The Chemicals Between Us

A/N: Dom-fuck the other chapter, this one is my favorite xD

The Chemicals Between Us


After parking the slightly soiled jeep back in its place in the garage they headed inside, Iruka keeping on the taller man’s warm jacket while making the tea as Sasuke disappeared down the hall to his office to make a phone call.

The young heir convinced the waiter to have their meal delivered, adding in a fine gratuity before he returned to the kitchen where Iruka had their hot tea waiting.

They sat in silence as the sipped at their brews. Except this deep quiet wasn't filled with hateful tension or uneasiness. It was excitement over something new, careful and made with baby steps. Iruka couldn't seem to collect his thoughts.

Was Sasuke happy about this? Did he really, really want to try again? Did he think they were just going to be friends? Could Iruka have Anko bring some of his clothes over? Why hadn't Sasuke asked who he'd slept with yet? Could Iruka have Anko bring all his clothes over? Would that be moving too fast?

The brunette glanced away, hiding his blush behind his cup.

Sasuke was watching Iruka as he drank his tea, the smaller man sometimes giving him quick glances before he flushed a charming pink.

"You know," he paused when doe brown eyes looked up at him. "If you're going to stay here, you don't have to wear my clothes, I know they don't fit well."

Sasuke's gaze moved down to the low riding pants and the patch of honey colored hip they were exposing. "If you like-"

"We're not having another naked day," Iruka joked, cheeks bursting with a vibrant rose color. "Not yet at least."

Sasuke smirked as he brought his cup up to his lips. "...if you'd like to go get some of your clothes." The younger finished his sentence before taking a drink, his infamous smirk not waning.

The brunette grinned in reply, "How long do you think I'll be here? …I need to know so I can pack properly."

"As long as you want," Sasuke said, reaching for the porcelain pot to pour himself another cup of the slightly sweet liquid.

Iruka beamed, "Alright...but if that's the case then you aren't getting a boat. It would look ugly on that lake."

Sasuke blinked a few times looking over at the professor. "I have a boat already..."

The professor glanced over his tea. "You do? I never knew that."

The Uchiha nodded. "It's on the ocean. I could take you sometime if you'd like. I mostly let Shikaku and Shikamaru use it when they like to go on 'fishing trips'." He set the pot back down before lifting his cup.

Iruka looked uneasy about the idea. "I've never been on the ocean before."

"You only really notice on rough days. It's peaceful," the younger said in a reminiscent tone.

"I..." the smaller man hesitated, dreaded memories of his father and a king crab bubbling up. "I can't swim."

"It’s a big boat, you never have to get into the water if you don't want to." Sasuke replied before the doorbell ran throughout the house. He glanced over at the front door before remembering he had ordered dinner.

Iruka got up to answer it, wincing as he was careful of his bare feet picking his way across the entryway he hadn't cleaned up yet. It was a childish impulse he’d never grown out of: when you're angry, throw something and yell. It also worked as a defense mechanism. He'd never been one of the strong boys, being picked on made his aim true.

He heard Sasuke behind him and glanced down at the taller man's injured hand, deciding instead to pick up the mess of porcelain before either one of them got hurt again.

"Could you get the door?" he asked needlessly as he knelt down.

Sasuke nodded and slipped past Iruka, opening the door just enough to exchange the bags of food and the cash he had pulled from the drawer before thanking the man and closing the door behind him.

"I'll help you with that, just let me set this down." Sasuke stated as he passed by Iruka. He returned with a small vacuum and the trashcan from the kitchen.

"Thank you," the brunette said as he carefully placed the broken pieces into the bag. "I...I'm sorry, was this important?"

The younger inspected the remnants of the broken vase and crystal bowl. "They were gifts, I believe one was from the Hyuuga's, I don't remember where the others are from...Tsume ordered most of the small stuff."

Iruka still felt guilty despite Sasuke's dismissive tone and frowned as they finished up. "Let me clean you're hand again after we're done eating," he instructed.

"Alright." The raven agreed before he vacuumed up the smaller shards of the broken glass, emptying out the canister once they were finished.

They put steamed vegetables in Iruka's meal, Sasuke forgetting to tell them not to. He stared dispassionately at his carton of food, certainly not pouting, but getting close to it.

They ended up switching their dinners just so the brunette wouldn't have to spend the rest of the night picking out the vegetables he hated. When Sasuke dared to chuckle at the situation, Iruka ate one of the other’s cherry tomatoes out of spite.

After a few minutes of silence, Sasuke looked over at the almost purring professor as he ate his dessert happily. "Am I allowed to sleep in my bed yet?" he asked, taking a long drink of his tea.

Iruka blushed darkly as he pulled the chocolate covered strawberry from his lips. "I never said you weren't allowed."

"The kitchen appliances told me differently." The younger replied with a slightly arched brow.

"You must have gotten the wrong idea," Iruka retorted.

"I think I might have gotten hit in the head one too many times." Sasuke's lips threatened to smirk.

Iruka's shoulders shook as he fought not to laugh. "I thought I was improving your reflexes."

"My reflexes were good until the alarm clock." Sasuke took another long sip.

"Then I need to train them more?" the brunette asked innocently.

"I don't think that will be necessary." Sasuke turned to look at Iruka who was picking up another chocolate covered strawberry.

