Pranksters

Pranksters Ch. 3

A Helping Hand


Naruto collapsed onto the leather sofa, sighing in relief as he sank into its cushioned arms. Looking up at the ceiling, he pulled a plush pillow over his eyes, trying to shut out the brilliant white light beaming him from the skylights. For a moment he decided to forget the rules and even put his feet up.

The evening news whispered to him from the television. He was too tired for anything more than background noise and thus had failed to turn up the volume. He was exhausted, mentally and physically, but the blasted energy drink still coursing through his body denied him sleep.

He pushed away his anxiety, shuffling it to the back of his mind and trying not to think about how he just barely survived today, barely. Were it not for Shikamaru thinking of potential problems ahead of time he was sure those barbed questions would have skewered him on the spot. He groaned aloud just thinking about it. Gaara had done a real number on him. Even when he wasn’t on top of his game, he was usually able to improvise with relative ease, but he had been distracted since Saturday, mentally and emotionally. Both had dealt considerable damage. He clenched his teeth just thinking about it- about that two faced intern and Gaara’s coy behavior. Were it not for Shikamaru keeping his ass in line, his pitch would have sunk like the Titanic. His concentration was broken. And now that it was over, he was free to wallow in needless self pity.

He pulled the pillow off his face, using it to cushion his head as he curled up on his side. He stared at the TV absently thinking about Gaara’s words, wondering if he was being vague just to tease or if this was a legitimate concern.

He was brought back to the present when a petite blonde woman stood before the camera. A flicker or recognition registered in the back of his mind, but he wasn’t trying to discern who she was. A name had caught his attention and he was now listening for details in the story she was trying to convey.

She stood in the international arrival lobby at Narita amidst a wave of cameras and reporters, like herself, wagging microphones. They rippled around a lone figure making his way towards the doors. Black, spiky locks shined blue in the camera light while dark eyes regarded the press with glacial disinterest. He ignored the questions shouted in his ear choosing not to comment on his travels, his projects or his future plans. Their only reply was his publicist’s red hair bobbing in front of the camera. She shoved them out of the way with a force few would expect from one so small.

“Mr. Uchiha has had a long journey and needs his rest,” she said matter-of-factly. True, Sasuke did look grumpy, but when did he not? He exited the sliding airport doors, was ushered into an expensive looking car and was driven away. The camera panned back to catch the break lights before the black vehicle disappeared into the dark Tokyo night. The camera held on for as long as possible before switching back to the flustered reporter who made the best of her botched up story before signing out.

So he’s back in town again, Naruto mused. But for how long, he thought cynically. Last time, he didn’t even say good-bye. The bastard. Though Naruto was used to that by now.

His orange phone began hopping on the table, a frenetic tune screaming at him to pick up. Naruto reached for it lazily, checking the caller I.D. first. His eyes blinked a few times and did a double take. He sat up quickly and flipped it open.

“Dobe,” the receiver deadpanned, “be at the Bridge in half an hour. You know where to find me.” The voice cut out and he was met with silence on the other end. The call ended before he even said hello. Not that that was the first thing he planned to say.

Naruto groaned. It would take half an hour to get to the Bridge. He slid his legs over the edge of the couch and sat up. He really wasn’t up to going out tonight, but knowing Sasuke, he’d call every half hour until he arrived. Naruto rubbed his hands over his face tiredly. He may as well freshen up.

His bare feet sounded gently across the wooden floor. He shucked off his orange t-shirt on the way to his room, threw it onto his bed and rummaged through his closet. He pulled out a black button up shirt and his favorite orange tie- that would work. He slipped out of his shorts for a snug pair of black slacks. He was wearing his Halloween colors, as Sasuke often teased, but heck if he didn’t look good in it.

Turning on the bathroom light he stood before the mirror to try to fix his hair. Looking at himself he sighed at the purple smudges beneath his eyes attesting to his difficult weekend. He reached for the gel on his bathroom counter and tried to perk up the limp blond spikes. He let his bangs fall into his eyes, spiking up the back. Content, he gave himself a once over before deciding he was fit to go.

Gaara was entering the apartment just as he slipped on the first shoe. Naruto ignored him, which was uncommonly childish of him, but he was still hurting from Saturday and the extent to which it sabotaged his project. He noted that Gaara offered no greeting in return.

