Pranksters

Pranksters 8

Jealousy


Gaara tried to pretend he was calm. He stood before his mirror practicing his composed look while tying his tie for the umpteenth time. Where the hell is Naruto, he wondered.


Gaara took a deep breath and pushed away thoughts of his roommate for the time being. He concentrated on the knot his tie was currently in and tried to straighten it out correctly. His eyes slid to the reflection of the clock behind him before sliding back to his own image and deciding he wouldn’t wear a tie tonight. He opted for his favorite vest instead.


He fixed his hair one more time, making sure the tattoo was hidden. Thanks to Uchiha’s little interview it was now doubly important that he keep it away from the public eye. With another picture of himself advertising his youthful indiscretion and half the country clamoring to know who the mystery model was, Gaara was feeling a little anxious about stepping forward to claim the credit.


He checked both angles in the mirror carefully, tilting his chin up and then down. Satisfied, he slipped his burgundy blazer off the hanger. Luckily the weather was getting cool enough to warrant wool. He slipped his arm into one sleeve when he heard the doorbell ring.


Gaara quickly threw on the other sleeve and shrugged into his jacket. He walked to the door faster than usual while another knock sounded. Three quick raps marked the knocker’s impatience. Gaara flipped the lock with annoyance.


He threw the door open to be greeted by… Uchiha Sasuke.


One hand supported his leaning body, stretching black silk tightly across his chest. He looked at Gaara with boredom over the tops of his designer sunglasses.


"Ready?"


"Where is Naruto?" Gaara met his gaze. His annoyance tripled with Sasuke’s own.


"In the car, waiting. Let’s go."


"I don’t recall you being invited to this business meeting."


The corner of Uchiha’s mouth quirked up. "His people contacted my people. I’m Naruto’s plus one."


His look was so smug Gaara wanted to punch him. Instead he stood up a little straighter, straightened out his jacket and grabbed his keys.


"My papers are in my car. I’ll meet you at the restaurant."


"Don’t be silly, Sabaku," Uchiha smirked. "You’re expected to drink tonight. We all are. Which is why I had the foresight to have my chauffeur drive all of us." He reached inside the entryway, grabbed Gaara’s keys from his hand and leaned forward to place them back on the shelf. Gaara tried to hide his discomfort at their close proximity. He could smell Uchiha’s cologne and wondered if this is what Naruto smelled like now before he could stop himself. Sasuke peered at him again, making no move to step back. "I’m here to make sure my models aren’t hung over tomorrow." His eyes slid over Gaara. He smirked again and Gaara wondered if the vest was too much. "Let’s go." Uchiha nodded his head to the side.


Gaara ignored the commanding tone behind the simple words and slipped into his shoes. He grabbed his house keys and locked the door behind him.


"How is Naruto?" Gaara asked, forcing his eyes forward to the glossy elevator door down the hall. He tried to pretend he knew how Naruto was doing and only wanted to hear what Sasuke was thinking.


"Busy. The press has been hot on our tails since the announcement. You’ve seen the papers, I’m sure."


Gaara gave a short nod. The night of Naruto’s debut on television Gaara waited up all night for a roommate who never came home. He went to bed exhausted, ignoring the texts he received in protest. He still hadn’t opened them. He was afraid of what they said. He still didn’t know what Naruto meant to tell him that night, but he had a feeling Sasuke already announced it for him.


Naruto’s image was plastered across the press the next day. Shikamaru showed up at the apartment to pick up some of his things leading Gaara to wonder when Naruto would show up to clear out the rest of his belongings.


Naruto really did plan to follow Uchiha.


"Was that absolutely necessary?" Gaara felt his anger seep into his gaze.


"Was what necessary?" Sasuke sounded amused.


"You know what I mean." Gaara punched the down button on the elevator, staring at the white digital numbers counting up. "Announcing your relationship on live television."


"You’re a publicist. You should appreciate my efforts. In one night I turned an unknown model into the most popular one in the country. Inuzuka is paying me for an international success. I always deliver."


"You’re exploiting your relationship for success?" Gaara’s face twisted angrily. "That’s my best friend you’re exploiting."


"And thanks to me, your best friend now has other options in life," Sasuke smiled. Gaara wanted to wipe off that smug smile so badly and let Uchiha know what he really thought of him. The elevator doors slid open, a bell ringing to announce its arrival. Gaara took a calming deep breath and stepped inside.


"So you plan to take him with you when you leave," Gaara stated. "What happened to respecting his dreams?"


"Plans change." Sasuke was evaluating him again. "What if he decides there’s nothing left in Japan to keep him here," he said smiling.


