An Indecent Affair

Chapter 18
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It was a quarter after one. The room was brightly illuminated by the high, afternoon sun and the workplace prepared for the ‘last-lap’ of its marathon now that lunch was officially over.

It was Friday, the day before the glorious, two-day weekend and spirits were exuberantly high or despairingly low, depending on who you asked. Those impatient for a little R&R didn’t think five o’ clock would come around fast enough while the more optimistic knew that time was a constant and the day would come to an end eventually. Neji wasn’t sure which side of the fence he belonged but while he wasn’t looking forward to spending another, lonely weekend, cooped up in his drab apartment, he also didn’t want this day to close.

It was Sasuke’s birthday and, for someone who struck him as the type to enjoy a celebration, especially since he would be the guest-of-honor, the Uchiha was reticently bitter.

Neji was familiar with the celebratory office parties thrown for anniversaries, birthdays and, sometimes even new additions to the managerial staff’s families. Akatsuki Shipping & Trading tried to create a familial environment for its employees by recognizing, not only career achievements but lifetime achievements as well. On one hand, it gave everyone a chance to unwind, mingle and get to know each other on a personal level during work hours On the other, it sometimes felt a bit forced and resulted in lost hours of productivity, especially since everyone was required to participate. Hell, even the Christmas parties were mandatory, with exceptions only for religious reasons.

These issues had been addressed many times in the past and those who preferred to just work, and leave the festivities to the party-goers, protested the loudest. From what he’d been told, many years ago, these gatherings were optional and anyone, from any floor, was welcome to participate, until a Chief Departmental Head, who was not well-liked by those who worked around him, received a very small attendance at the birthday fling he hosted in the break room. Needless to say, he was embarrassed but, instead of trying to be a kinder, more understanding boss, he petitioned such events be made obligatory under the guise of ‘no one feeling left out’.

A recreational committee was then formed, taking two staff members from each department who would then be responsible for organizing such activities for their respective floors. It was a compromise on everyone’s part but the parties were now more organized, less crowded and scheduled for shorter durations. Something Sasuke was very grateful for because if he’d received one more gift or had to eat one more slice of cake, he was going to burn the place down. Unfortunately for him though, the candles had already been lit and he had no access to the matches.

Once the fifteen minute gathering had dispersed, Sasuke barricaded himself within his office and refused to come out until the day was over. Neji assumed it was because he didn’t want to receive any more birthday well-wishes. And he was right.

Women from all over the building poured in, non-stop, to drop off cards, gifts or baskets and Neji had no idea just how popular the young Uchiha was with the ladies until today. Sakura was probably his number one fan though because no one came up more than she did. She’d pretend to have Neji search for a file while she slyly inspected each unwrapped gift to see who gave him what. The ones he hadn’t opened she’d look at the tags to find out who gifted the biggest ones and she’d lift the smaller packages and shake them lightly as if to discern what was inside.

There was one present in particular that she kept hovering over, one that had been given to Sasuke from an Ino in Accounting but, unlike the others, the green-eyed woman didn’t try to look through it as if she had x-ray vision, but glared hatefully at the exquisitely wrapped cube as if trying to ignite it with heat rays.

Neji found it too hilarious that the young woman would stress herself over something as insignificant as a gift, but then again… wasn’t he doing the same?

The brunette sighed and opened the bottom drawer of his desk to remove the package he’d kept hidden there from the moment he came in. He’d been too nervous to present it to the Uchiha this morning and too hesitant to give it to him at the little get-together. He didn’t want to hand it over with Sakura scouting around but now that he was all alone he still couldn’t sum up the courage.

He’d wrapped it himself, choosing a very thin, yet shiny roll. The paper was frail and crinkled easily so he was careful not to crease it while folding it around the oblong container and he wanted to get the pattern as parallel to the box as possible so it wouldn’t look as if he’d just slapped it on. Despite the expensive appearance of the wrapping, the varying widths of peach and maroon lines created a plain, yet, eye-catching pattern and there were no words, no pictures and no designs to take away from its simplicity. Neji opted to pass on a bow, making his present appear naked in comparison to the others adorned in colourful ribbons and curly streamers but, in his mind, Sasuke seemed too masculine for anything like that.