Iruka laughed lightly, rolling his eyes. "Yes you can sleep in your bed...until I decide to kick you out of it again."

He smiled widely and looked up the strawberry he'd been eyeing all through dinner. He twirled it in the light, watching the chocolate dripping over it shimmer. The professor hummed his approval and put the fruit to his lips, nibbling the dark coating off and savoring it.

The chocolate stained his lips, but was washed away when he bit into the strawberry. Some juice escaped him, only to be caught by his finger. He slid the digit into his mouth, nearly moaning as he enjoyed the sweet taste he rarely indulged in.

Once Iruka bit into the plump red fruit, Sasuke couldn't watch any longer. He slid his eyes closed and shifted in the chair before glancing up and out of the window, taking a long drink. The smaller man was obviously completely unaware of the sexual allusion he had just preformed.

The rest of dinner was silent and comfortable, filled with furtive glances at each other. Afterwards, Iruka finished unpacking the room he'd been working on before, dusting and cleaning the weights where'd they'd fallen, vowing to ask Sasuke to help him with that tomorrow.

The Uchiha went back into his office, but this time he left his door open so he could hear the brunette move around. It made Iruka blush. When he was finished with what he could do in that room, he yawned tiredly, stretching his hands high above his head to pop his back. He took a quick shower before padding down the stairs and peeking into Sasuke's office.

"Are you coming to bed?" he asked quietly, his blush flashing across his cheeks.

Sasuke looked up from his laptop where he had been typing to let Iruka know he had heard him before glancing down at the time. It was rather late.

"Yes, just let me save."

He turned back to the screen quickly saving his work and shutting the top before rolling back in his chair and heading toward Iruka. For the first time since he’d moved in, Sasuke's office lights were turned off.

The brunette smiled warmly, dressed in one of the few pajama sets the younger owned. The blue and green plaid was rolled up four times around his ankles and wrists so he'd be able to walk and use his hands. He led Sasuke's up the stairs, his blush a dashing pink as they turned off all the lights on the way up.

"You smell like deer," he informed the taller man.

Sasuke chuckled lightly. "I was planning on a shower." He let Iruka open the bedroom door before following him in.

"Mm, good," the smaller man teased. "You'd stink up my nice bed."

He glanced behind him before grinning, stifling a yawn before he flipped back the covers and slid under them. A pleasured sigh escaped him as he stretched out on his stomach, coyly looking over his shoulder to see if Sasuke had any protests to which side of the bed he'd claimed.

Being as he usually slept in the middle of the bed, it didn't matter to the younger what side he was given, the couch already having done the its damage to his back.

After finding some pajama bottoms and a t-shirt, Sasuke disappeared into the bathroom, emerging about ten minutes later dressed while his hair was dripping dry.

Iruka was lying on his side, thick lashes tucked against his slightly rounded cheeks as he breathed steadily. He drifted, but wasn't fully asleep yet with a pillow stuck between his legs.

The younger quietly deposited his dirty clothes in the hamper with the rest of the clothes that Iruka had been wearing before pulling on the snug fitting t-shirt. He climbed into the bed careful as not to disturb Iruka as he settled on his side, lying for a while before sleep overtook him.

Iruka smiled lightly as he nuzzled his face against the cushion, happy to feel the impression from Sasuke's body behind him.

Small feet padded softly on the carper as dark eyes scanned their surroundings. His heart raced inside his small chest already aware of what was coming but could do nothing to stop it. Slowly as he headed down the hall he grew, only aware of the transformation by the height of his surroundings.

Instead of everything going by slowly, the blood running down his mother’s calf, his father lying over her torso as to protect her, the images flashed by quickly, interlaced with images of his first night with Iruka tied in the bathroom stall before being pulled away.

Then everything was blindingly white for a second, the grass he felt between his toes was moist, but instead of something light and beautiful there was a series of clicks, the last one released the bright light from his vision. Itachi's face came into focus and the gun pressed to his temple he was now aware of.

A smirk slowly curled onto almost equally fair lips as he cocked the gun. "I'll be back, you can't escape me."

Another click and then everything went red.

Sasuke sat up, his shirt clinging to his sweaty skin even as the cool night air rolled over him, sending a slight chill up his spine. His stomach churned and threatened to release its contents causing him to toss the covers off him and turn, placing his feet on the floor.

The remnants of his nightmare continued to float through Sasuke's head while he sat trying to cool off his body, bring overheated and struggling to come down from the stress of his mind.

Iruka stared him, having been watching the taller man while he'd groaned and frowned through his sleep. He slid over slowly, not knowing how the other would react. "Sasuke?" he asked softly.

The younger's body tensed up suddenly then relaxed having forgotten that the professor was there. He turned his head to glance over his shoulder at the smaller man. "I'm alright."

Iruka licked his lips nervously, crawling over to Sasuke's side, spreading his knees around the broad waist. "It's okay..." he soothed gently, winding his arms around his lover from behind, "Do you want to take a walk?"

Sasuke relaxed slightly though his hands still gripped the side of the bed tightly. "No, I just need some water."

The brunette got up quickly, padding out the door and down the stairs. He chewed his lower lip as his filled up a glass, wondering what Sasuke had been dreaming about and whether or not he could help. His nightmares had stopped a while ago, or at least, they were less frequent.

