call button.”



“Thank you... I really appreciate this.” After the doctor left Sasuke looked down at the boy he loved more than anything. “Those painkillers should be kicking in soon, and then you should start feeling a little better.”



He wasn’t really sure what to say at this point. Hell, he wasn’t even sure if Naruto was going home with him once he was discharged. Then there was the matter of Minato. Just thinking of the man left a bad taste in his mouth and made him want to commit murder.



It didn’t take long for the morphine to kick in. A pleasant, hazy warmth spread through Naruto’s body and it became essentially numb. Breathing a sigh of relief, he took Sasuke’s hand again, lacing their fingers together.



“I can’t wait to go home with you,” he mumbled, smiling softly as he turned his head towards Sasuke. He giggled as he saw the slight wrinkle to his boyfriend’s forehead, untangling their fingers so he could reach up and poke him there. “Stop worrying, S’uke… I’m okay now. My uncle… How did you know about him, anyway? I don’t remember ever telling you about him.”



Sasuke smiled faintly, trying to keep up a good face. “I had a friend help me find you... well; I guess he’s not really a friend, someone I work with sometimes. But I guess he knew him.”



The raven couldn’t keep his smile as his dark thoughts took over, even though he was trying not to let it show. “Naruto... I’m not sure what’s going to happen once you get out of the hospital. everything’s just up in the air right now...”



“I don’t get it…” Naruto muttered, turning his hazy eyes on his boyfriend. “I still get to go home with you, right? My home is with you…”



The blond groaned at the dizziness assaulting him in waves, deciding he didn’t want to think or worry right then. His brows furrowed slightly as he looked down at the bed, then back at Sasuke, and then at the bed again before petting the space beside him. “Can you lay with me, S’uke? There’s enough room for you beside me… I need you near me now. Please?”



Letting out a breath, Sasuke nodded and carefully slid onto the bed next to the blonde. He was glad that Naruto changed the subject; he really didn’t want to tell his boyfriend that he was unsure where Naruto would live after he was released. Now that his father had been arrested, the court would probably give custody to Jiraiya. And as far as he knew, Jiraiya didn’t know about their relationship.



Getting as close as he could to Naruto without hurting the boy, Sasuke leaned over and gently kissed the full lips softly, the first kiss he’d been able to give since he last saw his lover.



Naruto’s hand came up and caught Sasuke’s cheek, his thumb stroking gently and keeping him right there – exactly where he wanted him. He kissed his boyfriend again, softly but thoroughly, lingering as long as he could until he had to lay back. “I really missed you, S’uke. I tried to be strong… I really did. You’re what got me through it… Even when he…”



The blond shook his head and blinked open his eyes, catching Sasuke’s gaze and refusing to look away. “You saved my life twice, S’uke…”



Sasuke took a moment to let everything sink in and gently smiled at Naruto. “I’d do anything to protect you Naruto. When you didn’t come home...” His voice choked off a bit, his throat becoming restricted as he felt tears threaten to spill.



“I know you would… I know…” Naruto whispered, sharing the soft smile with his boyfriend. But as soon as he heard that beloved voice, heard the threatening tears… His heart constricted and he once again reached out to cup Sasuke’s cheek.



“Don’t cry, babe… It’s okay… I’m okay…” He ran his fingers shakily through Sasuke’s hair, blinking his eyes in an attempt to keep them open. His body felt so, so heavy, the drugs running rampant now. He felt almost drunk.



“I’m so sorry… He accused me of stealing from the store and wanted to see in my bag so he brought me into some office… I shouldn’t have followed him, but I- I didn’t want the cops involved, ‘cus then there was a good chance my dad would be called, and…” Realizing he’d been rambling, he pushed himself up a bit and caught Sasuke’s lips in another kiss, trying to shut himself up and also trying to comfort his boyfriend.



Sasuke welcomed the lips against his and just let Naruto kiss him. It made him feel better but at the same time he knew Naruto shouldn’t be moving so much.



