A/N:

Sorry, it obviously took me more than just a while to update this. I'm kind of out of fandom, and writing Naruto fanfiction was/is painful to me. However, since I'd promised to never leave a story abandoned, I tried my best to wrap up any loose threads. So, this is story is finished, however badly.

Thanks goes to Out of Sheol for bet'ing this chapter – and the whole story for me. I'm really indebted to her for making this story more coherent and readable.

All feedback is appreciated (unless you're a total arse and start ranting about seme/uke dynamics, or anything equally stupid).

...

The neighbour was going at it again. But instead of listening to Coolio or any other rapper, he'd lately developed a weird affinity for classical music – mostly Beethoven. Naruto suspected it was because the idiot had watched "A Clockwork Orange" and that, in order to be more like Alex De Large, he'd started to listen to that one particular symphony. Now, that was all fine and dandy (since there's nothing condemnable about developing a passion for classical music), only that it was driving Naruto bonkers. Indeed, it was driving him more than simply bonkers, he was losing it because it had been going on for hours. The music vibrated his eardrums like an incessant drumbeat, thunderous and intense in its wrath.

If it would only stop. Naruto rubbed his temples, feeling sweat trickle down his forehead. The music – it was awful. Slam! Naruto drove his fist against the hard wall, hitting it so hard that a bit of plaster came off and whitened his knuckles. A burning sensation took hold over Naruto's knuckles. Fuck. Naruto had lost count how many times he'd slammed his fist against the wall. His knuckles were reddened, and there was blood – Naruto hissed even more, not liking the sight of his own blood. It was so disgusting.

And it was disgusting Sasuke as well. Besides, he did value his room and Naruto going ballistic wasn't really that much of a good thing (actually, it was rather crappy). Sasuke didn't have the financial means to buy himself a new wall just yet.

"Oh fucking shut -" Naruto yelled out again. Sasuke rolled his eyes.

"Calm down, Naruto," Sasuke, who'd remained silent up to this point, commanded. He didn't want Naruto to die of an aneurysm just yet. Indeed, Sasuke thought somewhat grimly, he would kill Naruto if the boy ever dared to die on him. Of course, that rather didn't make sense, seeing that you can't kill someone who has already bitten the dust, but Sasuke didn't care. He just wouldn't have Naruto worrying himself sick over things that weren't worth it in the long run.

"Fine. I'm already calm." Naruto sighed and leaned back against the cold wall. It was unsettling to feel the chill spread over his body, but it didn't matter – Sasuke was here, after all. Just being close to him made Naruto feel less cold – even it sounded cheesy.

Somehow, even though Sasuke should have known that Naruto was nothing but an annoyance, he'd settled to studying on his bed, choosing to sit next to Naruto. Perhaps, even if he was embarrassing to admit, Sasuke liked being close to Naruto as well.

Naruto was glad that Sasuke was here, and not on that damned desk. Like this, he could reach out and touch Sasuke, if he wanted to. He wouldn't lose Sasuke so easily from his grasp; the last thing Naruto wanted was for Sasuke to slip away from his hold. These days, he felt that too many things had been slipping away from him. He'd lost Sakura. Naruto nearly slapped himself on the forehead. Why was he thinking of that again? He had Sasuke by his side, didn't he? Furthermore, he would never lose him – Naruto knew that now.

"But the music is awful," Naruto said, feeling he had to say something – and the truth was he wanted to talk a bit with Sasuke. All that silence had bothered him a bit.

Sasuke saw Naruto's disgusted face. He felt a shred of sympathy for him, knowing that blaring coming from his neighbour's stereo had to be a pain. However, the music didn't affect him much. He'd grown used to it – he'd been exposed to too much, which had rendered him nearly immune. Besides, there were other – more mentally-scarring things out there.

"You know, the music isn't the worst," he admitted. "My neighbour dresses like Alex De Large too. It's rather scary."

An image of his neighbour – a man in his early twenties with rings under his eyes and always barefoot – flashed before his eyes. He shook his head. Some people were really just too obscure, making Sasuke feel grateful that Naruto – for his rashness and hyperactivity – was relatively normal. At least, he didn't have any odd quirks like that neighbour of his.

"What he actually dresses like that? Along with the mask?" Naruto asked, surprise so evident in his tone that Sasuke had to chuckle. Naruto's all too enthusiastic nature made him more like a little boy than the eighteen-year-old he actually was. He couldn't believe that it was only a few weeks till the entrance exams; being with Naruto sometimes made him feel like they were still twelve. He was just that childish.