He'd heard Sasuke getting up in the middle of the night sometimes before, pacing around until the early morning. Iruka sighed and went back, offering a soft smile as he walked in front of the raven.

"Do you think it would help if you talked about it?"

Sasuke's instincts took over and he compartmentalized his feelings. "Not really," he said softly, quickly taking the glass of cold water he was being handed from Iruka. He glanced up at the smaller man and saw the disappointment in the doe brown gaze.

Iruka hesitated, sliding behind Sasuke onto the bed and lying down on his side, looking toward the windows.

"Afterwards I could only take baths for a month," he said softly. "I was terrified of the shower. When I finally started using it again, I had to have Anko there with me.... So...whatever your nightmare was about...I'll understand."

Sasuke sat on the edge of the bed, his mind slowly trying to process everything while his body regulated his breathing and heartbeat. He sighed before turned to look at Iruka who was facing away from him.

"It’s the same dream I had after my family was killed." Sasuke started, setting down the half empty glass.

"What is it about?" the brunette asked, waiting patiently.

"I found them all... after Itachi slaughtered them. I was seven," Sasuke turned to look out the window, staring out across the lake.

"I just keep walking down the hall to my parent’s room... my mother..." He furrowed his brows, pausing as he tried to think how to describe the images without too many details.

Iruka frowned slightly, the information new to him. He rubbed his scar before reaching back with a small sigh, interlacing his fingers with Sasuke's. Slowly he tugged until the younger settled behind him.

The brunette loved feeling dwarfed by Sasuke's body and smiled as he pressed his back against the broad chest, wrapping the strong arm around his waist as he let the other man collect his thoughts.

Sasuke stared blankly out the window, not looking at anything in particular past the tinted glass. They were silent for a few minutes before he continued. "I found her...my father. ... They were on the bed, he was over her, protecting her, but they were already gone."

He felt Iruka's body tighten against his own. "Itachi was just standing in the corner, waiting for me... He still had the gun... I tried to attack him but he just knocked me back into the bed." Sasuke paused again.

"It took me a minute to get up, it was wet, and I ran outside, but he somehow got out there before me. He talked before knocking me out.... It just... they came back but keep changing..." He hesitated not wanting to tell Iruka the he dreamed of him shooting him.

The smaller man drew his fingers up and down the arm wrapped around his waist, searching for something to say that would help Sasuke be okay again. He couldn't think of anything, knowing that the nightmares would either come or stop no matter what he did.

He nuzzled his cheek against the pillow beneath him. "Is that why you haven't been sleeping?" he asked gently.

Sasuke took in a deep breath. "Mostly, yes." he answered.

"Only mostly?" Iruka shifted and rolled over onto his back, glancing to the side so he could watch the other. He smiled lightly, bringing his hand up to softly feather his touch over Sasuke's brows and jaw and cheeks.

"It's not so much the dreams, it’s what they changed into... the nausea doesn't help much either." Sasuke's dark eyes slid down to regard the smaller man.

Iruka lay his hand down between them as pale fingers twitched slightly over his stomach. "What's changed?"

The younger took in another deep breath. "I'm not a kid anymore in the dream... with what's happened..." He furrowed his brows. "It doesn't matter."

"It does to me," the brunette answered. "It's alright if you don't want to tell me."

Sasuke nodded. "I'd rather not. Not right now." Dark eyes glanced back up at the window as he remembered the different variations of the dreams he had had.

Iruka paused, his doe eyed gaze darting away before he shifted onto his other side, now fully facing Sasuke. He pressed himself as close as he could to the taller man, remembering with sudden accuracy how well they fit against each other.

"It's alright," he said with a smile, tucking his head into the crook of Sasuke's arm and wrapping his leg around his waist. "You can tell me some other time."

"Alright." Sasuke moved to better accommodate Iruka's body against his, slowly closing his eyes. "You should go back to sleep, I didn't mean to wake you."

The smaller man grinned, watching his hand lay over the broad chest beneath him. "Mmm, I was having a good dream too. You'll have to make it up to me tomorrow...by helping me set up your gym. I can't move the weights you have."

Sasuke gave a soft smile and nodded. "Alright. It's a deal.”

Iruka let his eyes flutter shut, extremely content and bordering on ecstatic as he cuddled closer. He gave a light sigh before being lulled to sleep by the rise and fall of Sasuke's chest.

When Sasuke woke it was late in the morning and the smell of food surrounded him. Iruka was no longer pressed against him and he suddenly couldn't remember when he had fallen into a dreamless sleep.

He headed downstairs, the aroma of breakfast growing heavier until he was in the kitchen where Iruka was at the stove.

The brunette smiled brilliantly in that way it seemed only he had mastered, chasing away bad thoughts and lingering doubts. It only grew when Sasuke ambled over to see what he was making.

"Good morning," he said. "Neji called, I wrote the message down for you...I also asked him to order a replacement for everything I broke. I've already paid for it, so you can't argue."

"You didn't have to do that." Sasuke stated as he moved past Iruka to the notepad where the message had been scribbled down. Apparently there was a meeting he needed to attend.

"So which room is the gym?" Sasuke dropped the pad of paper back onto the counter facedown.

