All the Small Things

Disclaimer: Not ours. Bummer.
Summary: Life in the ER is hectic. Lives hang in the balance, tempers rise and emotions abound. Dr. Uchiha and Dr. Uzumaki deal with the tensions at work every day. And then they go home and deal with their own relationship. SasuNaru
Written by: Phantomsnow and michelerene (ff)/ lexjamandme (aff)

AN: It is I-Phantomsnow. I’m the other author of (see title below) and I glad that all of you love this story! It makes me happy that most of you can’t even tell that there are actually two people writing it. It makes me happy, because I just love the way Michele writes! Anyways, I lost a bet with Michele and had to write this note. Michele is the best! She rules! Thank God for Michele, she rocks! (That was part of our bet). All the evil twisted things happening in our story are actually my idea, whereas all the fluffy, snuggly things are Michele’s ideas! I would have killed off the twins but I knew that it would have made her very unhappy when I read her description of the twins. I had to curve my plans and make her happy. Anyways, thanks for reading! I bet you guys can’t tell who writes what!

WARNING: Hello, duckies. The beginning of this chapter is nothing but hot, torrid… wait for it… sex. That’s right. Playtime has begun and Sasuke’s on the pitcher’s mound… making Naruto the catcher which just totally made me giggle like a school girl in pigtails… anyway, all joking aside, I’m not joking. It’s there, it’s sex and it’s boys. You have been warned.

All the Small Things
Chapter 3

It was like liquid fire trailing across his collarbone and up his neck. It wasn’t painful. No, it was excruciatingly... pleasurable. He knew his eyes were closed, maybe he was asleep but all he could see was white behind his eyelids and all he could hear where the desperate noises flowing from his own mouth. He felt the sensation leave his achingly sensitive skin and he tried to move his hands to bring it back, forcefully if need be. He growled in frustration when his arms didn’t obey. He heard a chuckle from far away and felt the fire return, this time trailing down, across his chest, around his nipples… oh god… and progressively southward. The fire burned around his navel and licked playful over his toned abdomen before nipping at his hip bone. He thrust out and almost screamed ‘hallelujah’ when his body obeyed. He could feel the fire continue its descent and he was almost delirious with need. Please don’t stop… please don’t stop…

“Please…” Naruto moaned and Sasuke took the pulsating cock in his mouth, smirking when blue eyes snapped open and Naruto yelled, “Don’t stop!”

Sasuke immediately released him and Naruto pushed himself up onto his elbows, “I could kill you. I could kill you in forty three goddamn different ways. I went to med school for the sole purpose of finding ways to kill you, you…” His tirade was halted by Sasuke’s eager lips that attacked his with almost bruising determination.

“Good morning, dobe.” Sasuke whispered as he pulled back and then immediately drove forward to attack the tan column of Naruto’s neck. The blonde’s elbows gave out and he fell backward against his pillow, Sasuke’s wicked mouth nipping and licking and soothing and driving him absolutely insane.

“Teme…” Naruto said and brought his thankfully working arms up to grab handfuls of Sasuke’s midnight hair before yanking the man’s face level to his own. “I want to play.” Sasuke moaned and tried to lean down again only to be brought short when Naruto didn’t release his hair. He snarled when Naruto smirked up at him. “No, bastard,” Naruto jerked his hands to the side bringing Sasuke down onto the bed before he quickly straddled the pale man, “I want to fucking play!” Naruto growled as he thrust against Sasuke’s boxer clad erection. Sasuke hissed and reached up, pulling Naruto head down harshly until their teeth clicked together and both of them hissed in equal parts pain and pleasure.

“Then,” Sasuke began, “Let’s fucking play.” Sasuke bit the junction between Naruto’s shoulder and neck until the man almost bled, smirking at the startled yell his dobe released. Sasuke leisurely sucked the inflamed skin until Naruto was panting from the sensation. Pale hands ran up quivering thighs, along thin hips and up the toned abdomen before circling Naruto’s dark nipples. Long fingers pinched and pulled and all along his mouth marked the dobe as his own. No one else… ever. He was going to take the blonde in a way that assured the man wouldn’t ever think about any of the other experiences he might have had. After today… after this playtime, Naruto would be ruined for everyone else. The thought made Sasuke smirk and his hands released the swollen nipples and trailed down to Naruto’s ass, cupping the cheeks in his hands before he thrust up hard, grinding against the panting blonde.

“Get on your knees, Naruto.” Sasuke said before he sucked on the tan earlobe. Naruto made a lust garbled sound of response, but Sasuke took the enthusiastic nod as the blonde’s agreement.

Naruto shifted off Sasuke’s hips and kicked the sleep pants that were still around his ankles onto the floor. Sasuke hastily pulled his boxers off and nearly purred with excitement when he looked up to see Naruto holding onto the headboard, his tan ass poised for hostile takeover and Naruto’s blue eyes clouded with lust as he licked his lips taking in the sight of Sasuke in all his naked glory standing by the bed.

“Oh fuck, S’uke.” Naruto moaned and his lids slid shut.

“Look at me, dobe.” Blue eyes opened and watched as his angel slowly crawled onto the bed like a ravenous predator and Naruto couldn’t believe how… excited… he was to be ‘eaten’. When the taller man reached his side he trailed a single finger from Naruto’s Achilles tendon, over his smooth calf and up his tense flank before running over his round buttocks and teasingly circling Naruto’s entrance.

Naruto mewled, “Teasing is cheating, bastard.”

Sasuke leaned down and licked a trail over Naruto’s spine, from his lower back to the nape of his neck, “This is MY game. I make the rules.” Sasuke’s lips worked back down his spine, trailing kisses, licks and nips in his wake, causing Naruto to arch his back like a cat.

“Please…” Naruto said and removed a hand from the headboard to reach between his legs. He woke up with a problem and a man can only stand so much… Sasuke’s pale hand caught his and forced it back on the headboard.

“It stays or I make it stay. Do you understand?” Sasuke hissed, once again leaning against Naruto’s back and whispering in his ear. The only thing that kept Naruto from yelling at Sasuke was the feel of Sasuke’s own obvious ‘problem’ against his backside.

“Yes, bastard. I understand.” Naruto thrust backward, but his hands remained fixed, “Now get serious!”

“Shhh… no one likes a whiner.” Sasuke’s body separated completely from his dobe’s and Naruto shivered at the cool air against his burning skin. In a moment, the dark haired man was back. His fingers immediately attended to preparing his blonde. One, two, three slick fingers entered before Naruto was panting shallowly, his forehead hanging low as he gasp for breath.

“Sasuke… Sasuke… Sasuke…”

The fingers were removed and Naruto didn’t even try to stop his yell of disappointment.

“Tell me, Naru. Tell me how you want it. It’s your game now. Tell me.” Sasuke’s voice was like warm honey.

Naruto felt Sasuke’s member nudge against him and he let loose a long breath. He turned his head to look into Sasuke’s black eyes. “I want,” Naruto gently pushed backwards, feeling Sasuke’s tip anchor at his opening, “I want to forget everything but you… how much you want me… how much I want you. I want us both to be reduced to moans, screams and yells of completion.” Naruto moaned when Sasuke sucked tenderly on the bite mark he had left, “I want it hard. I want it fast. But most importantly, bastard,” Naruto thrust backward, taking the man to his hilt, “I want it NOW.” Naruto hissed out through clinched teeth.