Gaara felt like a bucket of ice water had been poured over his head. Every limb felt cold at the thought of Naruto leaving for good. If Naruto hopped on a plane and followed Sasuke to France, it was very likely they would never see each other again. He would lose more than just his roommate. He’d lose his closest friend.


Sasuke smirked. "You disappoint me Sabaku. I thought you had more fight in you." He leaned against the elevator wall, crossing his arms and tilting his head. "Shall I lend you my handkerchief? Should I turn around and let you cry?"


Gaara grabbed Uchiha by the shirt and shoved him hard against the elevator door. His precariously balanced sunglasses toppled to the floor.


"I’ve danced to your tune thus far because you’ve made it worth my while, but if you do anything to hurt him I will destroy you." Gaara clenched his teeth so tightly his jaw began to ache. Uchiha looked nonplussed despite the awkward position he was in. But at least he wasn’t smiling.


"So you are the rival I should be looking out for. Nice of you to finally step up." He placed a hand over one of Gaara’s hands, prying the fingers loose from his shirt. "Don’t think I haven’t caught the way you look at him." Gaara released his hold, stung by the comment. He tried to regain his composure, stepping away from the other man and realizing the elevator hadn’t gone anywhere. He quickly pressed the lobby button, avoiding the other man with him. "And if you must know, it wasn’t just a publicity stunt to put him on the map. It was my means of keeping him away from you."


Gaara’s eyes narrowed. "What do you mean?"


"You’ve seen the posters. Do you really think two amateurs could pull off something like that unless there was a little truth behind it? Now imagine those two living under the same roof, dancing around their feelings."


Gaara’s eyes widened. Naruto was attracted. All the signs, all the indications he had forcefully told himself were imagined were indeed real. Sasuke wasn’t teasing him when he told him Naruto was attracted. He was acknowledging him as a rival.


"Put yourself in my shoes. Would you take the risk?"


Gaara thought of Naruto moving in with Sasuke, of the two of them being together every night. Separate bedrooms would do little to keep them apart if that’s not what they desired. Gaara clenched his jaw. He would have done the same thing.


"No," he admitted.


"So you do want him." Gaara’s eyes whirled on Sasuke. He was busy straightening out his clothes, trying to smooth out the creases Gaara’s fist had caused just moments before. "That’s too bad." The elevator stopped and two doors slid open smoothly. Sasuke strolled out calmly, as though the conversation of the past few minutes had not just taken place. "Because he’s mine."

* * *

Naruto tapped his foot impatiently. Juugo sat calmly next to him staring out the tinted windows. "What’s taking them so long?" Naruto muttered to no one in particular. He checked his watch one more time and glanced at his phone. Gaara was usually more punctual than this. He wondered if his roommate was ignoring him, or trying to find a way out of the meeting. If his ignored texts were any indication of how much his crush didn’t want to see him then he wouldn’t put it past the CEO to reschedule or reassign the meeting to someone else.


"Hey Juugo, you think they’re okay?" he asked absently. He warred over whether or not he should jump out of the car and go fetch them. But Sasuke explicitly told him to stay put. Naruto belatedly noticed the silence greeting him from the other end of the car. "Oi, Juugo?" The giant spared him an annoyed glance before looking back out the window.


"Hey, what’s your problem? I know I sorta crashed with you guys last minute, but you’ve been giving me the silent treatment since I arrived. Do I snore in my sleep or something?"


"No one makes you sleep with us in the spare room. I’m sure Sasuke wouldn’t mind having you in his bed."


Naruto’s eyebrows furrowed. He thought things had been a little tense since he joined them. He thought it had been because the addition of a third person made things a bit cramped, but he was starting to believe it was for other reasons entirely.


"Is it my imagination, or are you mad at me for something?"


Juugo snorted. "I’m just the bodyguard. When do my thoughts matter?"


"Come on, Juugo, I have no problem with you. I thought we were cool, so why the sudden 180?"


Juugo ignored him and shook his head slightly in annoyance. Naruto couldn’t think of anything that had changed between them. He hadn’t borrowed anything without asking, hadn’t broken or destroyed personal property and tried to be a courteous guest, even if he couldn’t help being noisy in the morning. The only thing he could think of was that as Sasuke’s "boyfriend" he might assume a new status. But certainly Juugo knew the whole boyfriend ruse was a ploy.


"Um, Juugo, you don’t actually think I’m Sasuke’s boyfriend, do you?" Juugo’s startled expression was all the answer he needed.


"But Sasuke said you used to…"


"Used to," Naruto shook his head. "That was another lifetime ago. I don’t know why he announced that to the public. It certainly wasn’t my bright idea."


"So then why…?" Juugo’s face scrunched up.