Iruka cocked an eyebrow indignantly at the taller man. "Three doors down on your left...you can't really lift those weights can you? I can call Gai and Lee if you need help."

Sasuke's expression feigned hurt for a second. "I can actually." he answered, turning,

Iruka moved the pan he was cooking in over to a cooler burner, shutting off the one he was using before following after Sasuke. His doe eyes were wide and curious as he entered the room after the other, blushing slightly at the mess.

"Sorry, that box wasn't made to carry that much weight...you can really move one? I...I couldn't get any of them to budge an inch...."

Sasuke walked right over to the box, lifting up the first set of weights with ease. "Where do they go?" He was at a loss, not knowing what went where and he had purchased them.

Iruka looked at him dumbly. "How...um...there, on the rack. I got the smaller ones on...."

Sasuke began moving each weight over to the frame with the rest of them, each time they increased in size and weight, giving the younger a workout he wasn’t completely prepared for but continued none the less.

When the raven was finished, he was panting and had beads of sweat on his forehead and some rolling down his back. "Is there anything else?"

"You can take off your shirt if you want," Iruka muttered distractedly.

He stared at Sasuke's chest for a few long seconds before glancing up after realizing he was being talked to. He adjusted his glasses and then looked up with a perfectly straight face and large doe eyes.

"I think the weight rack...would look better over there," he suggested, pointing to the other side of the room.

Sasuke lifted a brow but contained his knowing smirk. "Are you sure?"

"Oh yes," Iruka assured, even nodding his head to further convince the other. "It's better for the energy flow of the gym."

"The energy flow," Sasuke repeated, nodding.

He knew he couldn’t lift the entire rack itself, instead he simply lifted weights off, setting them down onto the floor next to the stand before moving it with the smallest weights still attached.

"Here?" He was headed over to the other side of the room.

Iruka's eyes were flashing over the smooth muscle tensed in Sasuke's strong arms, his heart fluttering a little faster. The younger looked to be lifting the heavy frame effortlessly. The brunette had only been able to move it an inch before he just gave up. Absently he noted that the rack being over by the tall windows did open the room up a bit.

He took a seat on the treadmill, probably the only thing he'd use in here, idly letting his doe brown gaze sneak over Sasuke's well developed form. And it wasn't his fault either. Sasuke should know better than have worn such a tight shirt.

The smaller man felt he had every right to ogle the fine specimen of testosterone in front of him. He hummed a quick reply to Sasuke's question, not really paying attention since the younger was bending in a way that made his broad shoulders flex.

Sasuke set the metal rack down in between two of the windows, settling it against the crisp white wall. He turned, shrugging his shoulders as the shirt clung tightly to his damp back. Growling slightly in annoyance, the younger pulled the shirt off and wiped the sweat from his forehead before dropping it onto the floor in front of the stand.

Once he centered the rack between the windows, Sasuke began the tedious task of carrying the weights over to the rack and putting them in their place. He gave the smaller man a few glances, noting that Iruka's eyes never stopped following him.

The brunette couldn't stop blushing. Or grinning for that matter.

A stupid and full grin, for as much as he tried to fight it, kept spreading across his lips. He couldn't decide if he looked like an idiot or a cat that had caught the canary. His intensely focused gaze refused to stray from Sasuke's back.

Oh he loved Sasuke's back. And his chest. And his arms. And...well Iruka wasn't very picky when it came to Sasuke's body. He loved all of it.

Especially when it was leaning over him, hot and heavy and thrusting, or when it was under him and making him writhe and bounce and scream.

He especially loved it behind him...Iruka was going to have to stop thinking. His cheeks were already a brilliant red and he could feel the heat all the way up to the tips of his ears.

It only took Sasuke about thirty minutes to move the various weights to the other side of the room, twice, before he was finished and fully doused in sweat.

It was warmer in the room with the sun pouring in and beating down upon him, but he didn't mind doing this since Iruka had taken on the monotonous task of unpacking and setting up the other rooms in his home.

When Iruka didn’t answer him the first few times of calling out the professor's name, Sasuke knelt down in front of the smaller man and shook his shoulders. "Iruka... "

The brunette had a Cheshire grin as he leaned forward quickly and pinned Sasuke's lips with his own. "Hm?" he mumbled coyly, tilting his head so he could deepen the kiss as he wrapped his arms around the pale man's neck.

It only took the younger a second to get over the sudden action before he kissed back, sitting on his haunches to better balance himself. "Was there anything.... else... you wanted.... me to .... do.... before breakfast?" Sasuke got out between kisses.

Iruka pressed forward, crawling on his knees between Sasuke's thighs. He pushed the taller man on his butt, slowly moving to straddle his lap as their quick kisses continued. A moan escaped him before he smiled in a flirty way, cocking his head.

"There...mmm, are lots...of things..." he laughed and accepted Sasuke's tongue, sucking on it and massaging it to encourage the slick muscle to stay.

Sasuke ran his hands up Iruka's thighs, leaving them to rest on the slender hips while they kissed, the affection more than welcome since their last frustrated activities. He let Iruka move, still unsure how comfortable the smaller man was with him and wasn't willing to push it only to have Iruka panic and run away like the last time.