“Fuck!” Sasuke screamed and jumped into action, fulfilling his dobe’s command. He thrust with everything he had again and again, matching Naruto yell for yell and moan for moan. His chest lay flush against Naruto’s back, glistening sweat allowing their bodies to move together like a dance. A pale hand moved around Naruto’s waist and grabbed the neglected but never forgotten member.

“So close…” Naruto said and Sasuke nodded his agreement against Naruto’s shoulder.

When the blonde finally came he screamed out his release as predicted. Sasuke followed closely behind and although he normally muffled his response, he let Naruto hear his scream of completion as well. He smirked when Naruto’s body tightened for a second time around his pulsating member.

“SASUKE!” And the blonde collapsed beneath his teme’s added weight. Sasuke pulled the blonde against him and pushed damp golden locks aside before kissing the back of his tan neck.

“Well…” Naruto said, his voice still winded, “You’ve certainly got game, teme.”

Sasuke groaned against Naruto’s shoulder, “I’m going to pretend you didn’t say that, idiot.”

“Perhaps that’s best.” Naruto agreed, blushing as he cuddled into Sasuke’s warmth, “Yamamoto-san, next door, isn’t going to be happy.”

“Hn. If she says anything, we’ll give her Kakashi’s number. It is his fault we’re home.”

“That’s just…” Naruto shifted and looked into black eyes, his blue eyes alight with happiness, “…perfect.”

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Sasuke quietly got out of bed. Truthfully, he had the need to smother his dobe with a lot more ‘playtime’ but they both needed food. He smirked when Naruto turned over in his sleep, his arm patting the space next to him in the attempt to find Sasuke. When his searched ended in finding empty space, he growled softly and grabbed Sasuke’s pillow, hugging it to himself and muttering his lover’s name.

It looked like the dobe was going to be asleep for a while. Sasuke turned from the adorable sight and grimaced at the flaky white mess on his stomach, heading towards the bathroom and a nice hot shower.

The water hit his aching body, melting away the stress that had accumulated in the last twenty-four hours, although, admittedly, playing with his blonde had been a great stress reliever. Naruto would sleep for another couple of hours and that would give him enough time to go down to the local diner and get them some much needed nourishment because quite frankly, he needed a break from Naruto’s delicate cuisine.

He went back to the room with only a small towel wrapped precariously around his waist. He rolled his eyes at the sprawled figure on the bed who was clutching his pillow tightly to his chest and snoring softly with his mouth slightly opened. The dobe seemed to be exhausted, Sasuke thought, making his way to their shared closet. He reached for a pair of jeans and a dark grey sweater and then dug out some black boxers from his drawer. Quickly dressing, he came to stand by the bed looking down at Naruto, frowning a little at the bruise that had formed around his eye. It reminded him that he would have to call a lawyer. It was a good thing that the other branch of the family specialized in Law. An evil dark thought, which can only belong to an Uchiha, began to form in his mind. He knew the perfect person to call in… someone that he knew would make Kakashi squirm. Ha! Take that Kakashi!

He knelt with one knee on the bed and pressed his lips on the dobe’s cheek, whispering to the still sleeping blonde, “I’ll be back, going to go get breakfast.” Naruto had dark circles around his eyes, not just the horrible black eye. He was exhausted and Sasuke thought that maybe the suspension was not such a bad thing but Kakashi was still going to pay. He stood up and left the room.

He grunted a good morning to several of their neighbors who only smiled, knowing that Sasuke was a bit of a recluse and that the only person who truly animated him was his roommate. Yamamoto-san, their next door neighbor, just happened to be going out at the same time he was and gave him a very dirty look. Sasuke repressed the urged to do something childish and stick out his tongue like he knew his lover would but instead he gave her his famous flirtatious look. She wasn’t too impressed. He and Naruto had a bet going on whether or not she was a lesbian and from the harsh glare that she gave him, he just might lose that bet. The dobe was loud during their bouts of ‘play’ but he loved to hear him shout out his name and wasn’t going to let some old, man-hating hag stop them. He shrugged and walked towards the diner.

He gave an irritated sigh when he saw that it was packed, like usual. The food was excellent and many came to eat there. He waited patiently for his turn to order ignoring the sly, inviting looks he received from both males and females.

His phone rang while he was waiting for his order. “Moshi, Moshi?” He said into it, impatiently tapping his foot.

“I heard you were suspended.” His father’s voice instantly made his semi-good mood fly out the window.

“Yes,” Sasuke waited holding his breath. Why was it that only his parents could make him feel like a small, inadequate child?
“I see. What happened?” His father asked the impatience in his voice clearly heard even through the wireless connection.

“I can’t discuss it but it’s a minor thing and I will fix it,” Sasuke’s voice was cold and detached.

“See that you do.” His father hung up without any of the pleasantries that should have been between father and son.

Sasuke stared down at his phone almost willing it to ring again so he could tell his father off. His fingers itched to call him back and scream out his frustration at not being good enough for them but the waitress giggled and smiled at him as she handed him the order, interrupting his murderous intentions. He nodded and thanked the girl. Leaving the diner, he quickened his steps, wanting nothing more than to get home to the only person that made things right in his world.

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Sasuke put his keys away as he walked into the apartment, listening for any signs of movement and smiling when he heard his dobe cursing him for using all the hot water. He gave a silent laugh making his way to the kitchen table and began taking out what his dobe so playfully called a suicide breakfast.

“Dobe! Get your delectable ass in here!” He called out loudly. Naruto appeared in the doorway, wearing jeans and an orange shirt with a darker orange swirl on the front. He walked slowly towards the table wincing as he sat down.

“Do you want me to bring you a pillow? I’m sure we have a blowup donut around here somewhere.” Sasuke asked a smirk of satisfaction on his face. He chuckled when Naruto gave him a dirty look.

“Fuck you, bastard,” he mumbled as he chewed his bacon. Sasuke smiled innocently at him and Naruto choked back a retort, he was too tired and too hungry to blast the bastard.

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Sasuke was at ease, comfortably enjoying the quiet, stress free environment but Naruto, who was lying between Sasuke’s legs on the living room couch, was quite restless. His head lay just under Sasuke’s chin and he kept shifting around, glancing from the TV to Sasuke and then back to the TV until Sasuke turned off the TV, gently pushing Naruto up and around until the blonde sat looking at him.

“What’s wrong?” He asked suspiciously. His dobe wanted something and it was something he felt that he wouldn’t like.

“I-I..” Naruto looked away and ran a hand through his hair in a nervous gesture. Sasuke sighed, reaching out for him and pulled him into a hug. Naruto’s hair tickled his nose as he breathed.

“Just tell me. You don’t ever need to be afraid of telling me anything,” he felt the dobe relax and Naruto gently pushed himself away from Sasuke and took a deep breath.

“I want to adopt the twins.” Hopeful blue eyes stared into shock black ones.

“What?” Sasuke asked blinking. He hadn’t been expecting that from Naruto. A slow determined look came into the blonde’s eyes.

“I said I would like for us to adopt the twins, Yoshi and Yuri.” He repeated himself more firmly.

Sasuke’s heart dropped and his hands clenched into fists, he stood up suddenly, looking down at Naruto’s now pleading eyes.

“Please. Please, don’t say no, at least not right away.” Naruto begged standing up himself.

“Naruto, why? I mean, you can’t go around adopting every orphan that you come across in the hospital. That’s just insane!” Sasuke’s voice was harsh.

Naruto flinched, “I don’t want to adopt every orphan, Sasuke! I just want those two kids!”

