Falling Leaves
folder
Naruto › Yaoi - Male/Male
Rating:
Adult +
Chapters:
6
Views:
1,122
Reviews:
36
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
0
Category:
Naruto › Yaoi - Male/Male
Rating:
Adult +
Chapters:
6
Views:
1,122
Reviews:
36
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
0
Disclaimer:
I do not own Naruto, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.
Hope
Author’s Note: Do I like this chapter? Sorta. However, it is a chapter. That in itself is amazing considering how long it’s been. A dear friend of mine gave me a bit of a ‘hurry up!’ so here it is. Apologies and thanks to anyone who has actually stuck with me. Hopefully the next chapter won’t be so long in coming. Enjoy
I have two more chapters planned and then it’ll be the end. :3 And the last two 'aint gonna be as fluffy as this. Prepare yourself for tears.
This chapter is dedicated to my spit roast/taco!
~~~
Hope
As the summer sun began falling towards the horizon the golden light of the afternoon caused Sasuke’s skin to glow. Dark eyes watched the man lying upon the floor and whenever Naruto managed to catch that gaze he was sure he detected a hint of amusement in their depths.
True to his words Naruto had remained with Sasuke until the other man had woken from his slumber; himself unable to even venture near sleep while holding his frail moon in his arms. In realizing his love for the other man, an emotion he had never felt to such a great extent before, he now had a lot of thinking to do. Clearly in some way or form Sasuke needed him too. The way Sasuke clutched at him desperately, needing a physical presence to chase away his nightmares, caused Naruto to hope that in some small way his feelings where reciprocated.
Once Sasuke had opened his eyes and stretched his body out, looking almost as surprised as he had when he had opened his eyes to a world of green, Naruto’s mind had finally fallen silent. His one track mind focused in on the object of his adoration, so that the tasks of getting him up, showered and fed could be completed. When the day had begun to fade, they had both settled into a comfortable silence with Sasuke bathed in that afternoon sun and Naruto stretched out at his feet, fingers nimbly folding pieces of paper into cranes.
~~~
Sasuke was at ease. His usually tense body was relaxed now, content to watch Naruto in his arts and crafts session. His sun had the heart of a child. The brilliant light he gave off was one of youth and happiness. It was strength of the imagination to think of Naruto as ever getting old. At least for Sasuke that youth would always be eternal. Though the thought of growing old together with years filled with days just like this one was a wistfully, romantic thought.
Naruto finished off his fifth crane and placed it delicately next to the other four, a small smile tilting up the corner of his lips as he regarded them with a proud air. He seemed to sense Sasuke’s questioning gaze and looked up with a twinkle in his eyes.
“Only nine hundred and ninety-five to go. You’re going to have to keep track for me. I’m going to forget where I’m up to after ten.”
There was no point in asking why Naruto needed a thousand cranes. Sasuke couldn’t have cared in the least anyway, he was just glad the other man was there. Even having spent the day together, it wasn’t enough. It had reached the point where even the idea of Naruto walking down the hall to his own room was hard to bear. It was a physical need now; to have Naruto by his side. Like needing the air to breathe; he needed his sun to see him through each day.
Just a few days ago Sasuke would have been disgusted with himself. But that was before he had woken up to a canopy of leaves and felt that maybe this okay, maybe his fate of a bleak, dark death didn’t have to be his ultimate end.
Like a slowly rekindling flame, hope began to grow in his heart. The sun could not and never would be tainted; it had been foolish for him to think so.
“I called your doctor while you were in the shower.”
Sasuke blinked, mind returning to focus. Three more cranes had been added. Naruto was staring up at him, chin resting his wrist and elbow on the ground. As the words began to find meaning Sasuke’s gaze darkened and his lips tightened, shoulder’s lifting in the faintest of shrugs.
“He’s pleased. He wants you to come in for another scan.”
The look in Naruto’s eyes was hesitantly optimistic. Sasuke’s own rekindling hope didn’t go so far as to have him believe a miraculous recovery was in order. Only that maybe his death wouldn’t be as lonely as he had first thought.
“No.” He kept his voice level and firm, not breaking Naruto’s steady gaze.
Naruto let out a sigh through his nose but nodded.
“I am going to die. Another test would be pointless.”
“It was just a thought.” Naruto gave a lopsided grin, gaze flickering slightly to the side. If Sasuke hadn’t spent a great deal of time studying and memorizing the blondes face, he might have missed the slight, uncertain gesture. “I’ve heard that love can fix the worst of diseases.”
Naruto’s eyes seemed so deep and beautiful filled with an intense hope. Sasuke’s felt the sudden need to pull away and escape, but he was caught in his chair as if iron chains held him. Did the sun even realize the mesmerizing quality that was unique to his being? Under that penetrating gaze Sasuke grew increasingly uncomfortable, the word love hanging in the air between them.
Sasuke’s eventual reaction was born from a sudden inexplicable fear. “How sad for me.” Acid dripped from his low spoken words. “I guess that means there really is no hope. Nobody loves me and I certainly don’t love anybody else.” Would those harsh, thoughtless words wound his sun?