Sly doe eyes peeked out from thick lashes as Iruka leaned back, pulling Sasuke on top of him as he wrapped his legs around the other man. He lay over the plush white carpet, his unbound locks spreading wildly around his head as he mimicked a smirk he'd grown to know extremely well.

"I think the weight rack needs to be moved to the other side of the window...better lighting."

Sasuke's smirk appeared as he held himself just above Iruka. "It was just over there..." He arched a brow, both knowing that this was a little teasing game.

"It should be a few inches to the right from where it started," the brunette said, hands trailing down the younger's slick torso as his eyes followed. "Or maybe they just don't look good in this room at all..."

"You have all day to watch me lift heavy things around, but you have to come with me tomorrow." The raven's grin grew.

"I always come first though," Iruka said innocently, his expression carefully devoid of lecherous intent.

Sasuke's brow arched. "Sometimes twice," he answered.

The smaller man blushed heavily, fighting not to smile. "That's your doing, not mine...maybe we should try for thrice?"

"We've hit that before if I recall..." Dark eyes narrowed mischievously.

The corner of Iruka's mouth twitched. "I don't remember that, it must not have been very good."

"Really? I guess that means I'll have to refresh your memory." The Uchiha's sly smirk grew when he felt the smaller man's erection pulse gently against his bare stomach.

Iruka gave a contemplating sigh. "No...I don't think I have the time. So much to do you know..." his lips finally broke out into the shy and flirty and teasing smile as he eased from under Sasuke. "I'm sure Neji is waiting for you to call him back."

"Oh, that's too bad..." Sasuke sat up as Iruka stood, arching a brow when they both left the gym, Iruka heading toward the kitchen and him, his office.

The quick pinch to his rear made Sasuke startle slightly, much to the brunette's satisfaction before he scurried off against retaliation. It was fun to be able to play like this again.

After their breakfast, Iruka went back to cleaning and Sasuke was pulled back into the office on a conference call with Neji. When that was over, the Hyuuga kept Sasuke on the phone, knowing his plans for the next day by the seemingly random comments Sasuke made every time Iruka passed by his office.


"I can't swim," the brunette answered when Sasuke told him about the ocean as he started on laundry.


"I've never snorkeled and I don't want to," he said when carrying a box of books passed the door after Sasuke tried to tempt him.


"I don't have a license for a car, I doubt I could drive a boat," he snapped when he went by again.


Sasuke was as relentless as Iruka's excuses.

"I hate crab," he bit out when the Uchiha tried a different approach.

He paused and planted his hands on his sturdy hips, narrowing his doe brown eyes. "Neji is he supposed to be working right now?"

There was a careful silence as if the lawyer was weighing the pros and cons of answering Iruka, "...yes."

Iruka gave Sasuke a pointed look, "Stop it, I'm not going and that's final."

The only reason the police officer at the other end of the pier didn't come see what they were doing was because Iruka wasn't quite struggling that noticeably. He really didn't want to draw attention to them, but Sasuke was incredibly strong when he wanted to be and all those damned muscles the professor had fawned over had now turned against him.

He dug his heels into the thick planks as Sasuke shoved him from behind, obviously enjoying himself and still partly amused that Iruka had been mistaken for a female when the receptionist working at the desk had seen him from behind.

The smaller man had a cute blush across his features as he tried to move his legs forward so he could walk on his own. Every few seconds his knees would start to tremble and his courage would dash away. Sasuke kept him from bolting out of courtesy of course.

Iruka gritted his teeth, mumbling viciously at the younger as he tried to dodge around Sasuke's form. He was caught around the waist, the life jacket doing nothing but hinder his speed. The raven hadn't laughed when Iruka insisted on putting it on before they had even seen the water and for that he was thankful. The professor took one step forward on his own before bulking.

"Which one is yours?” he demanded.

Sasuke pointed as they were still on the main docks, their day of cleaning had bled into early morning and Neji had promised not to call for at least twenty-four hours so that Sasuke could take Iruka out onto the ocean. He pointed to the far end where the yachts were anchored at much larger intervals.

"It's the largest one there. The white one on the end."

Iruka adjusted his glasses and squinted at the black text written on the boat. "The Sharingan...? What does that mean? ...and Sasuke that's not a boat, that's a ship! You can't drive that on your own...I guess we can't go."

Sasuke chuckled. "I can drive that, actually." he replied, lightly nudging Iruka.

The brunette scowled. "How do you even get out that far?"

"I can show you." The younger smirked, leading them forward slightly. "Once you get on the boat you won’t even notice we are on water. It's just like a house. Trust me."

"Sasuke..." Iruka looked worried. "What if the boat sinks?"

"It won’t," Sasuke replied seriously. "And if it does, there are safety boats and tracking beacons. You can't take a boat out this large without someone knowing."

The professor still frowned. "...I'm uncomfortable with this."

"Will you just give it a chance, if you don’t like it, we can leave." The raven promised, turning Iruka around to look at him.

Doe brown eyes glanced away. "Right, okay," he sighed. "I suppose a few hours wouldn't hurt..."

"Alright." Sasuke smirked. "You can pick where we stay for the night." He added while they were walking down the long dock towards his yacht.

"In bed, at home," Iruka muttered sourly.

Sasuke chuckled lightly as they reached his docking area, unlocking the gate with a key code.