A rush of inadequacies filled Sasuke’s heart. Wasn’t he enough for Naruto? Didn’t he give him enough love?

“Naruto?” He asked slowly, his dark eyes clouded over with a hard expression, “Is this about your childhood?”

Naruto body stiffened, “No, this is not about my childhood! This is about me! I want a family!” He screamed fed up with Sasuke. He knew the bastard well and he knew that he was afraid of being someone’s father because of the lack of his own father in his life.

Sasuke flinched, looking away from Naruto. Naruto would not force him into adopting children he didn’t even know. He would not be forced into becoming a father!

“What the FUCK, Naruto! Aren’t I enough for you! I thought WE were a family!” Sasuke lost what little control that he had been holding onto. He wouldn’t be force into parenthood, not by anyone.

“Why can’t you ever listen to me?” Naruto asked blinking away the tears gathering in his eyes rapidly. “Why can’t you support me in anything? This is just like when I was telling you about the funding for the hospital. You never let me explain my side. You never listen, you never support me. It’s like all am to you is a pretty, convenient FUCK TOY!”

The words were out before Naruto to stop himself from uttering them. Sasuke face became thunderous and he turned away from Naruto, walking towards the bedroom. At first Naruto felt defeated and sad but then anger took over. He knew that Sasuke loved him, knew that the dark hair man never saw him as a toy, but sometimes he didn’t feel like he was his equal.

“I’m not done talking to you!” He reached out to take a hold of Sasuke who was pulling something out from the pocket of his discarded clothes from the day before. Naruto jerked the dark haired teme around and two tiny bits of paper were thrust into his face.

“I fucking love you, you idiot, and I don’t see you as my fuck toy, as you so elegantly put it!”

Naruto snatched the papers away from Sasuke, quickly scanning them. They were checks made out to him from Sasuke’s parents, the date suggesting that it had been only yesterday.

“What is this?” He asked in a trembling voice, his eyes searching Sasuke’s for an explanation.

“My proof, Naruto, that everything you say is important to me, even thought I may not act like it, even though you may not notice!” He said as he jerked his arms through the sleeve of his jacket.

Naruto eyes widen with comprehension, “This is for the hospital?” He asked. Sasuke gave him a withering look, “Yes, Naruto, I lowered myself, forsaking my pride, to ask for it from my parents.” Sasuke’s voice sounded dead as he tried to hide the pain he was feeling under his normal cold mask but Naruto could see right through it.

“Damn it, Sasuke, I don’t want your parents’ money. All I ever wanted was for you to listen to me, to make me feel that I was a part of your life, a part of you!” He ripped the checks into little pieces. Sasuke was always trying to fix things with money, Naruto thought.

There was a long tense silence where Sasuke felt like his body had been hit by a ton of bricks. Naruto was rejecting him. Naruto didn’t need him and anger surged through his body. He walked passed Naruto, shoving him to the side when the dobe tried to stop him. Naruto stumbled but managed to regain his balance.

“Sasuke, no, please, come back!” He said urgently, feeling like he had unintentionally broken something fragile between them. It had not been his intention. He ran after Sasuke, “Please, Sasuke, don’t go away angry,” he pleaded grabbing him by his forearm.

“You are my family and I love you but I know that we can be good parents to those children.” He begged, repressing a sob but Sasuke had his face turned away from him.

“I can only give you so much, Naruto,” he said in dead voice as he opened the door and walked out.

Naruto sank to his knees, slamming his fisted hands against the floor, trying to fight back the anger and the tears. Sasuke, he thought, all I need you to give me is you.

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Sasuke allowed his feet to carry him where they would but he knew exactly where they would end up. His feet only knew how to go two places… to the hospital and to Naruto.

He shoved his hands in his pocket and wondered why Naruto didn’t remind him to grab a heavier jacket. Normally the idiot was so concerned about his health. So sensitive to the changing weather patterns. The wind blew harshly, reddening his cheeks and a flash of tear filled, blue eyes entered his mind. Ah yes, that’s why he was freezing his ass off. His dobe had been too busy begging him to stay, begging him to listen, begging him to love him…

Fuck.

Sasuke growled. Naruto had never mentioned wanting a family before. Yes, Sasuke knew Naruto loved children and he also didn’t miss the longing looks at filled playgrounds and happy families, but he thought he was enough.

Sasuke couldn’t do children. There is was. It’s not as though he hadn’t entertained the thought. Who doesn’t at some point? But, perhaps he had entertained it a little less than most people and that was due to two very important reasons. One, he was gay. His partner/spouse/fuck toy… Sasuke growled, scaring passing walkers… wasn’t ever going to be able to give him a child. He was a doctor. He pretty much knew this for a fact. That aside, reason number two was why he wouldn’t entertain any of the other ways one came upon children when a fertile womb wasn’t readily available, Sasuke was destined, by god and all the other Uchihas, to be a piss poor father.

There he said it. Wasn’t admitting there was a problem the first step? But the first step to what? Admitting it didn’t fix anything. His father had been… Sasuke stopped. Wait, what should a father be? His father had made sure that both his sons were cared for… nannies… and fed… personal chefs… and sheltered… three story, thirty four room monstrosity… and educated… in medicine. Sasuke never wanted for anything. He always had the best clothes, technology and toys available. All of his needs were met. So, perhaps his parents hadn’t been terrible.

As he was walking he remembered watching some video in some class in college that he had to take to become a doctor. Sort of like all the other videos and classes. In the end, it was so he could be a damn doctor. Sasuke shook his black head and sidestepped something that look suspiciously like vomit. Anyway, it showed a baby monkey in a cage. In one corner there was a metal arm with a bottle of food. In the other corner was a makeshift ‘mother’, a pile of warm fur with an artificial heartbeat. The idea was to see which ‘mother’ would be more important to the frightened little furball that had most likely been ripped away from his ‘real’ mother when the camera started rolling. The baby immediately went to the fur covered mother and stayed there and stayed there and stayed there. Finally, after more than a day, the baby eased away for the ‘comfort’ mother and ran to the bottle. He sucked down food like he was starving and he probably was and then ran directly back into his mother’s arms. The commentator gave some spiel about how ‘love’ needed to be included as one of the basic ‘needs’ along with food, shelter and so on. The monkey baby had chosen to stay near its ‘mother’ even at the risk of starvation.

Sasuke had rolled his eyes. He hated those fucking experiments. He was a cold hearted bastard, by his own account, but who the hell starved monkeys to make such a lame point that no one would listen to… that no one would care about. Sasuke was drawn from his thoughts that day by a muffled sniff beside him. He turned and saw Naruto crying softly beside him. The dobe had cared, that’s who.

Sasuke fell in love that day.

Sasuke shook his head… back to the point. The bottom line was that all of his needs were met by the ‘metal arm’. Sasuke hadn’t even realized he was missing a ‘comfort mother’ in his life. Such a thing didn’t even exist in his realm of possibility. That was until he met Naruto and then, unlike the little monkey, Sasuke ran. The little monkey had experienced love from someplace. His mother, the damn scientists, the night janitor… someone had given the little bastard a pat, a tickle under the chin, a soft cooing of words. Not Sasuke. Had he been locked in that metal cage, he would have set up shop at the food dispenser and glared at anyone who got near.