"Yes. Along with that," Sasuke confirmed, and closed his eyes. He wasn't really in the mood for talking, seeing how his head was spinning. He'd just gone through some equations again, which had exhausted his mental faculties. It wasn't like he was stupid or daft, but Maths just wasn't his strength. He didn't connect the dots as quickly as some people did.

Naruto, lucky idiot he was, had finished earlier. He'd fallen to complaining about the music, his aching neck and Kakashi as soon he'd been done. Sasuke had, of course, ignored him, seeing that becoming distracted now might prove to be fatal.

After all, they had entrance examinations. These two words sufficed for Sasuke to explain why he had to make it his life's duty to ensure that his entire attention was now focused on studying.

"But shouldn't you study as well?" Sasuke demanded Naruto. "I mean, it's not child's play anymore."

Naruto grimaced. "Sasuke, I will study. I do. But it's not like I need to do it twenty-four hours a day."

Sasuke raised an eyebrow. "Naruto, you spend most of the day with me. And you never study."

"That's an exaggeration and you know it. In fact, we've been spending less time together due to exams," Naruto threw in curtly.

Sometimes he felt that Sasuke was pushing him away. That was unfair, considering that, for the past few weeks, they'd not spent that much time together. Gone were the days where Naruto had spent the nights at Sasuke's home. He had to leave, in order to study. Around Sasuke – what was the point of hiding it? - he just couldn't control himself.

Sasuke halted. He remembered now. What Naruto said was the truth. But then, he wouldn't have ascribed it only to the exams. Ever since Naruto had broken up with Sakura, things had been off about them. He couldn't place a finger on why; however, Sasuke could tell that Naruto was behaving differently towards him now.

Nearly as if he's ashamed of being with me, Sasuke thought. And yet, the realisation didn't sting because Sasuke knew it wasn't the truth. Naruto wasn't ashamed of their being together. In fact, he'd more or less announced their relationship to their friends as soon as possible (who, with the exception of Kiba, had taken it with less surprise than either of them had expected to). Naruto hadn't seen Sakura since the break-up. Sasuke decided to shake that thought out of his mind.

"In fact, I need to get going," Naruto announced, rising from the bed. It creaked from the sudden motion. He stretched his arms, feeling that his body had somehow gained a sluggish quality while he'd been sitting here. The music was still blasting into his ears. Strangely, he hadn't paid attention to it.

Before he moved to the door, Naruto leaned down and kissed Sasuke gently – and almost shyly – on the lips. Disappointed, Sasuke made a noise in the back of his throat – something like a moan, only quieter – and turned his head, thus deepening the kiss in a way that took both of them by surprise. Because they were really kissing now; Sasuke's tongue had invaded Naruto's mouth, and Naruto could – abandoning his objective of moving towards the door – ended up returning Sasuke's gesture just as heatedly, all the time practically pushing Sasuke down onto the bed.

Naruto nearly ended up on top of Sasuke. And while that felt nice and good – more than nice and good, in fact – he felt that he'd have to put a stop to this. Or they'd end up doing something that wasn't what either of them needed right now. Besides, if he kept rubbing against Sasuke's lower body region like this he would have a big problem. He was already starting to feel too excited.

"Sasuke," Naruto whispered, pushing him away. He got up again. "I thought you wanted to study. Not make out."

Sasuke reddened slightly when he realised that was exactly what he'd just had in mind – making out. He wouldn't have minded ditching studying for just that. It wasn't even a hormones thing. Maybe, it was stupid, but he'd just wanted to be close to Naruto.

"I did. And I will."

Naruto smiled, feeling that Sasuke wasn't telling him the entire truth. But he let it be this time; he'd make it up to Sasuke next time. However, he just needed to get home, not only because he needed to study, but because this whole new level of intimacy with Sasuke was something he needed to get used to.

...

Me and Sasuke haven't had sex yet.

That was the first thought that sunk into Naruto's brain while he walked out of the apartment. Then, he'd been thinking about this quite often – so often that it scared him. They'd come close a few times. There had been, during the first weeks after he'd finally confronted Sakura, those nights where they'd spent a lot of time getting to know each other intimately. Sasuke had comforted him then. And Naruto – like a starved prisoner – had taken what Sasuke had offered. All that time, he hadn't spared one second thinking of Sakura.

Even now, walking down the streets, the only thing Naruto could think about was Sasuke – Sasuke, Sasuke and Sasuke. All of Naruto's thoughts were focused on memories of Sasuke, of what they'd done and Naruto remembered -

Exploring, and tasting, Sasuke's neck. Watching the way his body jerked upwards when he kissed his mouth – hot and wet. The first time he'd taken Sasuke's length into his mouth. The way Sasuke's toes had curled when he had sucked him off.