There was a tag glued to one corner. It was basic, yet efficient. Who it was from; who it was for. The writing was not fancy or written in calligraphy like some of the others, just his regular, everyday handwriting… with a heart as the dot over the ‘I’ in Sasuke’s last name.

Neji clicked his tongue and reached for the correction pen to blot it out. He hadn’t noticed that before, couldn’t even remember drawing it when writing it. It was probably a sub-conscious action on his part, much like the gift itself. He’d already got Sasuke a birthday gift in advance and he had no prior intention of buying a second so what compelled him this time? He’d also invested quite a bit of effort in this gift as opposed to the first and, as much as he didn’t want to admit it, he’d put quite a bit of thought into it too.

Well… not really. It was a spur of the moment thing as he was making his way home. The gift itself was nothing special but it was the presentation that he’d put most of his work into. It was very misleading, considering what was inside but, deep down, he really hoped Sasuke would like it.

“What’cha got there?”

Neji jumped with surprise at the low voice that disrupted the silence in the room and the object fell out of his hands and dropped to the ground. Sasuke saw it as he walked from the door he’d so stealthily opened after peeking out to make sure no one else was around and gave the startled Hyuuga a reassuring chuckle.

“If you’re so curious go ahead and open them, I don’t mind,” he said and fed two sheets of paper at a time into the shredder. “If you see something you like, keep it,” and he had to speak up over the grating noise of the machine while wishing he could stuff the lot of them in the shredder to meet a similar fate.

“I- I can’t do that,” Neji stammered then he cleared his throat and, telling himself now was as good a time as any, he approached the other man, his offering in an outstretched hand. “This one is from me.”

Sasuke placed the papers aside so he could turn to face the other man and the vibrant colours of the wrapping reflected within his dark eyes as he glanced upon it. He reached out to take it, the slight shaking of Neji’s hand gone unnoticed, as he grinned from ear to ear. “Wait a minute,” the Uchiha said with an amused drawl. “Didn’t you already get me a birthday gift?”

He’d expected Sasuke to bring that up and no matter how long and hard he tried to think up an excuse, he couldn’t find a plausible one aside from the truth. “I know that but I got the feeling you’d never use them since you prefer to go commando,” the older man teased able to find a situation where he could use that word in a sentence.

Sasuke chuckled at the Hyuuga’s keen foresight. He was right. The bundle of boxers remained the same way he’d received them, unopened within the box and the witty greeting card laid upon it like a plaque.

“So, I thought I’d get you something you’d actually wear this time,” Neji continued and his voice dropped to barely above a whisper before adding, “ and when I saw that… I immediately thought of you.”

Sasuke’s curiosity peaked at that and he never allowed another moment’s passage before he began tearing at the foil paper like a child on Chirstmas morning and Neji watched as the arduous minutes, that he’d spent carefully decorating the gift, were reduced to nothing more than a pile of rubbish in a matter of seconds. He didn’t mind it so much that Sasuke didn’t appreciate the effort he put into the presentation, it was the actual gift he was worried about. Well, he’d soon find out now that the box was opened and both pieces soon joined the discarded paper at his feet as he lifted the article of clothing to get a better look at it.

It was a black, sleeveless T-shirt made of soft, breathable cotton. He would have preferred it one size larger but it would still fit his lean frame comfortably. This was definitely his style, especially the obnoxious phrase, printed in bold letters to the front of the shirt which read: ‘I’m not opinionated; I’m just always right’. It captioned his personality perfectly and he couldn’t help but laugh at it.

“You… like it?” Neji asked with an uncertain smile and Sasuke stepped closer to him, wrapped an arm around his shoulders and planted a grateful kiss against his cheek.

“I love it!” he exclaimed and lifted the item so he could read what was going to be his new motto from now on.

The other man turned his head away so he could hide the blush that grew from the place where he’d been just kissed. “You’re just saying that.”

“Hn,” Sasuke scoffed and, as if to prove his point, he began to remove the shirt he was presently wearing so he could put on the one Neji gave him.