He had known Naruto for four years… years… before he allowed himself to test the warmth, to seek love. Four years before he selfishly decided his need to be loved outweighed Naruto’s need for the same thing. Naruto, the stupid idiot-dobe, had thrown all his love at the coldest ‘metal arm’ there was. But, damn that dobe, Naruto was unique. He was love incarnate and a born teacher besides. With everything he said and did, Naruto showed Sasuke how ‘to’ love and how ‘to be’ loved. Sasuke thrived under Naruto’s patient tutoring and six years later Sasuke knew how to love Naruto with his whole heart and how to appreciate Naruto’s love in return.

But now… now Naruto wanted to add something else to the mix. Not something… someone. Not someone… someones… as in plural. What the hell was he going to do?

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The shrill honk was his only warning before Sasuke’s legs were taken out by the bumper of a car. Sasuke lay on the pavement, blinking up at the clouds, quickly doing an internal inventory of his injuries.

“Fuck, are you o… Oh, it’s you. Let me get back in the car and finish the job then.”

Sasuke turned his head and looked into black eyes identical to his own then groaned, closing them.

“Little brother,” Itachi said, bending down and ignoring the beeps and shouts, “Remember when you were like four and I taught you the importance of looking both ways before crossing the street?” Itachi’s strong fingers ran behind Sasuke’s neck and scalp, feeling his spine for injury.

“I’m fine.” Sasuke said slapping away his brother’s hands and sitting up, “And yes I remember, you made me play ‘Frogger’ and whenever the damn frog got smashed you’d scream that I was a murderer.”

Itachi smirked and offered Sasuke his hand, “Yes, but you never crossed the street without looking both ways… until today. Do I see ‘Frogger’ refresher course in your future? I’m sure Blondie would enjoy it.”

Itachi knew his brother and the instant the words were out of his mouth, Sasuke’s entire mask changed. Still firm in place, just different.

“Or maybe it is Naruto’s fault you were being careless.”

“Don’t say that.” Sasuke hissed, “It wasn’t his fault.”

“Huh. But it was his something.”

Sasuke shrugged, shoving his hands back into his pockets and turned to walk away. Itachi was on him in a heartbeat.

“Where are you going?” He asked and turned his little brother toward his car. “I know you were suspended from the hospital, so why would you be heading there?” He opened the car door and shoved his surprisingly compliant brother in the passenger’s seat before walking around the car. At the inquisitive looks he was receiving he yelled, “He’s okay! Shook it off like a good little soldier!”

Sliding into the front seat he closed the door and turned to his brother.

“Let’s chat.”

Sasuke rolled his eyes and allowed his head to fall back against the headrest, “You know, Itachi? That might be a very good idea.” Itachi’s eyes widened, “But I do need to go to the hospital, can we talk there?”

“Of course.” Itachi entered traffic and spent the next four blocks trying not to hit anyone else while he cast curious glances at his passenger to figure out what was up with his brother.

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Sasuke was silent throughout the drive, silent during the walk through the parking lot and damn near dead as they crossed the ER before entering the elevators.

“Where are we going?” Itachi asked leaning against the wall.

Sasuke blinked and looked at him, “Pediatrics.”

“Isn’t Naruto suspended too?”

“We aren’t here to see him.” The doors opened and Sasuke walked out, followed closely by Itachi.

“God, I hate Pooh-Bear.” The older man grumbled. “Why are we here again? Cause I have to tell you, if we weren’t in a hospital and you were missing some teeth, I would think you were taking me somewhere to kill me… what with all the silence and the gloom and the doom…”

Sasuke had stopped in front of a large window that looked in on the Pediatrics playroom. His hands were once again in his pockets and he just stared. Itachi tried to locate who or what his brother was fascinated with and saw two toddlers playing together in the corner. The girl held a doll in her arms and was force feeding the poor thing a plastic carrot. The boy laughed while running around her, his arms wide spread like an airplane.

Itachi noticed that they both had midnight black hair and pale skin. The boy’s hair stood up in all directions and the girl’s was pulled up into two curly pig tails on the sides of her head. They could be little Sasuke clones.

Itachi smirked, “Little brother, is there something you want to tell me…” He heard Sasuke’s sharp intake of breath and turned to look at the twins. His own breath caught in his throat when they both turned, perhaps noticing their watchers, and their eyes sparkled like sapphires.

“Holy shit. They could be yours and…”

“Naruto wants them.” Sasuke said finally breaking his silence.

Itachi looked at his brother’s reflection in the glass. Sasuke’s face was blank and he just stared at the playing children but his eyes were lost, scared and alone. Itachi felt his chest tighten. Suddenly, he wanted to protect his little brother, crawl with him under their covers and hide. He wanted to tickle him like he had when Sasuke was younger, tickle him until tears came to his eyes and Sasuke forgot his hurts and fears.

“I- I can’t be a father, Itachi,” Sasuke said and his eyes closed, “I don’t know how.”

Itachi let his head bow, before turning it to the side, “Come here.” Itachi turned and sat in the chairs across the hall. Sasuke looked at the twins one more time before following suit.

“Naruto told me he wanted to adopt them this morning.” Sasuke ran a hand through his hair, “I got angry. I yelled and I said things that I normally wouldn’t say. I was… scared. I had hoped that I would be enough for him. That I could be his whole family, like he is mine.” Sasuke looked up with wide eyes at the man who had been the closest thing to a fur covered robot that he had. “I didn’t mean…”

“Shut up, Sasuke. I understand what you mean.” Itachi leaned back in his chair, “Why are you scared of being a father?”

“Please, Itachi… don’t play the dumb paramedic card on me. You’ve a fucking genius. You know why.”

Itachi chuckled darkly, “I’m going to let the paramedic crack go this time, doctor, since you’re obviously upset. So, our father was an asshole? I would think it would be as easy as just thinking to yourself, ‘What would Father do?’ and then doing the exact opposite.”

“I’m the metal arm.” Sasuke mumbled, the back of his head hitting the wall harshly, “I don’t know how to love anyone but Naruto.” Pained black eyes fell on Itachi, “I don’t even really know how to love you. You who raised me and encouraged me and helped me to be just a little bit different than the mold Father had all picked out. How can I possible love two children? I’ll destroy them and in destroying them, I will destroy Naruto.”

Itachi’s face twisted into a sneer, “Stop this. Whatever it is you’re trying to do to yourself, I will not allow. I might not be a damn doctor but I am still an Uchiha and I will not sit here and watch you be weak.”

The older man almost sighed out loud when anger flashed like lightning across his brother’s eyes.

“Excuse me? I’m fucking trying to work out my feelings or some shit with the one person, besides the damn dobe, that I can and you are throwing your Uchiha-ness at me?”

“Your feelings? Is that what the garble of woe was, because all I heard was ‘poor me’ and ‘it’s too much for me to handle’. God, if Father heard you…”

“Fuck you!” Sasuke hissed, “I don’t care what Father thinks! Do you hear me? This isn’t about him. This is about me and Naruto and if we want to start a family. It has nothing… NOTHING… to do with him!”

“No, Sasuke,” Itachi stood, “It doesn’t. It has to do with you, Naruto and the love you could give those two babies. Fuck, Sasuke, ask anyone. You and Naruto walk into a room and your sickening love nearly drowns us all and instead of trying to cough it out of our lungs, we all take deeper breaths.” Itachi closed his eyes and ran both hands through his long, black hair, “You know how to love, Naruto taught you. You just don’t want to share, because if you did, then maybe Naruto would too. That’s what the problem is. You’re not scared of being a bad father. You are more than capable of learning. You’re not scared of not being able to love someone else… you know you can. You’re scared that Naruto’s love for you will change, lessen. What you don’t understand is…” Itachi shrugged and turned toward the elevators.