Once they had pulled away from the harbor and had driven out a little ways, Iruka seemed to grow more accustomed to the ship, the gentle rocking while they moved was all that could be felt. After about an hour they decided on a secluded looking area to drop anchor. Now that they were still, it was as if they weren’t even on a boat.

"It's not so bad.... would you like a tour?" Sasuke asked.

When the professor nodded, the younger led the smaller man through the ship and each floor, as well as explaining the things they had to ensure their safety, and after a little coaxing he even managed to get Iruka out of the life jacket.

They made lunch before going up to the small pool, the professor scared to go into the ocean. While Sasuke was gathering their things to take back inside with the night quickly approaching, Iruka was standing by the railing, looking down at the surprisingly placid ocean.

When a sudden cry erupted from the brunette, Sasuke jumped, thinking something was wrong.

The smaller man looked completely awed as Sasuke ran up to him. "Look!" he pointed down at the water.

Smooth, streamline shapes were gliding beneath the surface, moving around so quickly that it was hard to keep track off them. Iruka was practically vibrating with excitement, gasping when the animal of his namesake broke free of its watery home and twirled high in the air before splashing back down.

Sasuke chuckled and watched the group of dolphins swam past the large boat, Iruka moving down the railing with them as he smiled happily.

The brunette gave a wistful sigh. "I wish I could swim..."

"I could teach you, or you could hold onto me." Sasuke answered as the creatures seemed content with them watching while they swam around catching their dinner in the warm water.

Iruka looked momentarily terrified. "I don't think so."

"Not even in the pool?" Sasuke asked as they continued to watch the dolphins.

"There's...just so many things that could go wrong," Iruka said, struggling for an excuse as he glanced in the direction of the pool.

"I'd be right there." Sasuke waited for Iruka's eyes to pass his own. "You don't have to. We can always go back to the house...if you want."

The smaller man rubbed his scar irritably, half wanting to swim and half not. "I don't...well," he looked up at the Uchiha, forcing a smile as he scratched the back of his head nervously. "It...couldn't hurt to try once."

Sasuke gave the professor a quick smirk. "I think Sai left some clothes the last time we used the boat, I'll see if he left any trunks while I change."

Iruka watched him go before walking slowly over to the pool like it would pounce on him.

The last swimming experience he'd had was when he was five and was running around the pool at his daycare. He'd fallen in and breathed in a lungful of water. For weeks afterwards he had refused to even take baths.

It was just a hard feeling to shake; water getting in your mouth, up your nose, down your throat... Iruka shuddered and stepped back from the clear pool with his arms crossed. At least it didn't look that deep. He didn't think he'd be able to stand on the bottom, but Sasuke could.

He sighed tragically and turned when he heard his lover come up from the lower deck. The brunette's concerned gaze disappeared in an instant as Sasuke loped toward him dressed in black trunks that fell to his knees. Doe brown eyes instantly scanned the strong chest lustfully, cocking his head to get a better view

"Are you alright?" Sasuke asked concerned when he noticed that Iruka was staring at him still looking rather terrified from his flashback. "You don't have to-"

The professor shook himself and smiled weakly, "Sorry, I was watching the...what's that?" He pointed strictly at the thing in Sasuke's hand.

"It's all I could find in Sai's things..." The younger held out his hand, the other behind his back with the Hyuuga's extra trunks balled up in his hand. "It's a Speedo."

Iruka blinked. "I know what it is," he said in a deceptively calm voice. "What do you think you're doing with it?"

"It's the only thing I could find that would fit you." He answered. "Everything else would be too big and fall off."

"Sasuke they say 'spank me'!" the brunette cried indignantly.

"That's why I brought these." He pulled out the white trunks he knew would be too big for Iruka. "You can wear the trunks over them, in case they fall down."

The brunette rolled his eyes, resisting the urge to punch Sasuke in the head. "That wasn't funny," he griped, snatching the white swimming suit away and leaving the Speedo. "Just for that, I'm not changing in front of you."

Sasuke smirked, following Iruka back down to put his assistants’ choice of swimming apparel back with the rest of his things before returning up top with a few towels, laying them on one of the lounging chairs before Iruka returned in the white trunks that were about a size too large.

The smaller man pulled the drawstrings tight, though somehow the shorts still managed to ride low over his slim hips. He padded to the pool, staring down at it. The night was settling deeply and he could no longer hear the dolphins near. There wasn't another boat that he could see; only the flat ocean.

He shivered slightly as he glanced at the shimmering lights below the surface, looking over his shoulder at Sasuke. "Should I put on my life jacket?"

"No, you'll be alright." Sasuke answered as he turned on the rest of the lights where they were. A string of lights along the railing came on as well as a few dim overhead lights that mimicked streetlamps. "It's shallow by the stairs."

Iruka frowned. "How deep does it go?"

"The deep end is six feet." Sasuke answered. "But we don't have to go down there."

Iruka winced when he realized if they went that far his head would be at least five inches from the surface. He quirked his mouth and went to the stairs, pausing before setting his glasses on one of the lounging chairs before stepping in.

The water was warm from the bright sun that it had soaked in all day, a nice relief even in the cool night. He stepped down until the water was to his waist, unwilling to go further.

Sasuke quickly slipped into the water next to Iruka. He held out his hand for the smaller man to take after stepping past him. "Just tell me when to stop."

