Shades Of Grey

Chapter3

"I want more."

The words echoed through Sasuke’s ears. His eyes were wide with shock. He looked down at the blonde. His eyes were clear and sober, and they were begging Sasuke to believe his words. Sasuke squatted down.

"You want more?" he asked a little harshly.

Naruto nodded. Sasuke’s barrier was crumbling fast, and he desperately clung to the last bit of pride he had.

"I’m not like that. And if I were, why would I believe you suddenly stopped liking Sakura to go for me? Pity? No."

Naruto reached up and lightly touched Sasuke’s face.

"I never really loved her. She was pretty. I thought I could be happy with someone so happy and pretty. I’ve… I’ve been curious for so long. Too long. Everyone else grew out of it but not me. I’m always watching you. You’re so perfect and now I realize why. You’re always perfect when I’m watching you. I’ve figured you out, Sasuke Uchiha. You’re in love with me and denying yourself. Well, now I’m offering. No, I’m begging. Please."

"And when you’re done with me? You satisfy your curiosity and leave me humiliated? Get your hand off me, Uzumaki. I’ll not be humiliated, especially not by the likes of you," Sasuke snapped.

He grabbed Naruto’s hand to push it away. Instead, Naruto took his hand and pulled him forward. Sasuke crashed into Naruto’s embrace. The blonde kissed his forehead.

"Please believe me. I don’t want to hurt you. I swear I’m not drunk. I swear I want this. Just kiss me Sasuke. If you still don’t believe me, I’ll go away."

Sasuke’s walls fell. He looked up into those blue eyes. He saw Naruto was still confused, but honest. He pressed his lips to the blonde’s. Naruto’s eyes closed as he melted into Sasuke’s kiss. It was full of pent up desire. Sasuke’s tongue pushed past Naruto’s lips to taste him. Their tongues battled for a moment before Naruto’s chased his back into his own mouth. Sasuke held onto Naruto, and the kiss, for several minutes. Sasuke heard a noise upstairs and pulled away. He fell out of Naruto’s lap and scrambled back to the opposite wall.

"I swear I will kill you if you tell anyone, dobe," he growled.

Before Naruto could react Sasuke was gone. His head was pounding. He let his head fall back against the wall. He sat for a minute, letting his mind make sense of what had just happened.

‘Maybe I am still drunk.’

Naruto picked himself up and walked back into Sasuke’s room. He climbed into the bed. He pulled the sheets over his head, and took a deep breath. The bed smelled like its usual occupant and the scent of the other boy filled Naruto’s senses. He closed his eyes. He knew the alcohol was still coursing through him. He knew without that alcohol he never would have said or done those things. He decided as he drifted off to sleep that he did not regret them.


~Next morning~


"Sasuke-teme!" Naruto shouted, pulling his jeans on his legs.

He crashed to the ground, tangled in the denim. A few moments brought Sasuke throwing open the bedroom door. Naruto was standing and trying again to pull his jeans on. Sasuke scowled.

"What?"

"I’m late for work! Where is Iruka-san’s bookshop?"

Sasuke fell quiet. He knew Naruto had a job. He had thought he could confront the boy about the night before but found himself stripped of his chance.

"Get dressed. I’ll get you there. It’s not that far."

Sasuke walked past Naruto and grabbed himself some casual, simple clothes. He changed in his bathroom. Naruto wore what he had the night before. His work shirt was at home. Sasuke led Naruto from the manor. He saw no cars around and cursed inwardly. He’d have to walk Naruto there.

"I’ll walk you. We can be there in ten minutes," he informed Naruto.

"Perfect. I’ll just make it," the blonde sighed in relief.

Sasuke stuck his hands in his pockets and led the way, keeping his distance. Naruto knew if he did not say something, Sasuke would assume he had still been drunk. Naruto’s raging hang over told him he had been, but he remembered kissing Sasuke, and he remembered realizing the Uchiha’s feelings, as well as his own developing ones. Naruto jogged and caught up to Sasuke. He smirked at the words about to come from his mouth.