“Umm, Sasuke… wh- what are y-,” Hyuuga stammered as the other man began to undress and he quickly turned his reddening face away from the Uchiha’s exposed chest.

“You act like you’ve never seen me without my shirt on,” he teased then tossed his discarded shirt on the secretary’s desk and basked in his half-nudity for a few moments before re-dressing. His initial speculation had been correct. The shirt was a little snug but he still looked good in it. Hell, he looked good in anything. “You can turn around now,” the taller man chuckled when Neji continued to stare at the far wall. “I’m decent.”

It appeared as if he hadn’t heard him because his eyes remained affixed to the water cooler but they broke away and traversed across the carpet, and latched onto Sasuke’s black, wolverine boots. His lavender gaze slowly climbed up long legs, encased in dark, loose Levi’s until they reached the horizon where his waist band met the hem of the T-shirt. He sighed with relief when he realized he hadn’t been lied to and that the Uchiha was now fully dressed. “It looks good on you,” he smiled.

“Thanks,” Sasuke muttered, suddenly deep in thought, and he tapped a finger against his chin as he scrutinized the male just a few feet away from him. “Now it’s your turn.”

“My turn?” Neji blinked in befuddlement and before he could even ask what the other man was talking about, Sasuke closed the gap between them in two quick strides and his fingers were already on the second button after unclasping the first. “W- Wait,” Neji yelled in a panicked voice and even though he brought his hands up to Sasuke’s wrists, he didn’t try to pull them away.

“Relax Neji. It’s not what you think,” he cooed in an attempt to placate him. He made a sound of protest and bit his lower lip, in a rather adorable manner, before letting his hands drop to the sides.

He inhaled sharply once the last button was undone and his heart jumped at the prospect of Sasuke’s hands so close to his groin. Tiny shiveres crawled up the length of his spine when they moved from his stomach, to his shoulders, and tugged the article of clothing down his arms. The cold air assulted him immediately and the second Sasuke turned his back, Neji hugged himself, for warmth and modesty’s sake.

A chorus of angels sang ‘Hallelujah’ within the Uchiha’s mind the second that hideous Hawaiian print shirt hit the floor, (just how many of the damned things did Neji own?) and he debated with himself momentarily whether he should keep him topless for the rest of the day. As tempting and appealing as that notion was, he couldn’t put his lust over Neji’s comfort and, in an act of good will, he collected the shirt from the table and slipped it over Hyuuga’s head.

It was odd how dressing him was just as much a turn-on as undressing him and after he freed the silken locks from beneath the collar, Sasuke, for the first time, realized just how small the other man was.

They were both tall… almost the same height, actually but even from this close distance, Neji had to look up and Sasuke had to look down so their eyes could meet. But it was the vast difference in build that made Sasuke look like he was wearing a tank top and Neji look like he was dressed in a tent.

The Uchiha was broader and his shoulders wider than the other man. His arms were also slightly thicker and his hands a little bigger than Neji’s. His form was built for power to contain the latent strength he possesed in comparion to Neji’s dainty construct which housed a bold, yet compassionate will.

“It’s too big,” the shorter man muttered and tugged at the front of the shirt, watching it flap wildly against his thin body.

“It’s a lot better than what you had on just now, believe me,” Sasuke said and leaned over to retrieve the clothing in question before forming it into a ball and tossing it into the rubbish bin. By now, Neji knew not to complain. He was powerless to change the Uchiha’s unwavering mind and it wasn’t as if he never, subtly, replaced the items he threw away.

“I feel like a thug,” Neji giggled and inspected the sleeveless cut-outs where his arms protruded, like tooth-picks, from the large, gaping holes.

“Here, let’s try something,” and at his suggestion, Neji turned around so he could remove the band that kept his hair neatly bound at his back. Now that the inky strands were liberated, Sasuke spun him around, so they were facing each other again, before pulling a few over his shoulders. “Hmm…”

“What?” Neji asked, trying to read the blank expression on his face.

“Nothing,” and the way his voice escaped on a choked rasp proclaimed otherwise. “It’s just that, you look good with your hair like this.”

Neji balked. Why did he always have to say and do things like that to make him flustered?