Pulling back a bit, Sasuke lifted a hand to run gently through the soft locks. “I went looking for you... I found your backpack outside of the store... that’s how I knew something happened. Although I would have suspected something had happened anyway... I just... I couldn’t even think straight.”



“’M sorry you had to go through that, S’uke…” Naruto’s eyes closed in bliss as those fingers ran through his hair, a soft sound escaping him – nearly a purr. “You must have been scared… I would’ve been terrified…”



He opened his eyes to look at the raven again and smiled softly. “You didn’t listen to me… You found me anyway. Not you exactly… but you got that person to help… Thanks for not listening to me.”



“Of course I wouldn’t listen to you... you’re worth everything Naruto and I wasn’t about just give up like that. I love you too much.” Pale lips kissed the soft cheek before he settled down a bit more comfortably next to the blonde. “You should try to sleep a bit, you need to rest.”



“Probably… I haven’t slept since the last time I was with you. Unless you count being unconscious, but I don’t…” Naruto yawned as he pulled Sasuke’s hand onto his chest and laced their fingers together. “You’re gonna stay with me right?”



“Until they tell me to leave, I’m here... and even then I’ll find a way to stay here with you.” Sasuke smiled, the smile reaching his eyes. Even though they’d probably be going through hell in the months ahead, at least they were together again, and that’s all Sasuke cared about; being with Naruto, having him safely in his arms, and putting that bastard Minato in jail for life...



“Good… Don’t leave me,” Naruto whispered, finally letting his eyes close. Sleep tried to take hold of him immediately, but he fought it off long enough to say a few more words. “I love you too, S’uke… and I won’t let my uncle keep us apart… I’m coming home with you…”



Almost as soon as the last word had left him, the blond fell asleep. A few minutes later, the door opened and Sai stepped in, his eyes betraying nothing as he beheld the couple on the bed.



“They raided Mr. Namikaze’s house,” he started right away, crossing the room to sit in the chair Sasuke had just occupied. “They found many videos, starting back when Naruto was six, of Minato raping and abusing him… With those tapes, he will be going to prison for life. He will not have a chance to hurt the boy again…”



Sasuke nodded but frowned at the information. He knew Naruto had been abused from a young age but hearing it was just a bit much. “He’s not going to have to testify is he? I’m sure the evidence from those videos are enough to go by... that is if he’s pleading innocent...”



“That’s the thing… He is not pleading innocent. He keeps saying Naruto deserved everything he got and he does not regret it… Minato’s lawyer has suggested he plead insanity. You know as well as I do that something is not right with him… He will be locked away either way. They cannot let someone like him back out, but if you want him put in prison… Jiraiya has requested that you handle this, since you are the best lawyer in the city. He is very upset about this… He wants me to offer you a deal…”



It was difficult to decide what to do at that point. On one hand, Minato was clearly insane, something had gotten screwed up in his head, most likely when his wife was killed... but on the other hand, he wanted that bastard to rot in prison for what he did to Naruto... how badly he traumatized the boy throughout most of his childhood.



Looking over at the mention of the boy’s uncle, Sasuke became a bit curious. “What kind of deal?”



“He knows about your relationship with Naruto and he also knows the boy was living with you for a while… He looked into you, because when he was bringing Naruto from the house, he kept asking for you. More than anything, he wants Naruto to be happy, and he also wants Minato put behind bars…”



Sai stood and moved towards the door. “If you can put Minato away, he will let Naruto go home with you. He will want to meet you and talk with Naruto to make sure it is what he wants, but that is the deal. What do you say?”



There wasn’t even anything to think about. “It’s done... I’ll get him behind bars.” He knew the moment Sai said those words that he would do anything to put the scumbag in jail. He didn’t care if there was some mental issues, the man deserved to rot in prison for what he did.



“I will let Jiraiya know then,” Sai nodded, slipping halfway out the door but then paused and reached into his pocket, taking a business card from it. He handed it to Sasuke. “If you need any information to help your case; that is Jiraiya’s card. He is willing to help you in any way possible.”