Sasuke's warmth when he'd curled up next to him at night. His soothing voice, whispering it was "not your fault" during that single time.

Naruto blushed at that, not entirely used to that kind of sensation yet. Sometimes it was more like a dream, where happenings were more like blurry memories. Then, there were moments when he recalled everything so vividly that it made his body tremble, his face burn red with embarrassment and his hands shake.

This was what being in love was probably like. Naruto hadn't felt like this before, and yet it wasn't too different from what he'd had with Sasuke before.

...

Sasuke was doing the shopping for that day. Sometimes Itachi did it, but today was Sasuke's turn. He rolled his eyes at the list Itachi had given him. What did they need cake for?

Just while Sasuke was mediating over the usefulness or lack thereof of cakes, Sakura walked into the shop with more than irritation. Clenching her fist, she cursed her mother, her father and their visitors for sending her there.

"Sasuke," a voice said, startling him so much that he nearly jumped. But Sasuke was a master of masking his emotions, so that when he turned around to meet the gaze of the person who'd surprised him, he didn't look any less calm than usual. It would have taken someone who knew him extremely well to tell that he was unnerved. And more than just a bit nervous.

It was the last person he'd expected to meet here.

"Sakura," Sasuke acknowledged, lowering his gaze at tad bit. He wasn't too sure he could look her in the eyes yet. Not after what had happened.

Sakura smiled weakly, equally ashamed. She hadn't expected to meet him here either. Then again, Sakura thought, she should have expected it. It wasn't like she could avoid either him or Naruto for the rest of her life. Even if part of her wanted to do exactly that.

"It's been a while," Sakura forced herself to say, knowing very well that she would have to initiate the discussion. Sasuke wasn't that merciful; he would never be the one to take the first step.

"Yes," Sasuke acknowledged gruffly, holding the package of sugar and plastic container of milk more tightly in his arms. The shopping list had fallen on the floor. Sasuke hadn't noticed that.

"I know. It's strange how school alienates us all. And we have final exams, too! Say are you and Naruto going to same university as-"

Sakura stopped.

"You know, you don't have to play pretend, Sakura. I know you hate me," Sasuke interrupted, his voice cool and firm.

Sakura froze. Her eyes, which she'd kept fixed on a shelf filled with jars of jam before, now focused on Sasuke's. She knew that they were burning with pain. She could see that Sasuke took a step back. He probably hadn't expected Sakura to be courageous enough to meet his gaze.

"That's not the truth, Sasuke. I don't hate you ... nor do I hate Naruto."

It was the truth. She didn't hate either of them. That would have been easy. Too easy, Sakura admitted to herself. Indeed, there had been moments she had spent cursing both of them, drawing out all the bitterness and disappointment from her heart-break. She'd spent two days thinking of reasons why Naruto would eventually come to realise that he wouldn't be happy with Sasuke, that he'd made the mistake of his life choosing him over her. Oh, how she'd have loved to hate him. How she would have loved to dismiss the fact that he was anything but a stupid prick.

And yet, she couldn't. Sakura wasn't selfish like that. Besides, she'd always told herself that – no matter what happened – she would remain their friend.

"You know, it would have been easy to hate. Maybe, at some point, I did hate you."

Sasuke didn't say anything, so Sakura forced herself to say more even if it hurt. "I hated that you'd turned me into the third wheel again. But then, the more I thought about it, the more I realised I'd always been that – a third wheel."

"You're not the third wheel," Sasuke said quietly. If Sakura hadn't been in close proximity, she'd have missed the meaning of his words.

"Of course I am. In the end, Naruto chose you over me."

And if you'd gone out with me, Sasuke. You'd have done the same. It's a vicious cycle.

Sasuke shook his head. "You're so dim-witted, Sakura. It's not about choosing. You're important to him too."

Sakura laughed bitterly. The wound – the emptiness – hadn't healed entirely yet. For Sasuke, it was all right. He'd gotten Naruto. He had the assurance that his love was reciprocated; he didn't have to live with the fact that his love wasn't returned. Sakura was the one who had to listen to Ino's incredulity about Naruto having become gay for Sasuke. It had made her feel sicker than anything else could have made her.

Every time she'd heard – be it Chouji or Kiba – talk about them, her heart had broken just a bit more. She hadn't stopped meeting with Naruto's friends just because she and Naruto had called it quits. She just didn't meet with Naruto anymore. Sasuke had always been avoiding her, anyway.