“Oh, umm… thanks,” he forced on a shaky breath and he had to look away from that smoky, black glare that threatened to choke him. “It’s usually all over the place, that’s why I keep it tied at the back. I should just cut it, I know, but I never got around to it, and it grows back so fast too. I think it grew six inches in two months at one point. It’s always growing. I don’t have a problem with tangles though, which is a relief because, can you imagine all this in knots? It would be a headache, literally,” and he laughed awkwardy. He knew he was rambling, prattling on about his hair, of all things, but he couldn’t stop talking, couldn’t concentrate enough to tell his brain to make his lips stop moving. Not when he could feel Sasuke’s eyes on him that way. “I use this really great brand of shampoo. Actually, it’s a two-in-one shampoo and conditioner. It’s cost effective and it’s great for my hair type so I think it’s a very good dea-“

“Neji, am I making you nervous?”

Oh good! His mouth finally shut up. Now if only he could get it working just long enough to give Sasuke an answer…

He sighed, and the soft puff of air ghosted across the Hyuuga’s forehead. Maybe he should give him a little space right now. For some reason, Neji found him rather intimidating and, as flattering as that was, he wanted him to get over it soon.

It was Neji’s turn to sigh when the other man stepped away from him but it wasn’t from relief this time. It was despair.

He was reaching that apex where enough was enough and, after much deliberation, he’d decided he wanted to confront Sasuke with his recent feelings towards him. Reason being, he couldn’t work with him under these conditions. Everytime they were together, he became giddy-headed. It didn’t take much to make him blush anymore and even the most mundane of contact like a handshake or a pat on the back made him want to melt in Sasuke’s arms. Not to mention the fact that his scent had become a potent aphrodisiac and he found he would always seek him out just so he could sniff the air around him. It was a sick habit, and he was disgusted in himself for it but he couldn’t break it, and the fact that he was now wearing one of his crush’s shirts only provided a means to indulge licentiously in his addiction.

Neji flopped into his swivel-chair and tossed his head back against the seat. He closed his eyes and pulled the shirt collar above the bridge of his nose so he could inhale deeply of it.

Immediately, the dizzying aroma of sandalwood assaulted his senses. The cool, crisp fragrance of the cologne sent his head in a tailspin and the security and peace of mind he always associated with it soon followed. Even though he knew Sasuke was just a room away, he felt as if he were right here next to him. He could almost feel his arms around him right now…

“Hello, sexy,” Gaara breathed lustilly against his ear before planting a light kiss upon the rim of his lobe.

A startled cry escaped the Hyuuga’s lips and he bolted upright, breaking the obsessive hold the young red-head had around his shoulders.

“Nice threads,” Naruto voiced with an approving nod and two thumbs up.

“How did you- When- How long have you-?” Neji stuttered, yanking the shirt off his face and attempting to regulate his breathing. Those two were like annoying cartoon characters that kept popping out of anywhere and at anytime; moving silently and never announcing their arrival. Often times he noticed them before they got the drop on him but they surprised him this time, all because his attention had been occupied, and Neji hoped they hadn’t realized what he was doing.

“What’s up with the third degree?” Naruto growled, his playful disposition now replaced with a menacing scowl. “We have as much right to be up here as you do? You think you can have Sasuke all to yourself?”

The other man exhaled slowly. “No, that’s not what I meant,” he began in an apologetic tone. He couldn’t completely explain why but Neji sensed that this young delinquent had it in for him. He couldn’t blame him though, after what happened a few days ago when he failed to complete Naruto’s favor, but he got the feeling the boy always had something against him long before that and that incident only made it worse. Needless to say, he took a defensive stance on everything Neji had to say and, if he didn’t choose his words very carefully, the brash blonde would then jump on the offensive.

He wished he could go back in time a take back the nasty comment he made the first time they met. Wished there was someway he could start over with him; re-introduce themselves on a fresh slate. As one of Sasuke’s close companions, he interacted with him on a constant basis and everytime Naruto was around he became uneasy. He just wanted to get along amicably with him so he wouldn’t feel like he had to justify every little thing that was said. He didn’t mind if Naruto never saw him as a friend; he just didn’t want to be his enemy.