Naruto held up both palms and shrugged. "Your guess is as good as mine, buddy. I’ve got the hots for Sabaku and Sasuke is supposed to be helping me attain the unattainable. You can rest assured I won’t be invited into Sasuke’s bed anytime soon. Not unless his publicity stunts start getting kinky." Naruto winked.


Juugo let out a quick breath. He kept his face turned to the window, but Naruto caught a peek of his startled wonder in the reflection on the glass. Naruto smiled.


"How long have you had a thing for him?" Naruto asked. Juugo looked at him concerned, eyebrows furrowing. He shook his head. "Liar, you so have the hots for him, admit it. Who hasn’t at some point? He’s friggin gorgeous."


"He’s my boss," Juugo asserted, as though that should end the conversation.


"Does he like you too? Have you two…?"


Juugo shook his head emphatically. Naruto raised an eyebrow, keeping his eyes trained on Juugo’s guilty looking face. Juugo met his eyes and nodded.


"That’s Sasuke," Naruto chuckled.


"When you two were together was he… was he always…"


"A slut?" Naruto guessed. Juugo flinched at his terminology, but didn’t correct him. "Sasuke has always been desirable. He was the popular one, ever since we were kids. But no, when we were together he was always faithful. And if he wasn’t… well, he never let me find out."


"If things went so well then why did you two end it?"


Naruto smiled at the hint of bitterness in Juugo’s voice. He leaned his head back against the cushions of the car seat. He smiled thinking of how painful it was back then.


"We grew apart. Sasuke pursued his artistic visions abroad and my dreams led me to Toudai. We loved each other and so we agreed to live our separate lives and, when possible, to pick up our friendship where it left off. It was after our relationship that the promiscuity began." Naruto smiled bitter sweetly.


"Why does he do it? Why can’t he respect himself more?" Naruto smiled, grateful that there was someone else in this world other than himself who was able to see that.


"Because he’s lonely? Because he never quite believed in his own true worth? Sasuke grew up believing he was always second rate to his brother. When his brother died before he could surpass him… well, I don’t think his confidence ever recovered. It hurt to see him throw himself to anyone, but I think he does it to keep himself free of attachment. You can’t love someone if you’re with a different man or woman every other night."


"Doesn’t he want to be loved?"


"He does. But Sasuke is more fragile than most people know. He keeps that shell so tight around him I sometimes worry he’ll never let another person in. We grew up together, learned together, rivaled against one another and then became each other’s first love. I had a decade to earn his trust, while the rest of the population gets one night." Juugo looked out the window absently. He seemed to be processing Naruto’s words.


"There’s really nothing between you two?"


Naruto chuckled. "He’s one of my best friends, my very first lover and could very well be one of my few lifelong friends. But are we sleeping together? No."


The humor wasn’t lost on Juugo.


"You really like him, don’t you?" Juugo’s face turned somber. Naruto smiled. He wondered how he missed it before. "You should tell him. Don’t let his public persona fool you. He may deny it pretty strongly, but underneath that shell is a boy who wants all the same things we do."


"And what’s that?"


"Love, protection, honesty. The things he denies himself because he has trouble reciprocating." Naruto stopped himself when he realized he was rambling or perhaps saying more than he should. If Juugo repeated any of this to Sasuke he didn’t think his friend would be pleased. "By the way, can we… keep this conversation between ourselves? I’m pretty sure Sasuke will kick my ass over this one," he smiled uneasily.


Juugo chuckled and nodded. His eyes took on a cold hard look when he glanced just beyond Naruto. Juugo opened the door and stepped out. Naruto glanced to see Sasuke and Gaara exiting the building. Juugo rushed around the car to open the door for both men. Naruto scoot over to the far right. Sasuke slid in next to him.


"Ready?" Sasuke asked him. Naruto peered around Sasuke to his quiet roommate. He opened his mouth to say hi, but Gaara ignored him, turning to look out the window instead.


"Yeah," Naruto said without meaning it.


The Ginza streets were crowded when they pulled up to the restaurant. Juugo stepped out of the passenger seat first and opened the door for Gaara. The CEO of Sabaku groups stepped out gracefully, followed by Sasuke and Naruto. Naruto noted the many turning heads and surprised looks.


"Have fun. Call me when you’re ready to be picked up," Sasuke said, pulling back to climb back into the car.


"You’re not going?" Naruto said in surprise.


"I caught my shirt on something. I can’t go in there with ripped clothes." Naruto looked down to notice the missing button on Sasuke’s black button up. The silk was fraying from one undone seam. Naruto narrowed his eyes but didn’t question him. "Make my excuses. Tell them something came up." Sasuke fished into his pocket and pulled out a key. He reached around his neck, undid the clasp of his silver chain and looped it through the key. "Come here."


