One morning Naruto opens his door and Sasuke is standing there, looking bored. It's just before dawn, the sun has not quite reached the horizon yet, but the sky is going from black and blue to pale and yellow. It's three years later and Sasuke still makes himself appear to belong wherever he wishes. Three years later and Naruto never stopped hoping. Three years later and Naruto doesn't demand an explanation.

What is important is that Sasuke is back.

His apartment is a mess, and Sasuke comments, just like Naruto knew that he would the moment he let him inside. There is something soft and gentle in the tone, however, as if Sasuke missed this, missed Naruto, even though he doesn't say so.

They half tumble into bed and Naruto doesn't question the logic of it. Of course Sasuke would return one day. Of course he would appear out of the blue. Of course he would be a jerk about it. Of course he would return to Naruto, because Naruto never stopped hoping. So Naruto is fifteen years old and loses his virginity to Sasuke, who is also fifteen years old but mentally fifty-three, and Naruto is so happy it hurts and it doesn't matter that Sasuke is a little too rough. It doesn't matter that Sasuke is fifteen years old and shouldn't know the things he shows Naruto that morning as the sun slowly creeps up to reach the white clouds. Because Sasuke is back and he is there and he is touching him and that means that he cares and that he is going to stay, and that means that it is all alright. What matters is that Naruto was right about Sasuke, that Sasuke was wrong about what he really wanted, that the unwavering loyalty will finally be rewarded after all this time.

Afterwards they lie next to each other, briefly Naruto knows because Sasuke isn't the kind to cuddle, but that's alright too because everything in the world is right again. Sasuke runs a pale hand through Naruto's hair and smiles, and Naruto smiles back.

"I knew you would come back to Konoha," Naruto says, and rather than arguing Sasuke agrees. Pale fingers move down a tanned chest and everything is just right, and then everything is wrong, because suddenly Naruto sees. Sees the eyes that aren't black, the voice that doesn't call him dobe, the smile that is too wide, the smile. Sasuke sees that Naruto sees, and chuckles.

"Sakura couldn't tell the difference either, Naruto-kun."