“I mean, you just surprised me, showing up unexpectedly like that,” and he tried to laugh it off but the youth’s tanned scowl only became darker.

“I like your hair like this,” Gaara said, disregarding the exchange taking place between the other two men as he stroked Neji’s loose hair with both hands. “You should try wearing it up though.”

“ ‘Showing up unexpectedly’?” Naruto echoed. “Oh, I’m sorry, are we breaking some chain-of-command? Neglecting to adhere to work policy? Is there some guideline we’re not following if we want to come see our friend?” His azure eyes glittered with anger, piercing the distraught pair locked on his and pinning him in place. But Neji couldn’t move even if he wanted to because Gaara was busying himself gathering the long strands into a heavy bob at the back of his head.

“Naruto, I- ow,” Neji yelped when Gaara tugged his head back sharply.

“Would you prefer if we called before showing up?” He took a step closer. Neji cringed when Gaara pulled a little too hard. “Should we set an appointment a day in advance?” Naruto slammed his hands on the desk as Gaara reached out for a rubberband to secure the bun in place. Neji choked back a sob at his terrible luck, being caught between a boisterous bully and a haphazard hairdresser.

“Leave him alone,” was Sasuke’s deep throated warning after he stepped out of his adjoining room to finish destroying the documents he’d forgotten about.

“Neji’s being a bitch,” Naruto pouted and hopped over to the machine so he could stand next to the dark-haired male.

“Why don’t you go play with the hair on your pubes,” Sasuke snapped at the little man. Insanely jealous that he had his hands in Neji’s hair.

“Kiss my ass, Uchiha,” Gaara replied nastily and snatched the band roughly out of Neji’s head so he could sling-shot it at Sasuke’s head.

He missed, and a thin tear trickled down Neji’s cheek at the stinging pain in his scalp. “I’ll be right back,” the abused quickly excused himself and went to hide in the bathroom just in case Gaara wanted to try a french twist next.

“Happy Birthday, Sasuke,” the blonde sang after throwing his arms around the taller man’s neck, and Gaara seethed in jealousy as he watched his boyfriend hug his lover’s brother. “I got you something,” Naruto chirped and reached into his pants pocket, but before he could even remove his gift, Sasuke spoiled the surprise.

“Wow, a silver chain. Thanks, Naruto.”

“You could at least pretend to be a little more grateful,” Naruto murmured under his breath at the flat response then went about affixing the thin piece of jewelry around the other man’s neck.

It wasn’t that the gift was bad, on the contrary, it was an exquisite piece, made of the highest quality silver. Each link was cut just so that the flat areas would catch and reflect the light, and it was woven so durably thin that he hardly even felt it resting against his skin. Sasuke liked necklaces like these and he had dozens of them at home.

Literally, because those were all Naruto ever got him.

Birthdays, Christmas, New Years, whenever there was an occasion where Sasuke was to receive a gift, he could count on getting a silver chain from Naruto. And it wasn’t because the bubble headed blonde lacked creativity either.

It was hard shopping for Sasuke. He had very particular tastes and there was no guarantee that something that sparked his interest one day would be the same thing that caught his eye the next. Besides, what did you get for someone that had everything? Hell, even Itachi stopped buying gifts for his little brother long before they had their disagreement.

Aside from Neji, Naruto was the only one who’s presents Sasuke actually cared about and, at first, he got a few good chuckles from the sex toys and odd, fertility carvings, until the Christmas day he went ape-shit over a “Queer as Folk”, necklace with two male insignia pendants. It took him no less than two hours to convince his friend that he really did like it and that he wasn’t being sarcastic and, since that day, Naruto got him nothing but chains.

“I’m sorry,” Sasuke smiled and reached out to tousle the already messy bed of hair. “You’re right, I should be more grateful.”

“Eh, don’t worry about it,” Naruto gushed and dismissed it with a wave of his hand. “So, you ready to go?” he then asked and started bounding on the balls of his feet.

Sasuke took a quick glance at his watch and frowned. “It’s still a little early, don’t you think?”

“Pishaw! You’re the boss here and it’s your birthday. You’re entitled to at least half-day off, right?”