But Naruto’s reaction was unexpected. He let out a sigh and then chuckled, running his strong fingers through golden locks. “Ah Sasuke.” Wry amusement caused a smile and Sasuke saw a tired edge to his blue gaze. “You’re so… silly sometimes. And like ice, hard and cold.” His eyes dropped down and his fingers reached for another piece of paper, folding it carefully.
Sasuke was frozen to the spot; as if ice has indeed entered him and numbed his body. Even though the words had held no malice, they still struck him down to the core. Apologies caught in the back of his throat, desperate to escape. It was amazing how he who had once been a creature that spurned any feeling, holding his emotions locked away as securely as possible, could feel this sudden onslaught of fear and need… and an unknown desire he could not fully explain.
Unlocking his frozen limbs Sasuke reached out beseechingly… and his hand was caught gently by another’s.
“Don’t look at me like that Sasuke.” Voice deep and throaty, eyes an endless indigo sea. The pale, sick man watched in wonder as Naruto lifted himself up to allow full lips to gently brushed against his own, the suns eyelids lowering to give his face a dreamy expression.
“You should know that I love you.” The voice trembled noticeably. “Do you think it will be enough? I can always… hope.”
Silence fell in the dying light of the afternoon. The sun had nearly completely sunk and Sasuke’s face was covered in shadows. As he released his hand from Naruto’s the blonde’s eyes snapped open in alarm. His heart had been laid out, the open and honest man unable to hold back newly feelings.
Sasuke’s tumultuous emotions had quieted, leaving him calm and thoughtful. He leant back in his chair, eyes falling closed. In no way did he deserve this. This was the most exquisite pain; knowing you held the love of the most beautiful person to ever exist and yet knowing it could never really be yours. It was too late to believe in miracles. Too late to believe in love.
But…
~~~
A half made crane sat on the floorboards beside its completed brethren. They were something safer to look at than the still form of Sasuke. Without really thinking about it Naruto had thrown all his cards on the table, had blurted out the word ‘love’ when it could easily be spurned. He was unable to look up. Vulnerable. Within his heart he had already given the promise to never let Sasuke go, to be there until the very end. But uncharacteristic fear still held him in its grip.
He wasn’t aware that Sasuke had move until a slim finger touched his cheek and then two cold hands cupped his face, lifting it up so their eyes could meet.
“It will be enough. Without you, I would have already died.”
He shifted from his chair, falling to his knees in front of his nurse, arms sliding around Naruto’s neck.
It was joy and love that Sasuke felt as he placed his forehead against Naruto’s and took in a deep breath. Warm arms were wrapped around his back as Naruto pulled him closer to the burning sun. A warm breath tickled Sasuke’s face.
“I promise to love you forever Sasuke.”
As Naruto angled his face to gently press their lips together, Sasuke made the same promise deep within his heart. He had nothing to give Naruto in return for his gift except himself; and he would indeed give every part of his heart, body and soul to the man that had brought light into a life of endless night.
A soft kiss and two promises of eternity.
I have two more chapters planned and then it’ll be the end. :3 And the last two 'aint gonna be as fluffy as this. Prepare yourself for tears.
This chapter is dedicated to my spit roast/taco!
Hope
As the summer sun began falling towards the horizon the golden light of the afternoon caused Sasuke’s skin to glow. Dark eyes watched the man lying upon the floor and whenever Naruto managed to catch that gaze he was sure he detected a hint of amusement in their depths.
True to his words Naruto had remained with Sasuke until the other man had woken from his slumber; himself unable to even venture near sleep while holding his frail moon in his arms. In realizing his love for the other man, an emotion he had never felt to such a great extent before, he now had a lot of thinking to do. Clearly in some way or form Sasuke needed him too. The way Sasuke clutched at him desperately, needing a physical presence to chase away his nightmares, caused Naruto to hope that in some small way his feelings where reciprocated.
Once Sasuke had opened his eyes and stretched his body out, looking almost as surprised as he had when he had opened his eyes to a world of green, Naruto’s mind had finally fallen silent. His one track mind focused in on the object of his adoration, so that the tasks of getting him up, showered and fed could be completed. When the day had begun to fade, they had both settled into a comfortable silence with Sasuke bathed in that afternoon sun and Naruto stretched out at his feet, fingers nimbly folding pieces of paper into cranes.
Sasuke was at ease. His usually tense body was relaxed now, content to watch Naruto in his arts and crafts session. His sun had the heart of a child. The brilliant light he gave off was one of youth and happiness. It was strength of the imagination to think of Naruto as ever getting old. At least for Sasuke that youth would always be eternal. Though the thought of growing old together with years filled with days just like this one was a wistfully, romantic thought.
Naruto finished off his fifth crane and placed it delicately next to the other four, a small smile tilting up the corner of his lips as he regarded them with a proud air. He seemed to sense Sasuke’s questioning gaze and looked up with a twinkle in his eyes.
“Only nine hundred and ninety-five to go. You’re going to have to keep track for me. I’m going to forget where I’m up to after ten.”