Naruto stood up just as Gaara tried to squeeze past him in the narrow entryway. There was a brief moment of awkwardness where both men faced each other, chests brushing against one another, close enough for Naruto to notice Gaara’s loosened tie and the spicy scent of his cologne. Naruto tried to ignore the way his heart sped up or the sudden strong desire to touch the other man and keep their bodies together. Instead he reached around him to slide the lock open.

“You look nice,” Gaara commented. “Was that for today?” He moved past Naruto, sliding his feet into his slippers.

“No,” Naruto said. “Going out,” he offered vaguely. He swung the door open, tossed his blazer over his shoulder and stepped out.

Naruto rode the dingy, dimly lit elevator to the sixth floor. For such a random building there were some pretty high class joints inside. But that seemed to be the point with elitists these days. The more hidden something is, the more exclusive it becomes. Frankly Naruto thought it silly.

The doors opened onto a dark floor, purple and blue neon lights illuminating “The Bridge” behind the reception desk. Naruto strode up to the beautiful girl behind the counter. Had she not been standing behind the podium, Naruto would have assumed she was a model, here to enjoy the club like everyone else.

“Name?” she asked cordially. Admittance was based purely on invitation of course. Naruto gave her his name, smiling flirtatiously. She ignored it for her list, flipping through her pages until she spotted the U. “Mr. Uzumaki. Here you are,” she paused. She scrutinized the note next to it, face betraying a moment of surprise before she looked up at him with a little more friendliness this time. “Welcome to the Bridge! Your friends have been waiting. May I check in any baggage for you? Get you started with any drinks?” Naruto shook his head at the barrage of questions. The more delay, the prissier Sasuke would get. “My friends are in the back?” he asked.

“Yes sir! Shall I escort you to them?” she asked a little too hopefully. He shook his head no. “I know the way,” he smiled. Her expression dimmed a little, but she remained polite. Naruto would have felt bad if he wasn’t used to this by now. If he thought she was interested in helping him more than sneaking a peek at the elusive Uchiha Sasuke, he would have allowed it. But Sasuke couldn’t stand his fangirls and Naruto wasn’t mean enough to tease the guy that for all his almost feminine beauty could still give him a good beating.

He thanked the receptionist anyways and slipped through the doorway to the club. The first lounge was relatively empty. A few young girls dressed in name brands from head to toe lounged gracefully on the leather sofas. They pressed the buttons of their cell phones with clean, manicured nails, trying not to look obvious as they all glanced at Naruto upon entering.

Naruto liked to think of this as the waiting room. Where people waited for their dates, or pretended to before picking up a new one. He sat here once out of boredom waiting for Sasuke to show up one night. He ended up chatting up a nice girl to pass the time until discovering that the very pretty girl he was talking to was actually a man. Sasuke didn’t let him live that one down.

He smiled at the few girls that eyed him, no doubt trying to appraise his position or wealth based on the few accessories he was wearing. When nothing caught their eye they turned away, back to their phones or girlfriends, chatting. Naruto smiled to himself. The only thing of actual value he owned was tucked safely beneath his button up shirt. Naruto liked to protect things of value. Showing them off was just asking for trouble. Naruto shook his head at their obviousness. A club full of Tokyo’s elite and somehow he had flashbacks of high school. He moved down into the bar area, past the dance floor thrumming from a heavy bass and singles undulating beneath colored lights. He made his way to the special lounge in the back, accessible only to the V.I.P.s among V.I.P.s. He waved at the very large man guarding the door.

“Hey Juugo, how’s it going?” Gray eyes narrowed before softening in recognition. Sasuke’s long time body guard smiled at him.

“Not bad,” he said, “keeping the fan girls at bay.” Naruto shook hands with the giant and nodded in understanding.

“I hear you. That receptionist seems to be one of them,” he added conspiratorially. Juugo chuckled, a deep rich sound resounding in the hall.

“It’s been quiet so far. Not many know he’s here. Karin has the night off so everyone thinks he’s at the Hideout where she’s putting in an appearance.” Naruto nodded. “Suigetsu went with her to supposedly help out the plan,” Juugo chuckled. Naruto smiled in relief. Sasuke’s other guard creeped him out to no end. Juugo stepped aside to let Naruto through the door. “Better get in there. Sasuke has been waiting. Sakura is here too.” Naruto smiled. He thanked Juugo as he stepped into the warmly lit lounge.