She wasn't that dumb to believe that she was so incredibly important to Naruto. Had she been truly important to him, he wouldn't have kept her by his side out of pity. It wasn't so much that Sakura minded his being with Sasuke. That was fine with her. What had broken her more was the fact that he'd used her as a means to run away from his own feelings.

"He lied to me, Sasuke. He made me fall in love with him. Even if - "

He didn't love. He just pulled me along the ride.

Sasuke gritted his teeth. He knew Naruto well enough to admit that he was a) an idiot b) impulsive and c) quite oblivious at times. Still, Sasuke knew that Naruto would have never manipulated someone in such an insensitive manner. Sakura had gotten it all wrong.

"That's not true. He wouldn't do something like this. You, of all people, should know that," Sasuke said coolly.

"I'm sorry, Sasuke. You should know that it still hurts."

Sasuke could see that quite plainly. She looked awful – thinner than he remembered her and more haggard as well. She'd lost that sparkle to her. Sasuke hated that he had been responsible for this, that he'd added to her pain by treating her like garbage.

"Don't you think it hurts him as well?" Sasuke asked, sounding more callous than he wished to. Yet, it had to be said. Sasuke wasn't one for hiding facts. He felt that Sakura should know everything.

"Naruto isn't happy just because he's got me now. He lost a friend. An important friend. And that's eating him up."

"Sasuke-" Sakura started, not sure how to interpret these words. Sasuke had no reason to say those things. Hadn't she, after all, just stood in his way with Naruto?

"I'm not telling you to forgive him today. But think about it. And Sakura? I'm sorry. For everything I did."

It wasn't an eloquent apology. It barely scratched the surface of what she needed to hear. Moreover, it wasn't what Sakura deserved. Then, life is rarely that – it's mostly less poetic, less beautiful and decidedly more uneventful than we'd like it to be.

Therefore, Sakura accepted the words for what they were. She nodded in acknowledgement, not smiling but not looking grave, either. Her eyes flickered with understanding. Sasuke nodded in return, then he turned away from her and picked up the shopping list he'd dropped on the floor.

All the while, he held on to the package of sugar and bottle of milk he'd picked out earlier before. Sasuke walked out to the counter, paid for the things and then left the shop. All normal events.

Sasuke looked so normal then. It had never hit Sakura how normal and human Sasuke was. In his jeans and dark blue sweatshirt, Sasuke struck her as being nothing but a normal boy. Perhaps, a very pretty sort of boy, but a normal boy, nevertheless. Up to this point, Sakura realised with more than shock, he'd been something untouchable, indecipherable to her.

...

Ino listened attentively to what Sakura said. Yet, to any good observer, it would have been painfully evident that she was bored. Under these circumstances, it was understandable: Ino had listened to Sakura's tirades about Naruto for quite a while. Most of the time, the outcomes were the same.

"So should I – what should I do?" Sakura asked, throwing herself back on the bed.

Ino shook her head. "You're asking me? I'm not you, Sakura. How can I know what you should do?"

Indeed, what Ino would have done was to a) stop whining b)try to get on with life and c) just remember that there are other things in life than men. But if she had said that, Ino knew she would have been called "heartless" by Sakura. Besides, it was all too easy to view things so rationally when you hadn't had your heart-broken. For Sakura, who had really been in love with Naruto, Ino knew that things weren't so clear-cut.

"Aren't you my best friend?" came Sakura's voice from somewhere below her, and Ino felt irritation flare up in her. Sometimes she felt that Sakura had no right to pull that card on her, seeing how she'd always been there for her. Then, Ino - realising what she'd been just thinking - forced herself to snap out of it. The incident over them fighting over Sasuke was in the past.

"Yes. But not your conscience. You have to decide yourself."

Sakura resisted the urge to throttle her so-called best friend. She'd hoped that Ino, who happened to see things more objectively than she did, would give her a bit more advice than that. Hell, Sakura knew that – inadvertently – she had to decide on her own.

"Can't you tell me what you really think, Ino?" Sakura tried again, wanting to hear the truth – not some sugar-coated lies. She had had enough of those lately; her entire relationship with Naruto had been based on that.

"Then, I think you should call Naruto."

"And why?"

Ino fiddled with her toes. "He was honest with you. When you asked him, he didn't shrink away. That must have been hard for him, you know?"

Sakura willed herself not to slap her forehead now. Of course, it had been hard for him, too. She knew it. Had known it then, when they'd talked on that cold bench, with the leaves fluttering above their heads and her heart breaking bit by bit – had it been a stormy day then too?

Oh yes, he must have suffered then. Sakura reasoned that he must – at least a part of him – must have suffered as much as she had. The part of her that was vengeful felt that Naruto deserved that, but another part of her – the one that had been, and still was Naruto's friend – felt awful.