After Sai had left, he realized he hadn’t even thought about collecting his payment for his services. Odd. He’d never forgotten before – it must have been that kid. While he seemed unemotional, child abuse was something even he couldn’t stomach very well. But, it did give him a reason to bother Sasuke in the future. That was enough for him.



Sasuke pocketed the card and settled back down with Naruto. He fell asleep a few moments later, the past two days catching up to him quickly. He knew he’d do everything in his power to make sure Naruto never saw his father again. He hoped the video evidence would be enough, not to mention the fact the man was admitting his crimes. He just had to find a way to convince the judge that Minato’s acts were not because of a mental illness... that was the tricky part.



xx



“Awww, do I hafta?” Naruto pouted, crossing his arms loosely over his chest.



“Yes, brat…” the doctor growled, pushing the wheelchair forward. She glared daggers at the blond, as though daring him to complain again. “Anyone that’s had surgery has to leave the hospital in a wheelchair. If you don’t want to get in it, then you can just stay here a while longer!”



“But…!” Naruto eventually wilted under that stare and let Tsunade help him into the chair. There was no way he was staying there any longer than he had to. He was so sick of the hospital – there was nothing to do there! He did grumble through the entire transition, though.



“Here, you take him,” the blonde said to Sasuke, pushing the raven towards the chair. She narrowed her eyes as the younger blond, pointing a manicured finger at him. “I better not see you back here, brat!”



The doctor’s tone was harsh, but her eyes were tender. Naruto grinned. “I won’t be back, old hag. I got S’uke to take care of me!”



The raven just shook his head and took the handles to the wheelchair and began to push the blonde teen down the hall. It was going to be so good having Naruto back with him. He had met the blonde’s uncle, Jiraiya, a couple days prior, mainly to talk about the case, which Naruto now knew about, as well as the teen’s living arrangements. It seemed the old man was happy to see that Naruto had found someone and was happy to see Naruto comfortable and happy.



They made it to the front lobby of the hospital and Sasuke wheeled Naruto outside for the first time in a week. He was sure the boy was grateful to have some fresh air again. Although they were going home, Sasuke knew full well that Naruto was still going to be in a lot of pain for a while yet, his broken ribs and internal injuries being the main source of that pain.



Naruto grinned brightly and let out a ‘whoop!’ as soon as he was wheeled outside. The sun shone brightly and the rays warmed his pallid skin and dreary hair. “God am I glad to be out of there!” he breathed as he was wheeled towards Sasuke’s car.



“I miss home… And I miss your bed and your couch… and! And your big TV! Ohhh, and your cooking!” He mused the entire way to the car and then frowned as the locks were put on his wheelchair. He had no idea how he was going to get in there, but it was probably going to hurt.



Sasuke smiled as Naruto talked, the blonde had quickly gotten back into his happy attitude, even if the teen wasn’t as enthusiastic... Sasuke could completely understand why.



Seeing the frown cross Naruto’s face, Sasuke opened the passenger’s side and stood next to the chair. “I’m going to help you get in, just put as much weight on me as you want, ok?”



“Okay…” Naruto tugged at Sasuke until he stooped down and then thread his arm around the raven’s neck. He took a moment or two to steady himself and then, with his boyfriend’s help, he stood. He’d been placed right beside the seat, and all he had to do was lower himself, but by the time he did there were tears in his eyes.



“Okay… Okay, I’m good,” he muttered, slowly pulling his seat belt over him and then leaning back, breathing heavily.



Leaning in toward the blonde, Sasuke kissed the tan forehead, trying to sooth the boy. “I know it hurts baby... Is the morphine working at all?” he checked to make sure Naruto’s limbs were safely tucked in to the car before he pressed another kiss to Naruto’s forehead. He didn’t even know how they’d manage to get up to his apartment.



“I guess so,” Naruto answered, cracking open an eye and turning his head to look at Sasuke. “But it still hurts when I move. I know it’s going to for a while… At least we have the wheelchair, S’uke. Imagine me trying to walk all the way up to your apartment? You’d end up carrying me everywhere,” he teased.



Sasuke smiled and stroked the blonde hair. “You know that I wouldn’t mind that at all... but I’m glad the hospital let us use one. Ready to go?”