Naruto stepped closer. Sasuke brought his arms up, placing the chain around Naruto’s neck and leaning in close enough to touch as he did the clasp. He stepped back, arranging the chain on Naruto’s chest, letting it fall next to his other one. "Spare key. Use it to get back in tonight." Naruto frowned, but he nodded. His hand felt the key at his neck, alongside the uchiha pendant, the one Sasuke had worn since he was a kid. "Take good care of that for me," he smiled. Naruto nodded. "Sabaku," Sasuke bowed. Gaara gave a slight inclination of the head to acknowledge him.


Sasuke leaned in and gave Naruto a quick peck on the cheek. Naruto turned bright red, looking around hurriedly and thankful that no cameras were out to catch that. Sasuke winked and slipped back into the car just as Juugo closed the door after him. Naruto didn’t miss the look Juugo shot him. Naruto shrugged to show it wasn’t his doing.


Juugo gave a quick bow, his eyes still narrowed, but Naruto had the impression that he wasn’t really angry. He disappeared into the passenger’s seat and the car was off.


Naruto turned to his roommate awkwardly. Gaara hadn’t said a word the entire way there.


"Hey," he said self consciously. Gaara nodded to him and Naruto smiled uneasily. He hadn’t felt this awkward around Gaara since they were teens. "You look good," he said genuinely, noting for the first time the jacket and well fitting vest. It was classy and stylish and flattered his red hair and green eyes.


"You look appropriate," he commented. Naruto looked down at the loose fitting shirt with a collar low enough to show his necklace and the one Sasuke had lent to him. He tried to straighten out the sleeves of his jacket, rolling them to mid forearm like Sasuke instructed. His jeans were tight enough that he would not be pigging out tonight, regardless of the fact that it was on someone else’s tab.


"Thanks," Naruto looked away embarrassed. Sasuke had of course bought him the clothes. There was no way he could afford designer brands with a student’s funds.


"Let’s go," Gaara gestured. He began walking towards the entrance. Naruto followed him through the large glass doors to a modern looking building. He knew the building of course, taking in the high ceiling, the creative lighting illuminating a very large and difficult space to cover and whistled in appreciation. Gaara went straight to the elevators, pressing the button to go up.


"The client was very pleased with your work. The prints came out nicely. Between your performance last week and your sudden rise in popularity don’t be surprised if he makes you another offer tonight."


The elevator doors opened and Naruto stepped quickly to follow Gaara inside. "An offer?" Gaara pressed the button leading to the 24th floor. The look Gaara gave him was not one he was familiar with. This wasn’t his friend giving him advice. The stone faced CEO of Sabaku groups had emerged. Tonight would be purely business.


"A modeling offer. If he brings it up, don’t give an answer and let me handle it. We can discuss it privately afterward, but terms will be in my hands this time. Got it?"


Naruto nodded dumbly.


Falling into uncomfortable silence, Naruto tried to think of a way to bring up the other night, to try to apologize or ask if Gaara had read his emails. He wanted to know why his dear friend and roommate was suddenly treating him like just another client. "Gaara, I…" The elevator doors opened. Cold green eyes looked at him expectantly, but Naruto shook his head. "Never mind." Naruto stepped out of the elevator quickly.


A pretty young hostess asked them politely if they had a reservation. Gaara nodded. "Party for Sabaku." Her eyes lit up and she welcomed him. She led them through the warmly lit restaurant to their private table. They paused at a raised platform where Gaara slipped off his shoes next to a large aquarium filled with what were most likely tonight’s dinner specials. Naruto rushed to follow suit, lining his shoes up next to Gaara’s and stepped up onto the wooden board. The wooden floors were smooth beneath his feet and he tried to walk gracefully and not slip on their shiny surface.


They passed a few booths, separated by painted screens illustrating old fashioned fisherman and ocean related motifs. When they stopped, Naruto recognized the middle aged man who rose to greet them. "Mr. Uzumaki," he bowed politely. "Mr. Sabaku," he dipped his head even lower, holding the pose long enough to show the proper amount of respect towards Gaara’s position. Gaara gave a slow bow in return.


"Sorry to make you wait," Gaara said. The table was nearly ground level or so Naruto thought until he saw the chairs below the platform level. Gaara climbed down gracefully and seated himself on a cushion. Naruto followed suit. The waitress handed each of them a warm towel which Naruto received self consciously. He pretended the towel wasn’t scalding hot and did not yelp in surprise, but wiped his hands quickly, careful to constantly shift the towel from hand to hand and avoid touching it for too long. He watched Gaara to see what he did next and mimicked his etiquette. Gaara didn’t seem to note the towel’s temperature.