"Besides, your being so miserable is annoying. Just call him. Get over with it," Ino continued, ignoring the lack of response coming from Sakura.

Sakura hid her face in her pillow. "It's not like I don't want to call. I just don't know what to say."

Ino sighed again. "Gosh, you won't find out until you act on it. Just do it, Sakura. Or do you want to wait another fifty years?"

"Ino-"

Ino snapped her fingers. "Really, Sakura. Just do it. And stop making your life hell by wondering and thinking too much. It's not healthy. Look at yourself in the mirror and then you'll see what I mean."

Ino wanted to say more, but at that moment her father chose to call for her, abruptly ending their discussion. Sakura had never been happier. Because even if she wasn't angry anymore, Sakura still wasn't ready. Even if Ino was right.

Very right, indeed.

...

A few days later, Naruto was chewing on his pencil and trying to go through a text about DNA and the various ways that it worked, when his father knocked on his door. Minato had always been an overly polite man. Perhaps, a tad bit too polite.

"Yes?" Naruto demanded, looking at his father with curiosity.

Minato smiled up at him, affectionately taking in how his son – normally, so blissfully unconcerned in his academic pursuits – was pouring over his books. He was forced to admit to himself that Naruto was growing up; it made him feel like an old man. Of course, it wasn't he like really felt so, being only in his forties and still very youthful, thank you very much. Besides, Kakashi never failed to remind Minato that his life was quite far from being over.

"A phone call," Minato said, decidedly less gruff than his son.

"Tell them I'm busy," Naruto murmured back, burying his face in his hands. The cool of his palms was comforting, easing the throbbing in his head. Really. He didn't understand how some people enjoyed this stuff – all the useless information. It was nothing other than gibberish to him really, was coaxing in its stern intensity.

"No, I think you'd like to speak to – her."

"Her?" Naruto asked, gaping dumbly at Minato.

Naruto took the mobile phone with shaking hands. He had a fairly good idea of who "her" could be. He only knew one female who knew his home number. It wasn't like Naruto didn't attract the attention of girls – he did – but he was quite careful whom he shared his home number with. Of course, Naruto wasn't paranoid. Yet, more than often, Kakashi tended to pick up the phone, and that – to put it mildly – was quite an experience of its own.

"Sakura?"

"Yes, it's me," Sakura confirmed.

"Fine. Look- I'm-" Naruto stopped; his words has pretty much died down his throat.

"Yes?"

"I ... fuck, I just don't know what to say."

"I don't know what to say either, Naruto. It's been a while."

"It has."

"How are you?"

Naruto smiled. So, she didn't hate him entirely.

"Good, I guess. Lots of studying to do. I guess, you too?"

"Yes."

"Naruto-"

"Yes?"

"I missed you. I just wanted to say that."

"It's – I missed you too."

"Yes. I have to hang up now. I have go eat lunch?"

"Okay. See you?"

"Yes. See you."

Naruto smiled a somewhat bitter smile when he heard Sakura hang up. She'd sounded distant, which didn't surprise him in the least. He had barely managed to string a sentence together himself. God, it had been awkward.

It was probably going to remain awkward for a while because, even if Sakura had sounded somewhat calmer now, things were still broken between them. Naruto didn't know how long the awkwardness would remain; however, he hoped that the breach, which now stood between them, would be mended one day. And this phone call – as insignificant as it seemed – had been a push in the right direction. Naruto smiled, placed the mobile phone on his desk and focused on the task at hand.

...

Naruto was in an unusually good mood that day. The neighbour was listening to that particular (and hateful) symphony again, but Naruto hadn't complained a single time. Instead, he was actually studying, which was more than abnormal. Well, maybe not abnormal, but rather unusual. Sasuke, who somehow wasn't in the mood for studying, felt that he had to address that peculiarity. Mostly because, if he didn't, he would have to convince himself that he was day-dreaming.

"Say Naruto, did something happen to you today?" Sasuke hoped it was something along the lines of Kakashi having said something perverted.

Naruto paused. "Actually yes. Sakura called."

There he'd said it. Naruto had wanted to bring it up before, but somehow the opportunity had not presented itself. Also, he had not wanted to upset Sasuke needlessly; he knew that Sakura was still a sore topic.

Sasuke stiffened. Maybe, it was irrational; however, he felt a bit of that old fear – that of being abandoned in favour of Sakura – light up in him again. He ignored it, though. Sasuke knew that, in spite of all his short-comings, Naruto had chosen him. He'd chosen him. There was no reason to be scared of anything now.