Sasuke blinked owlishly before standing up, “What? What don’t I understand?”

“Naruto doesn’t want to love those kids. Naruto doesn’t want you to love those kids.” The door opened and Itachi stepped onto the elevator, “Naruto wants to love them together with you.”

And with that he was gone.

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Sasuke turned and walked back to the window. Most of the other children were gone now, but the twins had stayed in their corner. The boy was still laughing and smiling and Sasuke smirked when the little girl rolled her eyes, calling her brother something that made the three year old stop his play to yell, his little arms flailing.

The twins must have noticed him because they turned once more and looked right at him. Sasuke nodded his head and sent them a small smile. The little girl paused before returning the gesture, but the little boy ran to the window, pressing his chubby palm against it while yelling ‘hi’. Sasuke couldn’t hear him, but he chuckled and then before he realized what he was doing, his own hand came up and pushed against the glass, right were the chibi hand was. The boy calmed down immediately and nodded his head, black locks falling into his clear blue eyes. With a last blinding smile, he hopped down and continued playing airplane.

Pulling his hand back, Sasuke bowed his head to look at it and felt mildly surprised that it didn’t look radically different.

“Oh, hello, Doctor Uchiha.” Sasuke turned and saw Shizune headed his way, “What brings you to Peds?”

Sasuke looked into the glass room one more time and turned to the dark haired woman.

“I was wondering if we could talk.”

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After Sasuke had left, Naruto decided to get off his ass and pay a visit to the people that took in a lost, abused, and mistrustful boy and turned him into the man he was now. He couldn’t have survived those years without the Sarutobis. He thanked God for putting them in his path. They took him in, a semi-crazed sixteen year old who thought that he was unlovable, whose life had been filled with monsters and showed him that he was loveable and that there were actually people who weren’t out to get him, to use him…

He quickly grabbed the keys to their car and looked at the little license plate keychain that hung amidst an assortment of keys with his and Sasuke’s initials on it, a cheesy heart in the middle. Naruto ran his thumb over it, closing his eyes remembering his surprise when Sasuke had brought it home. The bastard had tossed it at him and grunted something about always, love and what was his was also Naruto’s. His insanely emotionally repressed lover had been so cute but, of course, Naruto had not said that aloud.

How could I have told him that he thought of me as his fuck toy!

He shook his head and sighed. Grabbing his heavy jacket from the living room closet, he frowned when he noticed Sasuke’s own jacket. Naruto reached out a trembling hand and trailed his fingers lightly over the sleeve, thinking about the cold front that he knew was coming and the teme only wearing a light jacket. He closed the closet door. There was nothing he could do now. Sasuke was gone. He swallowed hard. God, please, don’t let the bastard leave me. It wasn’t worth losing Sasuke. Nothing was. If it came down to Sasuke or those children, there was no question on which one he would choose.

“I hope you know that, bastard. I hope you know that if you’re not with me, then adopting the twins would mean nothing to me,” he muttered to himself as he inserted the key and listened as the engine turned over. He placed the car in reverse and headed towards the highway. It wouldn’t take him longer than a couple of hours to get to the Sarutobis and then he could bask in their love and ask the old man for advice.

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Shizune stared at the stony young man sitting in front of her. She blinked several times and had the urge to pinch herself just to make sure that she wasn’t dreaming. Doctor Uchiha, of the famous Uchihas, had just requested something that she could have never foreseen happening… not in a million years.

“You want to adopt Yoshi and Yuri Tottori?” She repeated slowly, staring straight into those cold, hard eyes. She knew Sasuke was great doctor and that his family was wealthy but the man showed no feeling to anyone except Naruto. In her opinion, he wasn’t a good candidate for adoption and there were many factors to consider.

“Yes, we want to adopt them. Is there a problem?” He asked in a polite but distant voice. She raised an eyebrow.

“Where do I begin?” She adjusted her small gold rimmed glasses buying her time. “There are just too many factors to consider… your work schedule, you home situation and most of all, your psychological profile.”

She noticed the way he stiffened, annoyance flickering in his eyes before it was controlled and repressed and once more, a blank, unemotional face was presented to her.

“Shizune, I know that we can offer those children everything that they will not be getting in a foster home,” he said, forcing himself to relax in the uncomfortable chair.

“Oh, and what is that? Children need more than just financial stability…” she said leaning forward in an attempt to find an ounce of emotional response in the man in front of her.

“I know.” Sasuke nodded meeting her searching eyes, “I’m a doctor and I wouldn’t be a good doctor if I didn’t care about those people that walk into the ER. We can offered them love, affection and protection. Have you met my dobe?” He finished with a fond smile.

Shizune almost smiled back, releasing a breath she didn’t even realize she was holding. Yes, Naruto was full of love and if he could love Sasuke and live with him and declare him lovable, then maybe it wouldn’t be such a bad idea. She tapped a pencil against her desk and reaching for the phone, her fingers quickly began dialing a number that might change Sasuke’s and Naruto’s lives forever.

“Yes, Hinata Hyuuga please?” She said into the phone. Sasuke’s heart pounded and he suppressed an uncharacteristic urge to jump up and down in victory. Uchihas, he reminded himself, don’t make fools of themselves in public but he did give Shizune a small, happy smile. He would bring those children home to Naruto and they would become a family. His family! His and Naruto’s.

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Naruto turned into the driveway of an old and much loved house. In this house, he had learned the true meaning of family, the true meaning of love and it hadn’t been easy. The first few weeks with the Sarutobis had been disastrous, with him angry and rebellious at every turn. But the old man had been patient, understanding and tenacious. Naruto had lashed out at him and had even run away a couple of times, but Uncle Asuma had dragged him back and handed him over to the old man time and time again. Opening his car door, Naruto stepped out of the car and plastered a fake smile on his face.

He rang the door bell with a finger that shook uncontrollably to his horror. As the door opened, Naruto willed his face and body to appear natural, normal but the wrinkled face, whose eyes lit up with happiness at seeing his visitor, soon figured out that something was wrong.

“Not that I’m not glad to see you, Naruto,” the old man began stepping aside to let him in. “You are always welcome here, of course, but I can tell that this is not just a simple visit.”

Tears welled up in sky blue eyes, “I think I lost him, Grandpa. I really thing I lost him this time!” He threw himself into the arms of the older man, holding on for dear life as his world fell apart.

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There was satisfaction in Sasuke’s face when he walked out of Shizune’s office and he ignored the curious looks that the staff kept giving him as he walked out of the hospital. He couldn’t wait to go home and surprise his dobe with the news. His heart and mind were at ease after the conversation with his brother. Itachi always knew how to make him feel better and he sincerely hoped that he could be to the twins half of what Itachi had been to him growing up. He had to grudgingly admit that they were cute and he could see what Naruto saw in them. Yoshi and Yuri could be their biological children and he laughed to himself, once again forgetting to look before he crossed the street.

This time however, the car stopped a few inches away from him. He looked up startled into the dark eyes of his brother once more. Itachi angrily got of the car, slamming his door shut and grabbing his little brother by his jacket. He pulled him close, staring into his eyes. He was aware that several cars were honking and cursing at them but both brothers ignored them all.


“Do you want me to kill you?” Itachi growled his eyes flashing. “Tell me now, so that I can put you out of your misery in my own sadistically creative way!” He shook Sasuke and younger man gave his big brother an amused smirk.