“I know. I might like that better…” the blond snickered. “I’m more than ready. Let’s go home…”



He let Sasuke shut the door for him so he didn’t have to lean over or reach out to do it. Letting his head lean back against the rest, he closed his eyes and settled into a light doze for the duration of the ride.



It didn’t take long to get Naruto home and up to the raven’s condo. It had seemed like a lifetime since Naruto had been home even though it was only a week. Being without the blonde for that long, only being able to see him for a few hours during the day was just pure torture.



Unlocking the front door, Sasuke wheeled Naruto passed the threshold and toed off his shoes before heading straight for the couch, figuring Naruto would want to relax there where he could be in the center of things instead of tucked away in the bedroom.



“Ready to be moved again?” he asked softly, Naruto was a bit out of it, the morphine having already taken its effect.



“Mmk,” Naruto mumbled, glancing around the living room. It took him a few moments to realize where he was, but he grinned when he recognized Sasuke’s apartment. However, instead of attempting to move himself, held his arms out weakly towards the raven. “Pick me up, S’uke? I don’t wanna move again.”



Sasuke chuckled but was glad to do what Naruto wished, sliding his arms gently under the blonde’s shoulders and knees, gently lifting the boy out of the chair and carried him slowly to the couch, setting him down on the soft cushions so he was laid out along the length of the couch.



This time, Naruto felt nothing as he was moved. There was no pain, but he did enjoy being in Sasuke’s arms for a few moments, until he was lying down. The couch was comfortable and although he was a little cold, he was too tired to care.



“I think I need a nap soon,” he grumbled, hating how much he ended up sleeping now.



“Sleep all you want baby... I’ll make you something to eat if you feel hungry.” Sasuke kneeled down next to the couch, draping a warm blanket over the slim body. “You haven’t eaten since this morning.”



Naruto sighed happily as the warmth of the blanket covered him and reached out to run his fingers through Sasuke’s hair. “I’m sorry you have to take care of me so much, S’uke. I can’t really do anything by myself…” He smiled as he dragged his thumb over Sasuke’s bottom lip. “You’re too good to me, S’uke. I don’t know what I ever did to deserve you.”



“I should be saying that... I mean, you got under my skin and saw who I was under my public image. No one’s ever done that before.” He kissed the boy’s lips before continuing.  “I just love you so much... that’s more than I’ve really ever felt about anyone in that regard.”



“Me too… Well, I never thought I would be able to love anyone after everything that’s happened to me. Guess you proved me wrong,” Naruto snickered, stealing another kiss before settling down on the couch. “I hate to ask, S’uke… but could you make some of your yummy soup for me after my nap? I am kinda hungry…”



Sasuke nodded and gently lifted Naruto’s legs, mindful of the injured ankle and sat down on the couch at the blonde’s feet, setting those legs in his lap. Grabbing the remote from the arm of the couch, Sasuke flipped on the TV and set the volume low enough that it wouldn’t disturb Naruto. He knew the teen wanted him close so he would stay with Naruto until he woke up.



Sasuke sighed as he thought about the case he had to put together. The charges were already filed and a preliminary court session was going to take place in about a week, that didn’t give him much time to prepare. He had the tapes stored with Sai and now all that was left was to go over them himself, something he was not looking forward to.



Naruto slept for a good hour and a half, barely even moving at all. He just completely passed out.  When he eventually woke, he was groggy and felt kind of irritated. Why, he didn’t know.



“S’uke…” he mumbled, sliding his uninjured arm over his eyes to shield them from the light. “Did you stay there the whole time? You don’t have to… You can do… stuff…”



Looking over at the direction the voice came from, Sasuke saw the blue eyes opened just a bit. “It’s ok... I don’t mind staying here while you sleep. I thought that’s what you wanted.”



“It is what I want… but that doesn’t mean you have to sit here and do nothing while I sleep… At least we’re home now, so I know you’re here somewhere.” He smiled softly and nudged Sasuke with his foot. “I mean, don’t you have lots of work to do now that you’ve taken my dad’s case? How’s that going, anyway?”