Naruto, as if sensing Sasuke's fear, immediately reassured him: "Don't worry. It's – not like we're getting together again."

Sasuke slapped Naruto's hand away, seething with rage. "You'd better not even think about that! Or I'd kill you-"

"Sheesh, calm down Sasuke. I don't want to fight with you."

"There is something else I want to do, Sasuke."

"Go back to studying again?" Sasuke asked, grinding his arousal up against Naruto's own. He was evil for that. Then again, he wasn't going to let Naruto go until he'd taken care of that. "You've studied enough today."

Naruto grinned. "You're quite pushy, you know that?"

Sasuke sighed, feeling that Naruto was mocking him. His fingers caressed Naruto's cheek, lovingly tracing those scars with his – what he felt them to be – dry fingers. Naruto shuddered at that touch and his eyes closed. Sasuke smiled lightly at this, glad that his subtle hints at affection were so appreciated by Naruto.

"No, but you started this. Then finish it too."

Naruto kissed Sasuke then, forcing the other boy's mouth open by nibbling his lower lip lightly – Sasuke gave him free access, allowing Naruto to kiss him more deeply. Naruto felt tingles of excitement build up in him. This was a good sign. Sasuke was pliant, more submissive than usual. Usually, it took a few more attempts at kissing to get Sasuke to be so accommodating. He had to be somehow brought in the mood. Naruto had learned quite early on in their relationship that Sasuke wasn't the sort that enjoyed being tossed down on the bed. Indeed, if thus provoked, Sasuke was quite likely to use his fist as a means getting his point across. If he didn't want to do something, he would make this painfully clear.

"You know, that was what I had in mind, anyway," he whispered into Sasuke's ear. "But I want more ... I want to feel you more, Sasuke."

"Hmm?" Sasuke asked, not fully grasping what Naruto was referring to. He didn't want Naruto to talk so much, but instead continue biting his earlobe lightly. He groaned, and turned his head to side, giving Naruto more access to his ear – and neck.

"Oh come on," Naruto said, still nuzzling Sasuke's neck tenderly, "I'm almost always the one in control or initiating stuff. I want to you to -"

Sasuke's eyes snapped open. Had Naruto just suggested that he was too passive? Anger grabbed hold of him. If that was what Naruto seemed to think of him, he'd have to show him otherwise. Sasuke wasn't going to let Naruto get away with this.

Sasuke rolled them over, so that he was on top of Naruto now. "I do initiate stuff, moron."

Naruto handed the lube to Sasuke, his cheeks blushing at that. Sasuke reddened himself. He hadn't expected this right now. He thought Naruto had meant a blow job or – well, Sasuke just hadn't expected this. Not actual penetration.

"Do you know what you're implying, Naruto?" Sasuke snapped, looking at the alien object in his hand. He knew what to do with it more or less. You smeared it on your fingers, then put a lube-smeared finger into someone's anus and prepared them with it. Putting finger after finger into him would make your partner loosen up, and get used to having something up there.

Sasuke had read all that. Yet, when he was confronted with it in reality, he suddenly felt rather awkward. Would he really have to do this to Naruto as well? What if Naruto wouldn't like it?

What if -

For the first time in his life, Sasuke was glad when he was interrupted in his thoughts.

"Of course, I do," Naruto barked back, cheeks still blazing red. Why was Sasuke making this so awkward? It wasn't like they hadn't talked about having sex before! Besides, this was rather frustrating. All this jumping around the bush, the age-old cat and mouse game that they'd been playing for months was grating on his nerves. He just wanted to get over with it – the sooner, the better.

Sasuke sighed in relief. "Then you know that there's no-"

He needed to address the importance of this, even though both of them knew that sex wouldn't necessarily change everything between them. It would just add a new dimension to their relationship; it would simply mean that they not only kissed, but also had sex. Yet, that would not make them different people. Sasuke would still be Sasuke, and Naruto would be Naruto.

Still, Sasuke was all nerves and he was shuddering. Not so much because he feared the change, but because it was just too sudden. And, all of a sudden, Sasuke was reminded of just how terribly, awkwardly young he still was (holding that odd lube in his hands and watching Naruto's eyes fixed on him was like standing in the midst of a suffocatingly hot room while being asked to strip in front of everyone).

Naruto, however, had no time. "Sasuke, shut up. Just use this thing or I'll use it. Your choice – but I'd prefer if you'd do it. I'm tired today."

And he was. Besides, he'd been the one to do the kissing. He felt that it was time Sasuke did something too; he felt it was unfair that he was doing all the work.

"Fine."