“Do you think that you could give me a ride home?” He asked savoring that word in his tongue.

There was an incoherent growl from Itachi as he dropped Sasuke and jerked his head towards the passenger side.

“Come on. Get in, foolish little brother, before you get killed.” Sasuke scrambled inside the car, relaxing in the seat. He was aware that his brother was giving him curious looks much to Sasuke amusement.

“I see that you thought about what I said before?” Itachi said. His curiosity had been peaked and there was concern for Sasuke in his voice… well as much as an Uchiha could show. Sasuke, even if he wasn’t aware of it, was a passionate person. He wouldn’t be a doctor if he didn’t have passion for saving lives. He had turned out to be a relatively sane person with little quirks here and there, like any other Uchiha, really, and he would thank Naruto everyday of his life for loving Sasuke. Naruto had opened his emotionally stunted little brother in ways that he could never do. He had tried his best to be there for Sasuke, showing him brotherly love as much as his Uchiha upbringing could allow. But it was Naruto’s love, encouragement and attention that had allowed Sasuke to be more than just his career… more than just an Uchiha.

“I more than thought about, brother, I did something.” He turned his head towards Itachi, his lips curving into a small smile.

“Hn. What did you do?” Itachi asked but already knew the answer, he was a genius after all.

“I had a talk with Shizune and informally requested to adopt the twins,” Sasuke explained and his satisfaction and excitement were barely contained.

“And?”

Sasuke laughed, “And it looks like there will be two new Uchihas if all goes well. In the mean time, I started the paperwork with Shizune to become their foster parents.”

“Hn, congratulations, little brother.” Sasuke could hear the approval in his brother’s voice and consciously forced himself to save this moment, this memory, forever in his mind. “Just one more thing… I don’t do babysitting.”

Sasuke’s lips lifted once more. He and his dobe would make sure that Itachi would always be included in their little family. He leaned his head against the head rest and closed his eyes. The image of his blonde soon appeared underneath his close eyelids, Naruto wore the crazy grin that has always made his heart race.

Naruto his friend, his rival, his lover…..his everything.

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Kakashi was about to enjoy the first moment of peace since he had since coming in to work. The ER was hectic without their two best doctors. Gaara and the rest of the staff were running around taking care of a heavier load, a load he had to admit was usually taken care of by Naruto and Sasuke. He pulled open his desk drawer, taking out a Cuban. He sniffed it appreciatively before biting off one end of it. He wasn’t going to smoke it, there was no smoking in the hospital, of course, but just to have it in between his teeth was relaxing enough. He rubbed his eyes tiredly, yawing as he leaned back in his leather chair, his fingers pressing the massage button. He groaned out loud in pleasure. Sometimes, even if it was just for a moment, life was good, he thought.

The sound of his door being thrown open had him jumping out of his skin. He choked on his saliva, his eyes watering as he coughed to regain his breath. Then the sound of a voice reached his oxygen deficient brain and horror filled it.

“Hey, Kakashi-bastard, what are you doing? Choking to death?” The grinning idiot asked him stepping further inside what was once his little corner of heaven.

Kakashi managed to catch his breath and the shock of seeing his visitor made him sit back heavily in his chair. He absently turned off the massager. He must be having a nightmare, yes that was it. That man wasn’t here and he wasn’t standing in front of his desk holding a brief case wearing a slightly wrinkled grey suit with a navy blue shirt. No, it wasn’t him. His most hated adversary, his most loved lover and the only person that somehow always managed to get under his skin.

He closed his eyes tightly.”Please, let it be a dream. Please, let it be a damn dream!” He muttered to himself.

Then he heard it, the most annoying sound in the world, the sound that made his skin break out in goose bumps… his ex’s amused laughter.

“You wish, Kakashi-bastard. Aren’t you glad to see me?” The man’s voice had changes from loud and obnoxious to deep, husky velvet. It was that voice that he hadn’t been able to resist in college and even after they had graduated. He pried one eyed open and immediately closed it again when he saw midnight black hair with laughing coal colored eyes. He went for the gold and opened both eyes, hoping that maybe, just maybe, the man would disappear. Nope, he was still standing there impatiently glaring at him.

“What the fuck, Kakashi! You would think you aren’t glad to see me!” The whining, annoying voice was back and it yelled at him. Kakashi could feel the slight headache from earlier come back ten times more painful.

“Come on, Kakashi, a kiss for old time’s sake,” the man from his nightmares had suddenly appeared next to him. Kakashi leaned away from the pale lips but not far enough. Those lips were just how he remembered them, succulent and soft. He mentally grumbled, nobody had a right to have lips like that and as they moved against his, Kakashi gave a helpless mewl. The doofus smirked against his lips and pushed himself closer while Kakashi tried to leaned away from him. There was a sudden yelp, probably from both of them, and the chair toppled over. The doofus, as Kakashi so lovingly called him, was lying on top of him, his lips still pressed against his own.

His office door was once again opened and an anxious Iruka poked his head inside.

“Are you all right, Kakashi?” He asked concerned. Kakashi wanted to die when the doofus laughed and picked himself up. There was an embarrassed and surprised look on Iruka’s face before it was suddenly suffocated with a deep red blush.

“The bastard has a hard head, nothing can crack it. Believe me, I have tried,” he gave Iruka a cocky wink and a wide grin before turning around to offer his hand to Kakashi.

Kakashi wished the ground would open up beneath him and swallowed him whole. He slapped the doofus’ hand away, glaring at him.

“Iruka, I’m fine!” he muttered in a dismissive tone, it was a relief to the brown haired man, who hastily closed the door on them.

“What the hell hole did you crawl out of?” Kakashi demanded his eyelids twitching. He wanted to scream and throw a tantrum like a child or maybe wrap his hands around the pale neck and squeeze. Kakashi was aware that it might not be the sanest reaction but anything goes when it comes to his ex-lover.

“Well, before you kill me, dismember me and stuff me somewhere in your office, I’m here on official business.” His ex explained himself with a sheepish look. Kakashi however, was still in denial and was not listening.

He had to be on his guard when it came to this particular man because he was dangerous underneath that harmless smile and those dreamy black abysses that he had for eyes. Kakashi was jerked out of his thoughts… wait, did the doofus just say something about business. He narrowed his eyes into slits. Oh, god, please, don’t let it be true, he prayed.

“What business?”

“I am here representing Sasuke and Naruto. I’m their lawyer! You know what they say… blood is thicker than family… or no, wait… thicker than water,” The happy, little tone didn’t escape Kakashi’s ear. “You know, now that I think about it, that doesn’t really make since, I mean… well, duh…”

Kakashi stopped listening. He knew his ex was as sadistic as the rest of his family, regardless of the adorable, innocence he seemed to radiate. What else could you expect from an Uchiha? Several thoughts ran through his head, the most prominent being that Sasuke Uchiha wouldn’t see the light of day once he got back from his suspension. No, he would make sure that he suffered for bringing Obito Uchiha back into his life.

Obito, his rival, his friend, his lover…..the bane of his existence.

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Naruto found himself at the dining room table, looking down on the same off white tablecloth of his youth, while Grandfather Sarutobi walked out of the kitchen with steaming cups of tea.

“I could have helped.” Naruto said standing, grabbing his own cup before pulling the old man’s chair out for him.

“You are the guest, I am the host and,” brown eyes twinkled, “I need you to change the bathroom light bulb before you leave. You do that and we’ll call it even.”