"We weren’t waiting long. We just arrived ourselves. Allow me to introduce my guest. This is my wife, Haruko. She doesn’t usually make the trek to Tokyo with me, but when she heard Uchiha Sasuke would be attending…" Tanaka looked from Gaara’s face to Naruto’s.


"Uchiha regrets that he couldn’t make it tonight. Business came up at the last minute. He asked that I send you his regards," Gaara said smoothly. Tanaka looked a little disappointed, but he accepted the news graciously.


"So it's true then, that you two…," Mrs. Tanaka began. Naruto could feel his cheeks start to burn.


"Uzumaki and Uchiha have a very special relationship. They’ve known each other for quite some time now," Gaara answered for him. Naruto’s heart clenched at hearing Gaara speak about it so plainly. So then Gaara really did think that they were together. He hadn’t read any of his emails after all. Naruto tried to smile sincerely. He didn’t want to talk about his relationship with Sasuke. Not in front of Gaara. He wanted to be able to explain to him what really happened.


"It must be difficult to have a relationship when Uchiha spends so much time abroad."

"Have you looked at the menu? Can I order you a drink?" Gaara passed along the drink menus.


Naruto spared a glance at Gaara and frowned. He was grateful for the change in subject, but this wasn’t the friend he was accustomed to. He understood he was with clients, but somehow Gaara’s indifferent tone was much more painful than the fact that he had ignored Naruto’s emails. Gaara caught his look and handed him the menu of dinner specials.


"I recommend the sashimi. My personal favorite is the B Set," he said loud enough for everyone to hear.


"By the way, Uzumaki, have you taken a look at the photos? I sent the proofs to Sabaku’s office a few days back," Tanaka said.


"I received the photos," Gaara spoke up. "Unfortunately Uzumaki was busy with his television appearance that day and has not had the opportunity to visit the company to see them for himself. Rising stars are so busy."


Of course, Naruto thought, the company. He couldn’t visit the company… No one can know he and Gaara are living together.


"Can I see that drink menu?" Naruto asked. Tanaka handed it to him and he accepted it with a smile. Screw the shoot tomorrow, he thought, feeling his anger over Sasuke’s stunt return tenfold.


He waved the waitress over. "Shochu please."


Mrs. Tanaka smiled. "That sounds delicious. Get me one as well." She clasped her slender fingers together, resting her elbows on the table. Naruto didn’t miss the fact that it accentuated the ample cleavage resting below the low cut top. Naruto smiled uneasily when a foot rubbed against his own beneath the table. Naruto pulled his feet closer to his seat.


"Make it a round of four," Gaara said to the waitress. She punched the order into her console and nodded, shuffling away in her pale gray kimono.


"That's an interesting necklace," Mrs. Tanaka continued. "Is it a gift from your boyfriend?" Mrs. Tanaka leaned forward even more trying to see the small pendant in the dim lighting. Her long black hair fell across her shoulder like black ribbon. The angle gave Naruto a perfect view down her shirt at the rounded breasts. Naruto nodded uncomfortably.


"Biologists say that humans once used scent to mark their mates, just like animals. These days we're not so barbaric, but our instincts have led us to use other symbols instead. For example, that remarkable ring on your finger, Mrs. Tanaka," said Gaara. Mrs. Tanaka looked surprised. Her face warred between embarrassment and uncertainty. Naruto wondered where Gaara was taking this. "It can be a wedding ring, a homemade lunch box, or giving your mate a personal belonging to wear and display to the public—a symbol meant to keep other competitors away." Gaara’s eyes slid to Naruto. His green eyes were cold, a sort of hatred hiding beneath the surface—the same look Naruto first encountered when he was thirteen.

Naruto realized he had been clasping the key and pendant in his hand. He let it drop and quickly grasped his water glass with both hands.


"Utterly fascinating," Tanaka commented. "Not that I blame Uchiha for wanting to warn off his competitors. You’ve created quite a stir young man. I imagine that will only prove more so once this next ad campaign is released."


"I saw the proofs as well," Mrs. Tanaka commented. "I think you’re going to be Japan’s next big thing," she winked. Naruto tried to appear grateful. Personally he was a little creeped out.


"Sorry to make you wait," the waitress announced. All four of them glanced at their waitress who kneeled down next to the table. She unloaded her wooden tray, placing four small salad bowls in front of each of them. "I’ll bring your drinks soon," she smiled. She gave a slight bow, rose to her feet gracefully and shuffled away.


"Great! I’m starved!" Naruto broke his chopsticks and said a quick "itadakimasu." He hated salad, and yet he stuffed it down his mouth like it was Ichiraku Ramen. Silently he prayed that the drinks would arrive soon.