Sasuke decided that he'd just go along with it. So, he poured the – gosh, cool and somewhat slimy – substance over his palm and then coated his fingers with it. He'd cut his fingernails today, which he figured was good. After all, it might have gotten uncomfortable for Naruto otherwise; he wasn't too sure that either of them was ready for those kind of kinks yet. Maybe, on day they would be, but this wasn't the time.

Now, he'd get to – Sasuke gulped at that somewhat unappealing thought – of putting his fingers into Naruto's hole. And Naruto was laying there, his throbbing cock – still hard – and his legs stretched out. He looked somewhat odd, and yet Sasuke's own cock throbbed at the sight. Because, even if this was all alien and strange, he couldn't deny that another part him of thought it was kind of hot. Sasuke ignored the more logical parts of his mind, and placed a finger into the Naruto's tight – well, he couldn't think about it. He could feel Naruto's tremble; there was a gasp as well. Sasuke prayed that he was doing this right.

Apparently not. Because Naruto let out a "fuck".

"What is it?" Sasuke asked, starting to feel even more awkward than before.

Naruto gnashed his teeth. "It stings, moron! Be gentler!"

Maybe that wasn't such a good idea, Naruto thought, face red when he felt Sasuke's finger probing around inside of him. Not only did it sting, it was embarrassing. It didn't feel arousing at all. He'd thought that this preparing stuff was supposed to be hot. Kakashi had once told him that nothing could be hotter than -

Naruto preferred to not think about it. Any reference to sex, which included his father and Kakashi, just made him feel anything but aroused. Perhaps, he was immature but they were his mentors -- and it was just too awkward.

"I am. Relax," Sasuke returned angrily. He was doing his best, damnit. It wasn't like he was oh so thrilled having his finger up Naruto's ass. Besides, Naruto's thrashing and cursing wasn't making this anymore pleasant; he'd thought that Naruto would enjoy this. Then again, realising just what he was doing and how, Sasuke guessed that he wouldn't have been a better sport about this, either.

"I guess, I should -" Sasuke wasn't going to finish that sentence. He figured that Naruto knew what he was going to do. So, Sasuke did the only thing that popped into his mind. He caught Naruto's lips with his own, settling his body above Naruto's. He placed himself between Naruto's legs, could feel his cock rub against Naruto's and that made him groan momentarily. Damn it. Even if he'd been irritated and annoyed, Sasuke had remained hard – one part of his body had remained hopelessly eager about the prospect of the upcoming event. Sasuke shuddered. He really couldn't believe they were going to do this.

"Are you-" Sasuke started, but another "fuck" coming from Naruto stopped him.

"Just do it. Quit asking me such embarrassing questions!" Naruto snapped. Because this was embarrassing, all right. Being naked and in such a somewhat demeaning position was nearly humiliating. Besides, Sasuke was taking too long, prolonging this so unnecessary that Naruto wanted to drive his fist against something. Preferably the wall. Not Sasuke. He rather liked Sasuke's face.

Sasuke sighed. Insufferable idiot, he thought. Well, if Naruto was going to make this so difficult, then he'd just let him have it his way. Counting till ten, Sasuke slowly positioned his penis at Naruto's entrance, doing his best not to cuss while he did so.

Sasuke trembled while he did so, and swore that sweat was running down his back; however, there was no stopping himself now. And then he could feel it – his head was slowly pushing into the warm and tight heat. Naruto groaned underneath him; the groan grew into a hiss as Sasuke pushed in even more – pushed and pushed until he was fully sheathed inside of Naruto. Oh God, he thought.

Damn - that hurts, ran through Naruto's head. It did hurt too. The pain was nearly searing, like being – well, not nearly split in two – but he was being uncomfortably stretched. Besides, Sasuke was heavy. His chest was sweaty as well, sweaty and wet against his own chest. Sasuke's sweat, dripping down his forehead, was intermingling with his own. But Naruto didn't mind that much. What he minded more was that he felt so idiotic – his knees spread apart, his chest heaving and gosh, his head filling dizzier than ever.

And Naruto wasn't entirely sure if this whole ordeal – the feeling embarrassed and so humiliated – was really worth it. Maybe sex was just over-rated. A fabricated lie told by the media to make people buy trashy romance novels – or something like that.

And I can't believe I actually pushed Sasuke into doing this with me now.

But then he realised. It was worth it. Sasuke was – wow – he was really inside of him now. Even if it hurt, Naruto could feel Sasuke so very much that it overwhelmed him. Through all the pain, Naruto felt something like anticipation build in up in his stomach. This might just begin to feel good soon enough.