Plush red couches lined the black walls. A man was perched comfortably in one of them, his crossed legs pulling his already tight leather pants even closer against his skin. He looked bored as he sipped from a large tumbler, but nodded occasionally to a pink haired girl rambling next to him. Naruto smiled, wondering if he did that simply so he wouldn’t have to do any of the talking.

“Naruto!” Sakura jumped to her feet, closing the distance between them and embracing him warmly. “Sasuke told me you were coming. How are you?” she asked excitedly.

Naruto held her shoulders and took a good look at her. For someone who supposedly studied so much, she looked good and he told her so. She blushed, muttering something about running around all the time before grabbing his hand and leading him to the couch where she and Sasuke were sitting.

Naruto faced the man that had been absent for the greater part of the past ten years. The man that called them all together now: Uchiha Sasuke. They hadn’t seen each other for a year at least, but Sasuke’s absences tended to be long. World renowned photographer and sometimes model, his climb to fame took him all over the globe. If it wasn’t his well sought after body in the shots it was his genius eyes behind the camera. And the brief times he came home, his friends were there waiting.

“You’re late dobe,” Sasuke greeted him coldly. “You look like shit.”

“It’s good to see you too Sasuke,” Naruto sat down. “And I’d be in bed right now if someone hadn’t dragged me out half way across town.”

“Anyone I know?” Sasuke leered.

Naruto punched his shoulder playfully. “Asleep, you bastard. It’s been a tough week.”

“It’s Monday,” Sakura pointed out.

“Exactly!” Naruto replied. He asked to see the drink menu before divulging to his friends the latest in his escapades or lack thereof. A few drinks later, they had all their details.

“I didn’t realize your feelings for Gaara were so strong,” Sakura pat his knee sympathetically. “Why don’t you tell him directly?” she offered.

“Won’t work,” Sasuke butt in. “If he’s not fucking you already, you’re doing something wrong.”

Naruto snorted. “Not all of us are giant pricks like you.”

Sasuke smirked. “You would know.” Naruto choked on his drink. Sakura pat him on the back a few times until he regained control of himself. Meanwhile, Sasuke leaned in towards Naruto, suddenly sitting closer than he was comfortable with. “But you know what the solution is.” Black eyes bore into him from behind a veil of black lashes. Naruto’s temperature suddenly shot up a few degrees. Sasuke never had much respect for personal boundaries, unless they were his own.

“I think I’m going to get another drink,” Sakura declared, practically jumping to her feet and scuttling toward the door stiffly. “I’ll be back soon,” she said without looking at them.

Naruto watched her leave with a growing sense of panic, wanting to plead for her not to abandon him. “Uh, solution?” Naruto tried to get back to the subject. “And what’s that?” his voiced squeaked as Sasuke’s hand slid against his thigh. Sasuke leaned in close, looking Naruto straight in the eye, waiting for a reaction that wasn’t coming.

“Take me home,” he stated, or demanded. Naruto couldn’t tell which. Naruto’s shivered, goose pimples rising despite his long sleeves. That was the last thing on his mind tonight. But damn if he wasn’t tempted. His eyes tried not to shift over the poster boy for sex, or acknowledge his own awareness of Sasuke’s loose shirt- of the pale expanse of skin exposed from sternum to just below the curve of well defined abs. Dark eyes bore into him, reading his answer before his mouth could form the words. Naruto remembered that look. “But you won’t,” he stated, expression freezing back into indifference. He leaned back against the couch, resuming his air of disinterest in the world. “You’re in love with him,” he explained calmly, taking a sip of amber liquid.

Naruto could feel his cheeks burning, but for the life of him, he couldn’t control it. “What are you talking about?” he countered. “No I’m not!” He could hear his own defensiveness and knew it was as convincing to Sasuke as it was to himself.

“You didn’t kiss me,” he countered, as though that answered everything. He raised the glass to his lips as though highlighting the very part that Naruto refused to take advantage of. Dark eyes watched him from above the glass’s rim. Had he been anyone else that look would have melted him on the spot, the way it had the first time.

“Well sorry if I have other things on my mind. I told you, I’m exhausted.” Naruto crossed his arms over his chest defensively and threw himself against the back of the couch. The more he held their bodies apart the less he felt tempted to take up Sasuke’s offer.