Naruto pushed aside the small nabe pot still boiling over its small flame. "Oh man, maybe I should have worn looser jeans today. Gaara, I’m going to gain 5kilos tonight and then Sasuke will have to yell at me tomorrow when he has to find another model!"


Naruto took another swig of the sake burning smoothly down his throat. He grabbed the bottle to pretend to pour more into his small cup. Luckily he turned red easily.


"You have another shoot tomorrow? Is this related to the Inuzuka Campaign?"


Gaara snatched the bottle of sake from Naruto. "You’ve had enough of that. Uchiha won’t forgive me if I send his favorite model into the studio hung over." He grabbed Naruto’s glass and finished off its contents. Naruto noticed that Gaara probably had two more servings than he did and yet his cheeks hadn’t even turned pink.


"I’m fine!" he said too loudly. "I’ll sleep it off tonight." Gaara handed him his own water. "It’s not until 10 anyways."


"Aww, let him unwind a little," Mrs. Tanaka said. She picked up the slim sake bottle on their side of the table and leaned over the table. Naruto held out his small glass, trying hard not to look down her shirt as she bent over excessively to pour him a drink.


"Thanks Mrs. Tanaka," he said, noting that she filled it up to the top. Her eyes had been on him the entire time and not the glass.


"Oops, how clumsy of me," she winked. Naruto forced a shit eating smile and accepted it. He held the glass to his lips for longer than necessary, holding the liquor in his mouth and taking a much smaller sip than he let on.


"Really, I must assume responsibility of Uzumaki tonight. I’m sure he’ll thank me in the morning." Gaara grabbed the glass and finished it in one go. Naruto watched Gaara, catching himself when he realized he’d been staring at those plump red lips.


"Indirect kiss," he blurted, not realizing he’d been thinking aloud. Everyone grew quiet and looked at him. Naruto realized his mistake and started laughing. He remembered he was supposed to be pretending he was drunk. "That’s an indirect kiss!" he tried to sound more amused than serious. "Wait till I tell Sasuke." He noted Gaara flinch a little. "I bet he’ll be jealous," he threw in. Pink dusted Gaara’s cheeks.


Naruto grew bold and threw an arm around Gaara’s shoulders. "But maybe we can all keep it our little secret," he looked at the Tanaka’s conspiratorially and put a finger to his lips to make a shushing motion. "Right, Gaara?" No one commented on the fact that Naruto used his first name so familiarly.


Gaara sighed. "I think it’s time that I see Mr. Uzumaki home. If you’ll excuse us, I think he’s had enough for tonight." The Tanakas smiled awkwardly. "Stay, enjoy the dessert. They have an excellent daifuku ice cream. I’ll settle the bill on my way out."


Tanaka stood up and exchanged greetings with Gaara and Naruto. Mrs. Tanaka bowed politely. This time she was less overt with her flirtations. "I hope to see you again Uzumaki, Sabaku," she smiled. Naruto tried not to let his real opinion show on his face. He was certain she did, and probably hoping her husband wouldn’t tag along next time.


Naruto stumbled a little when he climbed free of his seat. "Whoa, where did that step come from," he smiled, exaggerating his dizziness. Gaara’s hand pressed against his lower back, trying to help steady him.


"Good night, Mr. Tanaka, Mrs. Tanaka." He got to his feet slowly, careful to clear the cushions and the high step back onto the floor. Naruto took slightly wobbly steps, Gaara following slowly behind him. He sat on the floor while he put his shoes back on. He noted that Gaara used his shoulder to step down onto the floor and slip into his own shoes.


Both men were quiet on the way out of the restaurant. Their waitress bowed to them and thanked them for their patronage on their way out. Gaara settled the tab and led him back to the elevator.


As soon as the doors shut behind them, Gaara punched the lobby button and leaned against the elevator wall.


"Call Uchiha. Tell him to pick you up in the front of the restaurant."


"What about you?" Naruto asked. He noted Gaara’s cheeks were a little more flushed than they were minutes before. Gaara closed his eyes while the elevator descended.


"I’ll catch a cab. No use making Uchiha’s driver go in completely opposite directions. You’ll get home sooner that way."


"Hey Gaara, are you feeling okay?" The elevator reached the bottom and Gaara stumbled out a little more wobbly than he was before.


"I’m fine. My motor skills are a little off. I took those last few drinks too quickly."


Naruto thought of the two shots of sake he finished in a row. Gaara had been drinking fairly moderately the whole night. Those last two had probably put him over his limit.