The case was one thing Sasuke didn’t like talking about with Naruto. He knew it was a touchy subject for the blonde and mention of it may only make Naruto worse in the end. But knowing his boyfriend, the blonde wouldn’t take ‘no’ for an answer.



“I still have to review a few things...” That’s all he was going to say about that. He was not about to mention that they were records of Naruto being raped and abused throughout his childhood. “And for the record, I was watching TV... that counts as ‘doing something’.” He smirked at the blonde then, hoping Naruto would ignore the first thing he said.



“Fine, don’t tell me,” the blond grumbled. He knew more had to be happening than that, but he didn’t want to start a fight. “But whatever you’re hiding, you know I’m gonna find out eventually. I’d rather find out from you than someone else…”



Deciding not to continue on about it, he turned his head to see what Sasuke was watching. It looked like some crime show. It made him smile. “I guess you’re right… Hey, have you heard from ‘Tachi at all? Does he know about me being in the hospital and stuff?”



Sasuke sighed mentally in relief, glad that Naruto was backing off for now. The blonde was right though, he had every right to know what was going on... all of it. Sasuke promised himself he’d tell Naruto... just not right then.



“He knows... he’s coming to see you actually, he should be here tomorrow.” That had been a difficult call to make. He knew how much Itachi cared for Naruto as well and it was hard to hear how much it effected his brother, he never liked seeing Itachi sad.



“Really?” Naruto perked right up, a bright smile overtaking his face. “He’s gonna come here? How come you didn’t tell me sooner?!” He nudged Sasuke with his foot again. “I’m excited now! I’ll have my two favorite Uchiha’s here… though you’re my favorite favorite…” the blond laughed, and then promptly flushed when his stomach growled loudly.



Sasuke couldn’t help but laugh at his boyfriend’s antics, he was just too adorable. “Well, I had other things on my mind. I’m sure I would have remembered before he showed up tomorrow.”



Handing Naruto the remote, the raven stood and headed toward the kitchen to start cooking. “I’ll make your soup... anything else you want?”



“I wish I could move,” Naruto pouted. “I liked helping you cook…” He shook his head as he started flicking through the channels, looking for something to watch. He couldn’t help feeling a little (or, a lot) sorry for himself. He was helpless. He couldn’t even get his own food. “No, not really. Well…Maybe a soda? I haven’t had one in forever…”



Sasuke nodded, disappearing into the kitchen and returning a moment later with a Sprite and handed it to the blonde. “You shouldn’t feel helpless, I’m happy to do this for you... I’ve told you this before.”



“I know I shouldn’t,” Naruto said as he took the soda and popped open the tab, leaning up a bit so he could take a sip. “But how would you feel if you couldn’t do anything for yourself, S’uke? If you couldn’t even get to the bathroom without help…”



It was humiliating and depressing – but not as much as knowing why he couldn’t do anything. He’d done a pretty good job at blocking out everything that had happened, but it was hard sometimes. He hadn’t even really cried over it – mostly because he was too drugged up to really feel the pain, but he knew he was getting to the point where he wasn’t going to be able to ignore it much longer. Sooner or later he was going to break down.



Sasuke stood there for a moment, not really knowing what to say. He had no idea what it was like for Naruto at that moment... But what else could he do for him? “Naruto... I promise I’m going to do everything I can to take care of you... not just physically, but emotionally as well. I want you to know that it’s ok... if you need to talk or cry or whatever you want to do...”



“I know, S’uke, but I’m okay,” Naruto grinned, pushing down the growing plethora of emotions. “I’m fine. Really.”



Obviously, that wouldn’t be believable, but right then he was okay. Sasuke was taking on a lot, and he didn’t want to bother him. Not only that, he didn’t want to let himself feel.



Pausing for a few more moments, Sasuke finally nodded. Naruto would come to him when he was ready and he didn’t want to push it.  “I’ll be back in a bit.” Kissing the blonde’s lips quickly, he turned and made his way into the kitchen once more; the sounds of pots being moved could be heard a few moments later.

TBC