Naruto smiled and nodded, “Even.”

“So, what did you do?” Sarutobi said looking across at the table at his blonde ‘grandson’. He smiled into his cup when Naruto immediately took offense.

“Now, why do you assume that I did something? The bastard is more than capable of doing something. In fact, he does lots of ‘somethings’ you don’t even know about… everyday.”

“I’m quite sure that he does. Some of those ‘somethings’ I’d really rather not know about, if you don’t mind.”

Naruto’s face turned eight different shades of red and he choked on his tea, “Jiraiya was right! You are a closet pervert, aren’t you?” Naruto’s eye’s closed into suspicious slits and his finger pointed accusingly. The old man reached out and clasped his weathered hand around the tan hand, bringing then both down to the table.

Sarutobi chuckled, “Naruto, we are getting away from the point. Whatever you did, we need to wrap up so that you can go home and make it better.”

Naruto let out a long, sad sigh, “I think maybe I crossed a line. I didn’t know it was there,” Naruto ran a hand over his face, “No, that’s a lie. I did. I did know, but I hoped that Sasuke would be willing to jump together just this once. Trust me, just this once. I might have miscalculated that.”

Sarutobi nodded, looking at the young man before him, noticing the deep bruising around his eye and down the side of his face. Had Jiraiya not called last night to ‘tattle’ on the young blonde, telling of Naruto’s confrontation and subsequent suspension, Sarutobi would have had Asuma hauling Uchiha’s ass off to jail.

Sarutobi gave a gentle smile, “I think you have been around me too long, Naruto. You have mastered the ability of not answering a question by mysteriously answering it.”

Naruto laughed. It was slightly forced, but true none the less, “I’ve always wanted to be like you, old man. I’ve never hidden that.” Naruto took another sip and leaned back in the chair, “Two days ago, a family came into the ER. The parents died leaving three year old twins, a boy and a girl, alone.” Naruto stood up, thrusting his hands in his pockets before pacing next to the table, much like he had a hundred times before, “Grandpa, you know me… I love kids. I always have. I never want to see any of them hurt and alone. But, after becoming a doctor, you also know, mostly because you drilled it into my head, that I have to trust the system. It might have failed spectacularly for me, but it isn’t bad.”

Sarutobi nodded silently. His blonde had grown so much…

“And so, I have always trusted Shizune and the other case workers with the children I defer to them. I know they will be in good hands.” Naruto ran a hand through his hair, “Because of that, I have never, not once, thought about ‘saving’ them. The system will. That’s what it’s for.” The blonde released a long sigh, “Until the twins. And ‘saving’ is the wrong word. I don’t want to save them… I want to love them. I want them to be ours.”

The older man nodded and felt his heart clinch, having a good idea where this conversation was headed.

“I asked Sasuke this morning.” Naruto’s voice had dropped to one octave above a whisper, “I asked him and he immediately refused. He didn’t let me say anything. His anger spurred my anger which spurred his anger which sent him out the door to god knows where and me to you.”

“Hmm.” The old man said, “What would you have told him if he had listened?”

“I would have told him that I knew he was scared and that I was scared too. I would have told him that I didn’t want the twins for me… I wanted them for us. I would have told him that the only way I would ever take on this, or any challenge, was with him by my side.”

Naruto had sunk back into his seat and his eyes were defeated, sad and frightened. “But I didn’t say any of that. Instead I accused him of thinking of me as his fuck toy…” Naruto blushed, “Sorry. And ripped up his offering to me. Callously, with no thought to what Sasuke went through.”

Sarutobi knew he had missed something, but Naruto began again, “I guess it’s not just the bastard then, is it? He didn’t listen to my feelings about the twins and I didn’t even entertain the notion of allowing his parents to donate to the hospital, didn’t even think about how hard that must have been for him, instead I just ripped the checks and his sacrifice to pieces, letting them fall at his feet.”

Tears ran down scarred cheeks and Naruto slid off his chair falling at his grandfather’s feet. “I don’t know if we can come back from that. His face was empty, grandpa, empty.” Naruto laid his head against the old man’s knee, “And I didn’t tell him to take a warmer jacket. He’s out there freezing, thinking that I don’t love him, that he isn’t enough for me and the bastard doesn’t realize that he’s everything to me.”

A wrinkled hand ran through his hair and Naruto closed his eyes.

“Naruto, Sasuke loves you. And he knows… he knows because he feels the same way about you. You’ve both had time to work through your thoughts. You need to go home and try again. Maybe you come away with a bigger family,” Wise eyes twinkled, “Imagine, me with great-grandchildren… or maybe you realize that the two of you are family enough, but you’ll work it out.”

Naruto lifted his head and nodded. His grandfather stood, offering him a hand, “Sasuke is probably at home wondering where you are as we speak.”

Naruto wiped his eyes and smiled, “You can’t know that.”

The old man guided Naruto to the door, offering the blonde his jacket, completely appropriate for the weather, of course, and pushed him out.

“Oh, Naruto?” The blonde young man turned around, “I do know. He called asking for you right before you pulled in.” With a laugh, the old man shut the door and Naruto realized he still had a long way to go before he became the ‘master’ his grandfather was.

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Naruto took the steps at a pace commonly seen in the three-toed sloth of northern Africa. That is to say, really damn slow.

It didn’t help that he knew Sasuke was waiting for him. In fact, it seemed to make it worse. What if he was just waiting to end it? What if he was angry that Naruto wasn’t there when he returned, not that he had to wait on the damn teme, but now he had just stewed for three hours? That couldn’t be good.

Having reached the door, Naruto pulled the keys from his pocket and rubbing the cheesy keychain that meant more to Naruto than what was reasonably sane, he unlocked the door before pushing inside.

To see Sasuke carrying a large cardboard box out of the bedroom.

Something inside Naruto snapped. Fear, anger, loneliness, abandonment and terror blinded him and he was on Sasuke in an instant. The box fell to the floor and Naruto straddled Sasuke hitting him wherever he could, tears running down his face.

Sasuke held up his hands trying to stop the intruder from killing him before he noticed it was his dobe.

“What are you doing?!” He yelled, but Naruto was beyond listening. The blonde man just kept hitting and hitting and Sasuke could feel his dobe’s tears fall against his face. Well, this is quite enough, he thought and bucked his hips, throwing the smaller man off of him before reversing their positions, his own hands holding Naruto’s securely above his head.

“Welcome home, sweetheart. How was your day?” Sasuke said, panting heavily.

“Bastard! I won’t let you leave me!” Naruto struggled to free his hands, “I’ll beat the shit out of you and tie you down if I have to. You. Will. Not. Leave. Me!”

“Hn. Well, Plan A was a failure. But, when have you ever beaten the shit out of me?” Sasuke leaned down and kissed Naruto’s wet eyelashes, smirking when he heard the blonde’s breath hitch, “Plan B however, the one involving tying someone up, I’m willing to work with that.”

“Sasuke.” Sasuke set up and looked at the dobe. Naruto sounded so small, so sad. Sasuke sat back and pulled Naruto into his lap.

“Hey, it’s okay. Don’t be sad. I’m not angry.” Sasuke pushed the blonde head to his chest and carded pale fingers through Naruto’s hair, “Let’s try this again… okay.”

Naruto looked up, confusion on his face. “What? Try what again?”

Sasuke stood and pulled the dobe with him. “You coming home, idiot. Let’s do that again.”