"Hey, how about I join you in that cab," Naruto put an arm around Gaara’s waist and helped steady him. "I prefer to see you get home safely. Sasuke will be okay if I don’t stay over tonight." Gaara hesitated, green eyes looking straight. He didn’t try to push away Naruto’s arm or turn down his help and Naruto took this as a sign of encouragement. "I’ll turn tail if any reporters show up, but if not, I… wouldn’t mind being home tonight. I… kinda miss it." Gaara was silent, but Naruto could tell he was thinking. His brows furrowed and he gave a quick nod.


Naruto smiled and helped him take a few steps forward. He held out one arm and hailed the taxi parked just outside.

* * *

The liquor coursing through his body threw everything in slants: the floors, the walls, even his feet taking short steps in front of him. Naruto’s arm was warm and comforting at this time. It kept him stable. It kept him grounded.


"How did I do?" Naruto asked beside him. "Besides making a fool of myself."


Gaara smiled a little. If anything, Naruto had handled things well. Even Gaara had noticed Mrs. Tanaka’s charms, so to speak, and thought Naruto was either completely blind or surprisingly adept at fending off her advances.


"You held your own," he smiled. He looked up at his friend and caught the necklace swinging just below his neck. The smile quickly faded. "Uchiha’s lucky he can trust you." Naruto paused beside him.


"Gaara…" Naruto began. Naruto’s hand clenched around his waist a little tighter. "Why haven’t you read any of my emails? Why didn’t you return my calls? I told you… I had something important to tell you."


Gaara’s eyes lit on the small uchiha pendant draped around Naruto’s neck. He disentangled himself from Naruto’s grasp and completed the few remaining steps down the hall.


"I didn’t need to." He fished out his keys and tried to open the door. "I was giving you your space." He tried to reinsert the key again and again, getting angry that he couldn’t even manage to unlock a stupid door. He rattled the handle in frustration.


Naruto’s warm hand covered his. Less clumsy fingers took the key, inserted it calmly and turned the lock.


"Is that what you really think?" His hand didn’t move. He kept the door closed, keeping Gaara trapped between the door and the warm body just behind him. The position was familiar.


Gaara forced the door open and stepped inside. He left Naruto’s question unanswered. "Now is not the time for this conversation," he said more rationally than he felt. He kicked off his shoes and stumbled into the entryway, flipping on the light and moving towards his bedroom.


A hand grabbed him and whirled him around. Gaara was suddenly being pressed against the wall, Naruto’s flashing blue eyes staring him down angrily.


"You’ve been avoiding me since Wednesday. You haven’t given me a single chance to explain myself… or any of this! How can you possibly know what I have to say?"


Gaara yanked on the uchiha pendant attached to the small key, tugging Naruto’s face closer. "I think this says enough, don’t you? Go home Naruto. Uchiha is waiting for you."


He tried to push Naruto away but the heavier man tightened his grip. He winced slightly at the pain in his wrists.


"I am home Gaara. This is my home. You can’t turn me away so easily." Gaara’s limbs trembled with rage. In one burst of anger he pushed Naruto and pressed him against the opposite wall.


"You don’t understand, do you? You shouldn’t be here. Thanks to your boyfriend’s public declaration, you belong to him. If the public finds out you’re living with another man, it will destroy both our reputations. You can’t live here anymore."


Gaara clenched his jaw. Saying it aloud hurt much more than he thought it would.


Naruto’s face softened. His body slowly began to relax. Blue eyes searched his face. "I’m willing to take that risk. Why aren’t you?"


Gaara shook his head. "It’s different now. Everything is different." Gaara relaxed his grip on Naruto’s wrists.


"So you’re kicking me out? Just like that? You don’t even want to hear what I have to say?" Gaara wished there could have been some malice behind those words. It would have made keeping up the anger so much easier.


Something inside him started to crack. Part of him knew this was what would happen. Part of him wanted to deny it. He finally realized he loved his best friend and now he had to say good-bye. "I can’t do it, Naruto. I can’t." It’s too painful. His eyes slid down to Naruto’s necklace once more, wishing he had the strength to rip it off his neck, wishing he had the strength to put his heart out on the line.


"Give me one good reason why," Naruto ground out. He pressed forward, trying to break free of Gaara’s grasp. Gaara felt a physical jolt when their bodies came in contact. He pushed back against Naruto, breathing harder when his torso pressed against the warm body. He could feel the metal ridges of the key digging harshly into his chest.


"Because," Gaara panted. His green eyes dipped from Naruto’s angry blue eyes to his pouty lips and shoved his mouth against Naruto’s roughly. Their teeth struck like stones, the resulting sparks shocking him down to his toes.