"You taste good, Sasuke-teme. Dattebayo!"

Sasuke turned red. He glared to the side at the grinning boy.

"I meant what I said. I only just realized it all myself, but that doesn’t make it any less true. I like you, teme. And I’ve decided, I’m not going anywhere."

"Who said I liked you, dobe," Sasuke spat.

Naruto moved in front of him and captured Sasuke’s lip with his own. He kept it short, licking his lips after breaking away.

"You didn’t have to Sasuke-kun," he smiled.

Sasuke blushed. He debated punching Naruto in the face, but the blonde was already walking away. Still cautious, he swallowed hard and caught up to the boy.

"When do you get off?" he mumbled.

"Ano… I get a lunch break at noon but I’m working a double today so… Eight tonight?" Naruto looked at the sky, finger on his chin as he thought.

"I’ll take you for lunch," Sasuke said, not looking at Naruto.

Naruto beamed happily. He wanted to reach out to the Uchiha, but they were walking through the downtown area. Konoha was a fairly small town, but nonetheless, the town square was filled with people. Naruto was sure Sasuke would give him a chance to explore this new feelings and prove himself, but he was also sure they would have to keep it to themselves. Sasuke walked into the book shop with him, but headed off to look around while Naruto approached Iruka.

"Iruka-san! Can I borrow a shirt today? I left mine at home," he asked nervously.

Iruka sighed.

"Get one from the back, but leave it here this time."

Naruto grinned, and then ran off to punch in and grab a shirt. He winked at Sasuke as he passed the boy and disappeared into an office for a moment. Sasuke saw him again after combing the store and finally deciding to buy a book. To his secret delight, Naruto was working the register. He had replaced the black shirt with a light blue one, but the fishnets still clung to his arms. A name tag was pinned on his chest with his name and a smiling fox next to it. Sasuke rolled his eyes.

"I’ll be here at noon. No ramen," he muttered before paying for the book and leaving.

Naruto was especially happy as he passed through his first shift with a smile. Iruka tried to question him, but the only response he got was that Sai threw great parties.

"So, you finally got to hook up with Haruno-kun?" Iruka teased.

"No…," Naruto’s spirits fell.

Despite the lack of feelings on her part, he still felt guilty for turning his attention to Sasuke so quickly. He wondered if it made him a shallow person. When he took his quick break, he gathered his courage and approached Iruka. He waited until the customers had left and cleared his throat loudly, hoping to talk before someone else entered the shop.

"Iruka-san, can I ask you something?"

"Sure kid."

"Well… you know that I’ve liked Sakura-chan for a long time. But, last night I discovered feelings for someone else. It’s really complicated, but I think he likes me too. Does it make me shallow of changing my mind so quickly?"

Iruka swallowed hard at the word "he." The older man himself had never experienced things like that. Naruto did not seemed to notice what he had said. The look in his usually happy eyes made Iruka push aside the awkwardness and attempt to answer his question.

"I don’t think it makes a person shallow for changing their mind. Even if this person has been right there for so long and you just noticed. It starts to get harder to cling to someone who doesn’t care for you, so naturally people move on. I wouldn’t blame the person for doubting your sudden change in feelings, but if they know you the way I do, they’ll know you don’t say things unless you mean them."

"Thanks, Iruka-san!" Naruto’s face lit up again.

He bounced off to finish his break, as well as to wait for lunch. He was given two hours before he had to clock in again. He pocketed his name tag, but left the shirt on as he walked outside to look for the Uchiha. He had only waited a few minutes before he felt a tap on his shoulder. He turned to face Sasuke, who was looking as cold as ever. His face fell a little, until Sasuke leaned in to whisper in his ear.

"We’re friends, nothing more in public, dobe. And friends is pushing it with the treatment we give each other. I’ll lead the way."

Naruto grinned.

"I want ramen, though."

"I said no ramen, and I meant it. I’m taking you to a little café. It’s small and kinda hidden, but it’s my favorite place."