“True,” Sasuke agreed with a nod. “But things are different now. I have Neji working under me-,”

“You wish he was working under you,” Gaara cut in with a snide sneer, earning himself a steely glare from the Uchiha.

“Leave him here,” Naruto snorted. “He’s just going to be a wet blanket.”

“I can’t do that,” Sasuke protested. He couldn’t leave Neji alone in this building with that asshole. True he couldn’t get in this department through the security but who was to stop him from abducting Neji in the lobby? “I’d feel better if he were with me.”

“Nooo,” the youth whined, his blue eyes pleading with him to reconsider. “Give him the day off and let him go home early or something. He’s only going to spoil our fun.”

“He’s not going to spoil anything,” Sasuke argued in his defense. “Neji’s just as fun-loving as the rest of us.”

“I say we get him drunk. Problem solved,” Gaara suggested lechereously.

“Oh great, just what we need. A sloshed school marm puking chunks everytime he tries to tell us to sit up straight and don’t slouch,” Naruto ranted in exasperation.

“That’s enough!” Sasuke’s booming voice reverberated within the room, silencing any and all further debate. “It’s my birthday and if I want Neji to come with us then he’s coming with us and that’s final.”

Gaara hid his glee behind a straight face but Naruto didn’t bother trying to mask his disappointment. “This night is gonna totally blow,” he uttered to no one in particular.

Sasuke placed his hands upon the despondent youth’s slumped shoudlers and flashed him a wide, confident smile. “Tonight isn’t going to suck just because Neji’s coming along. He’s not used to this kind of lifestyle so it’s all new to him. Once he’s in a relaxed atmosphere, and with people he knows, he’s going to blend right in.”

Naruto sighed loudly and his shoulders drooped another inch. “Yeah, I guess you’re right. I just don’t want to feel like my dad’s looking over my shoulders when all I want to do is hang loose, y’know.” He stopped to mull over something for a moment before lifting his head and meeting Sasuke’s gaze. The blazing spark flickering within his eyes once again. “Okay, I’ll give him a chance,” he compromised. “But if he starts crackin’ people over the knuckles for using the wrong fork I’m bolting.”

Sasuke laughed at the accompanying imagery and Gaara practically drooled at the thought of Neji with a ruler. “I assure you, nothing like that is going to happen,” the brunette promised, and Neji was going to make sure nothing like that happened as well.

It wasn’t like him to eavesdrop, but he’d barely made it down the corridor before he heard his name. It was curiosity and self-consciousness that made him wonder why they were talking about him when he had his back turned, and as unsettling as it was to find out this way just how boring he was, at least he now had a greater understanding on how Naruto saw him.

It was understandable that someone as out-going, extroverted and reckless would automatically form a dislike for someone as reserved as he was. In his mind, Neji was the tattle-tale, the goody-two-shoes, the teacher’s pet. He’d have to try to change that image if he wanted Naruto to accept him as one of his own.

He was single now, worked for a tidy sum and had no pressing responsibilites in his life right now. There was no reason for him to take everything so seriously and he had missed out on the more experimental stage of his young adult phase because of his studies and various part and full-time jobs.

Now was the perfect time for him to catch up on all he missed out on before he got too old to enjoy it to the fullest and, in the process, he’d show Naruto just how fun-loving he could be.

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Hooray! Another update.

I’ve been having problems with my Internet Service Provider and had no internet access for two weeks ;_; I got it working again after much calling and decoding cryptic messages from the service center. Heck, I know enough now to do their job, XD

The other reason updates are so few and far between is sheer laziness on my part and lack of drive to finish my fics. Don’t get me wrong. I want to finish them, I just don’t have the desire to work on them sometimes.

Well, I managed to write another chapter and inspiration is already niggling at me to start another fic which I don’t want to until I finish at least one of my existing fics. I also want to try writing an AU Sasuke / Naruto or Sasuke / Naruto / Neji and I have a few ideas.

I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter. It’s not one of my favourites but it’s more of an exposition leading into why Naruto feels the way he does about Neji. Naruto doesn’t really hate him, they just misunderstand each other.

See you next time.