"You fine?" Sasuke asked, his voice shaky. It was too hard to remain indifferent now.

Naruto nodded. He wasn't in the mood to talk. Besides, what could he say right now? He couldn't say anything because he felt that whatever words would have come pouring out of his mouth would have been incoherent gibberish. His brain had long since stopped functioning properly.

Instead, he just opted for caressing Sasuke's cheek, liking how the other boy sighed at the touch.

This was the only thing he was going to get from Naruto, Sasuke realised. There'd be no verbal agreement from him, maybe because there was nothing else to be said. That was fine. Sasuke didn't need anything else, other than the knowledge that Naruto was fine with this – fine with them being together.

And so he started to move, slowly at first. Even if the sensation of being inside of Naruto was – to put it quite plainly – amazing; it was all heat and tightness, as well as something else. Something that wasn't necessarily connected to being inside of Naruto than the epiphany that they were finally really together. That, after all the struggle and doubt, there would be no more obstacles standing in the way. At least, Sasuke thought so at that moment. Perhaps, it was naïve, but then he was only a teenager who was experiencing all the frightful passion of being with a special person for the first time. A little light-headedness and sappiness was easily excusable on his part, Sasuke thought.

Sasuke was so gentle. Naruto marvelled at that, while he ran his fingers down Sasuke's back. He'd expected him to be more passionate and rough, slamming into him with the full force of someone who'd been deprived of pleasure for too long. But he was gentle, moving slowly and truly trying to get Naruto used to the feeling of him. Naruto shut his eyes. He had to admit he rather liked this – rather liked feeling Sasuke inside of him. The pain had become duller.

Slowly, Naruto felt that it was starting to feel quite ... pleasant. Yes, so Sasuke was still heavy and the slapping-sliding sounds of their bodies moving together wasn't like music in his ears, but it felt nice. Sasuke was warm. His body heat, the lips that occasionally brushed against Naruto's forehead and that hand rubbing his own arousal felt good – more than good, actually.

"Faster," Sasuke heard Naruto stammer out. Sasuke obliged, losing himself further in being inside of Naruto. He knew that he wasn't going to last long, knew that thrusting faster now would only lead to his coming quicker. But then, Naruto was groaning and thrashing underneath him, tempting him so much that -

Damn it, he just couldn't hold it anymore. Sasuke, having always been a person who thought he had himself in control, came faster than he'd expected. He came with a harsh, undignified grunt and fell forward onto Naruto's chest, burying his head in Naruto's reddened neck. He briefly licked the salty skin, liking how Naruto groaned at that.

This had been good. But he'd come way too fast. In fact, Sasuke noticed with horror that Naruto was still hard.

"I'm sorry-" Sasuke started, but Naruto shook his head. Not that again. He was tired. He was sweaty, and – above all – he just needed release. Fuck Sasuke and his insecurity complex. He needed action, not retraction.

"Don't apologise. Just do something," Naruto shot back, and taking Sasuke's hand into his led it to his still hardened cock. Sasuke, gulping down quite a bit saliva, encircled it with his hands and started to pump – earning a groan from Naruto. He pumped a bit more, continuing to do so till he felt something slightly warm sputtering on his hand. Then, out of curiosity, he licked his fingers, tasting Naruto's semen.

Naruto was horrified. "Sasuke- did you just?"

Sasuke shook his shoulders. "It didn't taste that bad."

Naruto threw a pillow at him. "That's about the most disgusting-"

Sasuke decided that now was the time to shut Naruto up with a kiss, even if he'd tasted pre-cum. Then again, Naruto didn't seem to mind it all that much now.

...

In another part of the city, Sakura closed the book she had just been reading with a loud sigh.

Going to study medicine was going to be difficult, she knew that. Then, all-nighters like this would probably become the norm; however, she had made up her mind on it. She would become a doctor – she knew she would be a good one. It had always been her dream to be independent.

Naruto and Sasuke

Naruto -

It still hurt to think about him - them. Sakura felt that it would probably still hurt for a while and that – for the time being – she was better off not seeing him. Or Sasuke.

But it won't last forever.

No, she didn't want things to return to how they had been. Rather, she wanted them – her, Naruto and Sasuke – to have a new beginning, where no one was a third wheel. Where Sasuke wouldn't feel neglected, she didn't feel redundant and Naruto would not been torn.

"Sakura, can you finally switch that light off?" Ino grumbled, shielding her eyes with the blanket. "And get to bed. You've been carrying this on too much."

Sakura smiled. She knew that things were going to turn out just fine – because even a wasteland can be transformed to something beautiful, if you applied enough patience and love to it.

---