He sighed and rubbed a hand over his face. “I’m sorry,” he offered. “I didn’t mean to offend you or anything it’s just that taking you home was the last thing I had on my mind tonight.” Sasuke’s expression remained constant, but the slight lowering of his eyelids, a softening in his earlier gaze, told Naruto that he was listening.

“Relax dobe, I’m trying to help you here.” His business face was on and suddenly Naruto knew that there would be something in it for him as well. “I won’t be offended if you decide not to take advantage of me tonight,” he smiled a little at this, “but take me home tonight. And in return for my help, you and your tightass roommate will participate in my newest project.” Naruto was sure he missed something, because the more he thought over Sasuke’s vague proposal the less it made sense.

“And taking you home is necessary… how?” he asked.

Sasuke smirked. “Why do you think I kept our relations a secret?” Naruto snorted. That was a delicate way of putting it. Not that he cared much anymore. It had been awhile since they’d dabbled in anything beyond friendship. He shrugged, assuming it had always been due to Sasuke’s extremely private nature. Heck, he wouldn’t want to publicize his personal life either. “Because if the public thought you were what I desired, you would become an object of desire for them as well.” Naruto’s tired brain tried to process this. His confusion must have shown because Sasuke exhaled in a rare display of frustration. “If people think I want you, they’ll assume you have something to offer. They want to have you simply because I do.” Understanding dawned on him and he nodded and smiled.

“So I take you home, you show up the next morning and Gaara assumes we’re… well… you know!” The wheels were turning again and the plan was making sense. “But won’t that make him think I don’t like him?” Naruto frowned.

“Exactly,” Sasuke replied. “You’re eagerness has no doubt given you away. If Gaara thinks he has some competition, it may make him value your feelings for him.”

Naruto smiled. “Wow Sasuke, when did you get so good at relationship stuff?”

Sasuke raised an eyebrow. “I wouldn’t say good. Just playing the game.” Naruto was silent. He picked up on the hint of seriousness behind those words and wondered if Sasuke was perhaps suffering in his own way. He would have asked about it, but he knew he would only get cryptic messages and roundabout answers. “It’s time to put away middle school tactics and play with the adults,” Sasuke added. Naruto didn’t miss the insult.

***

Naruto fumbled with his keys, trying to hold it straight enough to actually insert the slim metal into the doorknob. After a few failed attempts and what Sasuke deemed a giggle, the brunette grabbed the keys impatiently, shoving Naruto out of the way. Naruto mumbled a complaint, but quickly forgot it when Sasuke managed to open the door, pushing Naruto through the doorway unceremoniously and catching him before he tripped over the shoes in the entryway.

“Geez dobe, when’s the last time you drank?”

“That shoe just tried to trip me!” Naruto was amusingly indignant. He kicked the dress shoe which no doubt belonged to his roommate, being obviously too small to be Naruto’s.

“Forget it dobe, let’s get you to bed.” Sasuke pulled the heavier man’s arm around his neck, slightly annoyed that he couldn’t hold his liquor. He wondered how Naruto would have ever gotten home without had Sasuke not decided to accompany him. Slipping out of his shoes he led Naruto over to the kitchen. He propped the load of dead weight against the table carefully, thankful said dead weight was deciding to sit still. Sasuke let him go carefully before feeling along the wall in search of the kitchen light. Gaara had thankfully left the light on in the entryway so Sasuke wasn’t completely blind. He found the switch, flipping it on and squinted against its brightness. He opened up a few cupboards to find a glass, filled it with water from the filter and took it back to Naruto.

“Drink this,” he placed the cup into Naruto’s hands. Naruto’s shaky grip sloshed the cup a little, pulling it up to his nose.

“This doesn’t smell like sake,” he seemed confused.

“It’s water, drink it,” Sasuke said firmly, pushing the cup to Naruto’s lips. He regretted giving him those last few shots of sake. Naruto pressed his lips against the glass tumbler and gulped the water down. He held the cup too high, water dribbling down the sides of his mouth and spilling against his already damp shirt. “You’re such a slob,” Sasuke shook his head, loosening Naruto’s ridiculous orange tie and sliding it off. “Finish that and we’ll get you ready for bed.” His fingers slid to the black buttons of his shirt, quickly undoing each one.