The brunette was obstinate about staying put, crossing his arms stubbornly when Sasuke swam to the other end with strong pulls of his arms. Iruka watched as the pale body cut through the water, making swimming look like it wasn't a life or death activity.

He sighed and rubbed his scar, glancing up for the first time and blinking in surprise when he saw the sky. It was one thing to see a star-filled galaxy on TV, it was a completely new thing to see them so clearly. Iruka almost gaped his disbelief. He'd never seen the sky like this, no longer clouded by the city's pollution or with blaringly loud sirens and car horns corrupting the silence.

He nearly jumped when Sasuke slid his hands around his slender waist, pulling him to a strong chest. Iruka blushed and wrapped his arms over the broad shoulders, holding on tightly as the Uchiha gently lifted the smaller body into his lap and walked backwards into the deep end. The professor quickly found that he was perfectly comfortable...as long as Sasuke didn't let go.

His smiled brightly, proud of himself, "This isn't so bad."

Sasuke gave a soft smile before pointing behind Iruka at the bright orb just over the horizon. "I told you so." He said softly when Iruka had turned to look at the moon.

Large doe brown eyes widened at the view. The moon was incredibly brilliant and low, making it seem larger and look as if the waves were lapping at its bottom.

"Oh," Iruka said, keeping his legs firmly wrapped around Sasuke's waist as he watched.

"So you'll come out here again then?" Sasuke asked as he stopped just away from the wall in the middle of the deep end, his toes brushing against the bottom.

Iruka glanced to meet his black gaze, smiling with guilt as he brushed loose strands of hair from his face. "I wouldn't mind."

Sasuke's lips curled up into a smirk. "Good." He stated, slowly lowering them deeper into the pool, his hands inching to the drooping hemline of the borrowed trunks. "How's the water?"

The smaller man shifted a bit so he was higher up, his knees tucked against Sasuke's ribs so his head was completely above the surface. "It's fine..."

After a little while of floating in the water, waiting while Iruka's grip slowly loosened enough to get him to lower his legs, Sasuke went over the basics of swimming; kicking your feet and moving yours hands, the professor only doing one at a time, still afraid to be out of the younger’s hold.

Only when the wind slowly began to pick up, bringing in the cooler night air, did they decide to get out and head inside to make dinner. Sasuke lifted Iruka up onto the side while he swam to the shallow end, the two meeting at the top of the stairs.

"What would you like?" The raven asked, handing Iruka a large towel, taking one for himself and unfolding it.

"Does the captain always serve the crew?" he joked lightly, wrapping himself up with a shiver.

"Crew?” Sasuke arched a brow as he picked up the extra towel he had brought.

"You're a passenger." He added wrapping the second towel around Iruka's waist to cover his legs. "Let’s go inside, you're shivering." The younger picked up Iruka's glasses, handing them to him before walking over to turn off the lights.

The brunette leaned against the taller man for warmth, humming his approval. "Hm...Captain Uchiha...I don’t think it suits you. Now Captain Umino sounds like a strong name."

Sasuke chuckled, spinning Iruka around to face him once they were below deck in the warmth of the boat. "Are you trying to tell me something?"

The smaller man laughed, ducking from Sasuke's attempt at a kiss playfully. "Oh no Captain, most definitely not. But if I were on your crew, I'd say I might be planning a mutiny."

Sasuke followed Iruka as he made his way down to the next floor where the bedrooms were, the professor attempting to hide but failing miserably, Sasuke easily tracking him down.

"I might have to make a new rule on the punishment then." He had Iruka cornered.

"As long as it has nothing to do with Sai's choice of swimwear I don't think I'll put up much of a fight," Iruka laughed, blushing hard.

Sasuke's smirk appeared. "Mmm..." He looked pensive for a second. "No, it's not what I had in mind."

The brunette faked a pout, sliding past the Uchiha as he kneeled and crawled over the bed. "No? Then what?"

Sasuke followed, turning Iruka over so that they were face to face, the smaller pinned underneath him as the bedding slowly absorbed the water from their wet trunks. "What do you think?"

"That's not really punishment, is it?" Iruka asked, sliding his hands down the taller man's torso.

"Depends on what I ask for." Sasuke grinned, shifting slightly.

Iruka narrowed his eyes suspiciously as he wrapped his arms around Sasuke's neck. "What is it?"

"The punishment for mutiny?" Sasuke's hand lightly brushed along Iruka's side. "You have to make dinner." He whispered.

"Punishment for leading me on," Iruka whispered back with a grin. "No kisses."

He slipped from under Sasuke with a laugh, brushing his hair back from his face as he went into the small kitchen down the hall.

Sasuke changed out of the wet trunks and into a loose pair of pajama pants before joining the smaller man in the kitchen. Iruka was shivering slightly being as he was still wearing the wet trunks that were riding dangerously low on his hips.

Seeing this, Sasuke pulled the throw blanket off the back of the couch in the dining area, wrapping it around Iruka's shoulders when he came up behind him.

"Go change, I'll keep it from burning."

Iruka blinked up at him with a warm smile before nodding and after a second, he gave a salute. "Yes Captain," he teased, padding back down the hall with the blanket wrapped snugly around his frame.