There was no point in asking why Naruto needed a thousand cranes. Sasuke couldn’t have cared in the least anyway, he was just glad the other man was there. Even having spent the day together, it wasn’t enough. It had reached the point where even the idea of Naruto walking down the hall to his own room was hard to bear. It was a physical need now; to have Naruto by his side. Like needing the air to breathe; he needed his sun to see him through each day.
Just a few days ago Sasuke would have been disgusted with himself. But that was before he had woken up to a canopy of leaves and felt that maybe this okay, maybe his fate of a bleak, dark death didn’t have to be his ultimate end.
Like a slowly rekindling flame, hope began to grow in his heart. The sun could not and never would be tainted; it had been foolish for him to think so.
“I called your doctor while you were in the shower.”
Sasuke blinked, mind returning to focus. Three more cranes had been added. Naruto was staring up at him, chin resting his wrist and elbow on the ground. As the words began to find meaning Sasuke’s gaze darkened and his lips tightened, shoulder’s lifting in the faintest of shrugs.
“He’s pleased. He wants you to come in for another scan.”
The look in Naruto’s eyes was hesitantly optimistic. Sasuke’s own rekindling hope didn’t go so far as to have him believe a miraculous recovery was in order. Only that maybe his death wouldn’t be as lonely as he had first thought.
“No.” He kept his voice level and firm, not breaking Naruto’s steady gaze.
Naruto let out a sigh through his nose but nodded.
“I am going to die. Another test would be pointless.”
“It was just a thought.” Naruto gave a lopsided grin, gaze flickering slightly to the side. If Sasuke hadn’t spent a great deal of time studying and memorizing the blondes face, he might have missed the slight, uncertain gesture. “I’ve heard that love can fix the worst of diseases.”
Naruto’s eyes seemed so deep and beautiful filled with an intense hope. Sasuke’s felt the sudden need to pull away and escape, but he was caught in his chair as if iron chains held him. Did the sun even realize the mesmerizing quality that was unique to his being? Under that penetrating gaze Sasuke grew increasingly uncomfortable, the word love hanging in the air between them.
Sasuke’s eventual reaction was born from a sudden inexplicable fear. “How sad for me.” Acid dripped from his low spoken words. “I guess that means there really is no hope. Nobody loves me and I certainly don’t love anybody else.” Would those harsh, thoughtless words wound his sun?
But Naruto’s reaction was unexpected. He let out a sigh and then chuckled, running his strong fingers through golden locks. “Ah Sasuke.” Wry amusement caused a smile and Sasuke saw a tired edge to his blue gaze. “You’re so… silly sometimes. And like ice, hard and cold.” His eyes dropped down and his fingers reached for another piece of paper, folding it carefully.
Sasuke was frozen to the spot; as if ice has indeed entered him and numbed his body. Even though the words had held no malice, they still struck him down to the core. Apologies caught in the back of his throat, desperate to escape. It was amazing how he who had once been a creature that spurned any feeling, holding his emotions locked away as securely as possible, could feel this sudden onslaught of fear and need… and an unknown desire he could not fully explain.
Unlocking his frozen limbs Sasuke reached out beseechingly… and his hand was caught gently by another’s.
“Don’t look at me like that Sasuke.” Voice deep and throaty, eyes an endless indigo sea. The pale, sick man watched in wonder as Naruto lifted himself up to allow full lips to gently brushed against his own, the suns eyelids lowering to give his face a dreamy expression.
“You should know that I love you.” The voice trembled noticeably. “Do you think it will be enough? I can always… hope.”
Silence fell in the dying light of the afternoon. The sun had nearly completely sunk and Sasuke’s face was covered in shadows. As he released his hand from Naruto’s the blonde’s eyes snapped open in alarm. His heart had been laid out, the open and honest man unable to hold back newly feelings.
Sasuke’s tumultuous emotions had quieted, leaving him calm and thoughtful. He leant back in his chair, eyes falling closed. In no way did he deserve this. This was the most exquisite pain; knowing you held the love of the most beautiful person to ever exist and yet knowing it could never really be yours. It was too late to believe in miracles. Too late to believe in love.
But…
A half made crane sat on the floorboards beside its completed brethren. They were something safer to look at than the still form of Sasuke. Without really thinking about it Naruto had thrown all his cards on the table, had blurted out the word ‘love’ when it could easily be spurned. He was unable to look up. Vulnerable. Within his heart he had already given the promise to never let Sasuke go, to be there until the very end. But uncharacteristic fear still held him in its grip.
He wasn’t aware that Sasuke had move until a slim finger touched his cheek and then two cold hands cupped his face, lifting it up so their eyes could meet.
“It will be enough. Without you, I would have already died.”
He shifted from his chair, falling to his knees in front of his nurse, arms sliding around Naruto’s neck.
It was joy and love that Sasuke felt as he placed his forehead against Naruto’s and took in a deep breath. Warm arms were wrapped around his back as Naruto pulled him closer to the burning sun. A warm breath tickled Sasuke’s face.
“I promise to love you forever Sasuke.”
As Naruto angled his face to gently press their lips together, Sasuke made the same promise deep within his heart. He had nothing to give Naruto in return for his gift except himself; and he would indeed give every part of his heart, body and soul to the man that had brought light into a life of endless night.
A soft kiss and two promises of eternity.