He was surprised to see no undershirt, but Naruto’s firm, tan flesh quickly exposed. Sasuke looked him over appreciatively. “It’s good to see you’re still taking care of yourself,” he smirked, pulling the shirt out of the belted slacks and slipping the material off broad shoulders. Naruto giggled, if that’s what it could be called as the shirt slid down to the table.

“None of that, Sasuke,” he smiled coyly, reminding Sasuke of the women that tried to play innocent with him. “Gaara said no fucking on the couch,” he laughed. Sasuke glanced down the hallway towards the bedrooms. He noted a faint light visible from the crack below the door.

“Is that so?” he grinned. Sasuke undid the few remaining buttons of his shirt, shrugging out of the silk garment and placing it on the table alongside Naruto’s simple black button up. “But this is the kitchen table.” He reached for Naruto’s belt, sliding the end out of the first clasp. “It’s not the same as the couch, is it?” Naruto struggled with the words, face visibly working through the logic as Sasuke slid his belt out from around him. Sasuke popped off the first button of his slacks. “Stay here, I’ll be right back,” he grabbed the water glass and returned to the kitchen. Naruto was too drunk for this to work. If Gaara caught them now he would think Naruto was being taken advantage of. If he could just sober up a little more…

Naruto was half sprawled out on the table when he got back, arm thrown over his eyes and the other resting against the stained wood. It was a familiar sight and yet Sasuke couldn’t help a few pangs of lust, remembering the scent and taste of that warm skin- the pale hair against the dark tattoo.

“Sit up dobe,” he pulled him up and put the water glass back in his hand. “Drink this,” he said.

“I’m sleepy,” Naruto complained. “I don’t want anymore.” He tried to put the glass down.

“Drink it, dobe,” Sasuke insisted. He undid the top button of his leather pants, sliding the zipper down. He tried to wiggle them down a little, enough to expose a few inches of his boxer briefs.

“Hey, I have a pair like those,” Naruto pointed at his underwear. He took a sip of the water, eyes a little less unfocused than before they arrived.

“Unlikely. I doubt you can afford this designer.” He pulled the half finished cup out of Naruto’s hands and placed it on the edge of the table. “Now,” he looked Naruto straight in the eye, “do you remember what we talked about earlier today?” Naruto thought hard, but nothing seemed to register. “About your roommate,” he clarified. Naruto’s eyes opened a little wider and he nodded. Sasuke was relieved that Naruto still sobered up fairly quickly. “Good. Just follow my lead.”

Sasuke knocked the glass over, water spilling and the loud crash of glass shattered the relative quiet of the apartment. Sasuke pushed Naruto down against the table, draping his body over his former lover’s and latching his mouth onto Naruto’s toned shoulder.

“Sasuke!” Naruto’s voice cried out in genuine surprise. Sasuke tried to choose the least intimate spot, but hearing the door down the hall click, he quickly moved his mouth lower, nose pressed against the center of Naruto’s seal.

Sasuke knew before the lights switched on that Gaara had seen them. Smiling against Naruto’s skin, he knew that leaving the kitchen light on had ensured it.

“Eh hem,” a voice interrupted them from the hallway. Sasuke didn’t try to move away, but simply turned his head to regard Gaara with contempt. He pressed his cheek against Naruto’s belly, showing his unwillingness to stop. “Naruto, I told you, not on the furniture.”

Sasuke was impressed. He couldn’t look more disinterested had Sasuke done it himself. “Please take this to your bedroom,” Gaara turned heel, leaving the light on behind him, “and be careful with the glass,” he reminded.

Sasuke watched him retreat back into his bedroom. Gaara never once looked back at them, calmly leaving them to their own devices. Naruto looked slightly panicked, but made no move to stop him or explain. Sasuke looked at the empty hallway and smiled. For one as neat as Sabaku, he made no mention of wiping up the water or picking up the glass. In fact, for all his composure, he seemed to leave in quite a hurry.

Sasuke put a hand on Naruto’s to calm him. He pulled their clothes out of his hands and threw them back onto the table.

“Leave it,” he all but commanded. “Time for phase two.”


***

A/N: Hope you enjoyed this chapter. :) Please read and review. (criticisms are welcome too!)