Gaara growled, biting the other lip harshly while his fingers dug against the wrists no longer trying to push him away. Naruto gasped, his bottom lip brushing against Gaara’s own. Naruto’s body wriggled against his, his tongue chasing Gaara’s when he pulled away to breathe. Gaara’s tongue twisted around the smooth muscle, pushing Naruto’s head back until his head knocked against the wall. Naruto’s hips wriggled against his and Gaara moaned. He could feel the other man’s cock practically leap against him. He rubbed his hips against those tight jeans and savored Naruto’s whimpers.

Naruto turned his head, mouth opening into a groan. Gaara latched onto Naruto’s neck, suckling the sensitive skin just above his pulse. Naruto shuddered. "Gaara…," he whispered in a guttural moan. Two large hands grasped his hips, pulling their bodies together. Suddenly Naruto’s body froze. "Gaara!" he said more urgently. Naruto’s arms released him, pressing against his chest and creating some distance between them. "We shouldn’t be doing this. Not… not like this." Naruto looked away guiltily. Gaara tried to ignore him. He pressed forward again trying to kiss him to make him shut up, but Naruto pushed him away. "We both drank a little too much tonight. You’re drunk and I’m drunk. We… should talk about this in the morning… when we’re thinking a little more clearly."


"You mean when we’re half naked and in front of the cameras?" Gaara’s spat. Gaara shoved Naruto’s hands away from him. He suddenly regretted ever agreeing to the second photo shoot. Tomorrow it would be back to business and Gaara would have to pretend to be Naruto’s lover while Sasuke’s critical eye kept him in check. Gaara could feel the rage boiling.


He shoved Naruto against the wall and started down the hall angrily.


"Gaara…" Naruto said. "I," Gaara paused. He turned to look at his roommate, to show him he was listening. Naruto ran a hand through his tousled blond hair. "I don’t want you to regret this in the morning."


Gaara was quiet. He watched Naruto quietly for a moment, waiting for more, waiting for him to tell him why he was in the wrong, why he would feel like a fool tomorrow. Naruto didn’t say anything. Instead he looked at Gaara uncomfortably. "I should go to sleep. We… have to be up fairly early tomorrow." He slipped by carefully and walked briskly down the hall. "I’ll see you in the morning." He closed his bedroom door behind him.


Gaara stared at his closed door for minutes after, standing in the dim hallway while his blood still pounded through his veins. His limbs felt weak, but this time it wasn’t because of the liquor. He kept waiting for Naruto to walk back out, to finish this conversation and tell them why they couldn’t step over this line again.


And when Naruto didn’t appear, he switched off the light and walked through the dark hall quietly. He closed his eyes, and allowed himself to hope.

Dragging his fingers along the wall, he paused when he reached his bedroom door. The memory of Naruto’s kiss was still hot on his lips and as much as Naruto’s rejection stung, Gaara couldn’t get over the fact that Naruto had kissed him back. He hadn’t imagined that mouth seeking out his just as enthusiastically, or the signs of arousal pressing against his leg. Gaara had made a move and Naruto had responded.


Gaara’s heart rate accelerated with his giddiness. Sasuke knew Naruto was attracted to him. He knew that Naruto wouldn’t be strong enough to resist if Gaara was persuasive enough. Naruto’s strong reactions to such clumsy attempts were proof enough. And that necklace—that damned necklace Sasuke used to practically brand Uzumaki with was a symbol, a warning just like the verbal exchange in the elevator, to stay away.


Gaara’s lips slid into a slow smile. He shrugged out of his burgundy coat, not caring when it slid into a heap on the floor. His fingers undid the small buttons of his vest slowly. He took another step forward, his left hand dragging along the wall while his vision adjusted to the dark. He undid the many buttons to his dress shirt and let it slide off his arms with the vest.


Gaara reached the end of the hall, his fingers feeling along the wall for the grooves marking Naruto’s bedroom door. His hand gripped the cool metal of the knob and he turned it slowly, forcing his hands steady despite the frenetic pace of his heart. He opened the door, catching his breath when he saw the vision inside Naruto’s room.


Naruto was sprawled out, naked in the shadows. His erection was tightly fisted in his hand. Naruto’s eyes grew wide when he realized Gaara had opened the door. He rushed to cover himself with a blanket.


"Gaara! I told you I was going to bed!" Gaara smiled, closing the door behind him and making sure it latched shut. He undid the button on his slacks, zipped his fly down slowly and removed his pants. The sound was deafening in the quiet apartment. "What the hell are you doing?" Naruto’s voice sounded panicked. Gaara turned to face him, hooking his thumbs into the tops of his boxers and began pulling them down slowly. He walked towards the bed, sliding his underwear below his hips, noting the way Naruto’s eyes were riveted, fixated on his fingers with both fear and lust.


"I'm making sure I don't regret things in the morning." He let his boxer briefs slide down to his ankles and slowly climbed onto the bed.