“O-okay…” Naruto walked cautiously towards the door, turning around every few seconds to make sure Sasuke didn’t disappear. At the door, he cleared his throat, “Ah… Teme, I’m home?”

“Very good, dobe. But was that a question?” Sasuke smirked walking toward the man he was willing to become a father for, “Welcome home, dobe.” Pale hands pushed into Naruto’s jacket and slowly pulled it off his shoulders until it fell to the floor. Naruto closed his eyes when Sasuke bent down and tenderly captured his lips in a kiss. It was so gentle and loving that Naruto melted into Sasuke, pulling at his t-shirt and mewling in contentment.

Sasuke pulled back and supported Naruto while he found his balance. “See, wasn’t that better?”

Naruto nodded but then his eyes fell on the cardboard box, “Are you leaving me?”

Sasuke’s eyes widened, “No, never. Why would you think that?” Naruto nodded toward the box, “Oh, no. I need our last five years tax returns. Remember when we boxed them up?”

Again Naruto nodded, “Oh, I see.” The blonde walked to the door and took off his shoes before picking up his coat and hanging it in the closet. “Why do you need those?”

Sasuke smiled and Naruto closed his eyes. This whole damn thing was too surreal and confusing for him to understand. Perhaps he was in a car accident and now he was in a coma, dreaming about coming home to a loving Sasuke who seemed to totally want to forget that this morning ever happened. The thought made tears collect under his eye lids… he couldn’t leave Sasuke alone, not after what he had said this morning… not ever.

“Hey, idiot.” Naruto felt strong arms wrap around him and lead him into the dining room. Papers were strewn all over the mahogany wood and Sasuke pulled away from him before sitting down at the head of the table. “I need them for this, Naruto.”

Naruto walked toward the table and tentatively pulled several sheets toward him. Earnings Statement. Request for Background Check. Application for Fostering License. Fingerprint Authorization.

Naruto froze and Sasuke smiled.

Naruto’s trembling fingers picked up the ‘Application for Fostering License’. “S’uke… wh-what is all of this?”

“Naruto…” Sasuke was at his side in a second, one arm wrapped around him tightly while the other tilted his chin up, “Baby, you’re going to be a mommy!”

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Naruto started to tremble so violently that Sasuke nearly thought the dobe was having a seizure. He scooped him up into his arms and carried him quickly into the bedroom. By that time, Naruto had started to sob against his chest and refused to let him go.

“No,” Naruto whispered, “No. I can’t force you. I won’t.” Naruto took a calming breath and got to his knees, touching his forehead to Sasuke’s, “It was unfair of me to ask that of you. I know your feelings and I disregarded them. I know your reasons and…”

“Dobe,” Sasuke interrupted, “Stop. My reasons were superficial. I knew your feelings too and I disregarded them just as quickly. But, today,” Sasuke sighed, leaning against the headboard and pulling Naruto down with him, “I went to the hospital.”

“Why?”

“Well, I had been hit by a car.”

“WHAT?” Naruto said turning toward the dark haired man.

“Don’t worry, dobe. Itachi was driving.”

“Well, that’s… good, I guess.” Naruto said his eyebrows drawn together in confusion. “Were you hurt?”

“Naruto,” Sasuke whispered, “I was already hurting. I had just fought with you, said hurtful things to you and let the situation get out of control.”

Naruto nodded.

“But, I was headed to the hospital to see what the twins had that I didn’t.”

“Sasuke, no… that’s not…” Soft lips stopped his words.

“Shh… I know. Now.” Sasuke sat back again, “They are beautiful, Naruto. I didn’t really notice when they were in the ER. Itachi says they could be our biological children.”

“Itachi was there?”

“Yeah and being the big brother that he is, he showed me where my thinking was askew and where it was just plain fucked.”

Naruto smiled kissing Sasuke’s jaw, “I could have done that.”

“I know, dobe. But I think I needed to hear it from him. I needed my brother to tell me that I wouldn’t be our father.”

“S’uke.” Naruto whispered nuzzling Sasuke’s pale neck.

Sasuke placed a kiss on Naruto’s golden crown and smiled, “I want them, Naruto. I want them with you. I talked to Shizune and Hinata Hyuuga is coming over tomorrow to expedite the process as much as she can. But, dobe, I need to know.”

Naruto pulled away and looked into searching black eyes, “What, Sasuke, I’ll tell you anything.”

“Do you want to raise a f-family… with me, Naruto?” Sasuke asked and Naruto nearly started sobbing again when he saw hope, fear, trust and love… so much love swirling in black pools.

Naruto was on him in an instant, straddling his teme, “Yes! Sasuke, yes. Thank you.” Naruto leaned down, cupping Sasuke’s face in his hands, “I love you.”

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They must have dozed off after that because the next time Sasuke opened his eyes he saw Naruto walking into the room with sandwiches and fruit salad.

“Hey, teme. I thought you might be hungry. I know I am. I haven’t eaten anything since this morning when you fed me a heart attack.” Naruto smiled and set the tray next to the bed before offering Sasuke his hand and pulling him to standing. “You’re a doctor! One would think that you would realize that grease with a side of food was bad for you.”

Sasuke placed a hand on the nape of Naruto’s neck and gave him a quick kiss. “I suppose your right,” He trailed kisses across Naruto’s jaw and up to a sensitive earlobe, “And there are so many better things to eat,” He sucked the earlobe, “for you,” His mouth found the mark he had left this morning and he tenderly kissed it, “and for me.” His voice sounded like sin. Fallen angel indeed.

Before Naruto could respond, his stomach made itself known, only to be immediately answered by Sasuke’s. A blush immediately graced the pale face. Naruto laughed until tears came to his eyes. “Well, I’m sure there are, but for now, let’s stick with sandwiches.”

They set in comfortable silence and Sasuke glanced at the clock, surprised at how late it was. When Naruto throw his napkin on the tray, Sasuke grabbed their dishes and returned them to the kitchen. Coming back in, he found Naruto already in his sleep pants and pulling on his gray t-shirt. Blonde spikes popped out of the collar and immediately stood straight up. Seeing Sasuke’s look, Naruto blushed and ran a hand through his hair.

“Hey, teme.” Naruto walked slowly toward the taller man, “I wasn’t sure if you’d be in the mood for playing. It was such a long day… for both of us and…”

Sasuke shrugged, but smiled, “No, dobe. I understand. I feel the same way.” Sasuke quickly changed into his sleep clothes as Naruto pulled the comforter back and crawled into bed. Changed, Sasuke sidled up to his dobe, nearly crowing in delight when Naruto immediately pressed into his side, nuzzling his chest.

“We have so much to do. So much to think about and talk about.” Naruto whispered. “I can’t believe… I don’t even know where to start.”

Sasuke sighed, “Well, we have another two days off. We’ll figure it out.” He gently rubbed Naruto’s arm and listened to Naruto’s breaths even out, feeling his own eyes grown heavier.

“S’uke?” Naruto whispered into the dark room.

“Hn.”

“I love you. You will always be my first choice. Okay?” Naruto sounded worried.

“No, dobe. Soon, our family will be your first choice. Mine as well.” Sasuke said kissing Naruto’s head that lay soundly on his chest.

Naruto nodded, “Yeah, you’re right.”

There was silence again.

“Teme.”

“Dobe.” Sasuke said and Naruto smiled because he could hear the suppressed frustration in the man’s voice.

“I am not the ‘mommy’, damn it.”

Naruto closed his eyes and went to sleep, the sounds of Sasuke’s laughter coloring his dreams.

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