He stepped into their room, wavering slightly since he hadn't yet gotten his 'sea legs'. A glance in the mirror against the opposite wall showed him Sasuke was watching him, looking back and forth to mind the strips of beef Iruka was cooking to go into the rice.

The professor felt Sasuke deserved a proper show at least and ducked his head down to hide his blush as he left the door open and dropped the blanket. It took one tug of the tie he'd done in the drawstring to make the shorts fall shortly after. He took his time in bending over and scooping up the blanket and trunks, tossing them in their proper place before he darted out of Sasuke's sight to put on clothes.

The Uchiha's pajamas swamped his small frame and he made a mental note to remind himself to either call Anko for his clothes, or buy new ones. He was still blushing as he came out in a black set that diligently tried to slide off his skin.

"I can take care of it now," he said as he entered the kitchen.

Sasuke raised an eyebrow but backed away from the stove giving Iruka just enough room to slide past him to reach the pans.

He went to the full sized fridge, finding a large bottle of Sake on the shelf just in front of the bottled water he was after. Pulling both from the fridge, Sasuke set them on the open breakfast bar before digging for cups. Once that was done, he retrieved two plates for Iruka, setting them next to the stove while the smaller man was struggling to keep the sleeves from catching on fire.

"Here, let me." The younger pressed himself against Iruka's back, sliding his hands down to the end of the sleeves to roll them; the black silk of the pajamas was cool against his bare chest.

When Sasuke reached Iruka's wrist, his eyes easily picked out the lighter skin from where the piano wire had dug painfully into their wrists. His thumb unintentionally brushed over the smooth skin before he pulled his hands away, moving to the other sleeve.

"I'm sorry.” he whispered softly, raven bangs lightly rubbing against the professor’s cheek.

Iruka turned the burner down as he leaned back against Sasuke's strong frame. He paused for a moment before letting his hands slide around the Uchiha's own wrists, brushing his fingers along the similar scars that wouldn't ever fade.

"It's not your fault," he said softly. "You know that don't you?"

Dark eyes closed slowly as Iruka continued to trace the whiter skin. "I could have done more to stop him...This never would have happened if I had..."

The smaller man wrapped Sasuke's arms firmly around his waist as he furrowed his brows. "If you had what?"

"He warned me when I was younger, years after the ... massacre. Told me I'd never be safe, that'd he'd always be watching. ... I just... wasn't careful enough..." Sasuke leaned down so that his head was resting softly on the top of Iruka's. "You didn't deserve this...not after..."

Iruka felt his eyes burn, but he didn't cry, certainly not for himself. Slowly he turned around in Sasuke's embrace, staring up at him carefully.

"I love you," he said softly, trailing his hands up the bare chest. "And what happened wasn't your fault and never will be. As for what I deserve...I got you didn't I? It may sound stupid...but I think that makes things balanced more in my favor."

"I..." Sasuke stared down at the glassy brown eyes watching his intently.

He didn't understand how even after going through something like they had that Iruka could stand to be around him, let alone admit to loving him.

After his mother was killed, Sasuke couldn't bring himself to tell someone he loved them, always afraid that Itachi would do to them what he had done to his family.

In reality, if he was a different person, the younger heir would have to admit that Tsume was like a mother to him and Shikaku like a father. But he couldn't admit love, not when he was protecting them from harm.

It's why those words couldn't leave his mouth now, staring down at Iruka, every passing second making the smaller man’s eyes slowly fill with tears. Instead Sasuke lifted Iruka's body up, pulling him into a deep kiss.

The brunette didn't kiss back at first, not wanting to continue if Sasuke didn't love him too...

But then he understands and wraps his arms as tight as he can around the taller man's neck, pressing their mouths against each other hungrily, giving a muffled sound of pleasure when Sasuke pressed him against the stove and then against the wall.

Iruka yelped, his toes hovering over the floor as Sasuke slipped past his lips and claimed his mouth. He whimpered slightly, trying to kiss Sasuke back with as much passion as he could muster as his legs lifted and wound around the Uchiha's waist.

Sasuke pressed Iruka against the fridge, holding the smaller body up by the waist as they kissed, the younger’s stronger frame rolling instinctively against the professor’s. The black silk pajamas lightly ghosted over the pale flesh before it was pressed between them, Iruka hugging the Uchiha's torso close to his own as he was lifted higher for a better kiss.

The boat rocked gently with a wave that was created from a passing by barge, the loud horn startling both men and forcing them to part, panting.

Iruka blushed fully as he slowly untangled his legs and was eased back down. They were still pressed flush against each other, staring at each other almost softly despite the raw heat their kiss had contained. He glanced away shyly, clearing his throat as his heart fluttered.

"You broke your punishment," he chastised softly. "And the food is going to burn."

"I stole it." Sasuke replied in regards to the kiss as he took a step back so that Iruka could move over to the stove to turn off the burners. "The food can be remade."

The brunette glanced at the taller man again, blush growing darker at the thick voice that graced his ears and made him shudder. He shut off the burners and left the food, tucking his hand into Sasuke's larger one, pulling the Uchiha after him to the bedroom.

A/N: Dom- llyoung, yeah Anko and Iruka did have sex, but they're best friends. Had Sasuke not been a slut and only slept with Shikamaru, Iruka wouldn't have been nearly as pissed xD.