The Ardor of Every Day

10.

Naruto went downstairs to find Sasuke after getting approval from his mom to stay longer at his house. The way the storm was brewing, he might even have to spend the night here. As he walked into the kitchen he saw Sasuke opening and closing a bunch of cabinets and wandering around.

"You know... I can cook if you want." Said Naruto as he observed Sasuke's actions.

"I wouldn't be a proper host if I let you do that." Said Sasuke and continued his actions.

"Don't worry about that. I'm a reasonable cook, so I insist." Naruto replied.

Sasuke paused and looked at him with an unsure expression. When he was alone, he would just order takeout or survive on basic meals he could make for himself. So he decided that after all, it might be a better idea to let Naruto cook since he didn't know how to cook properly.

"Ok then, you can cook. What did you have in mind?" Sasuke sighed and asked due to the lack of options.

"Let me just have a look at what groceries you have." Naruto said and started looking in the cabinets and the refrigerator.

He looked and double-checked everything for a couple of minutes and started lining up ingredients on the kitchen counter. Sasuke had no clue what was in Naruto's mind so he just stood there watching him.

"Ok, it seems like we have everything." He said as he placed the last thing on the counter and turned to Sasuke.

"What are you making?" Sasuke asked, crossing his arms.

"Meatballs! Is that ok?" He asked Sasuke, unsure if he liked meatballs or not.

"Yeah yeah."

"Ok I'm gonna get started then. Do you have an apron?"

"Uh yes, just a second."

Sasuke opened a tiny linen closet beside the kitchen arch and pulled out a red and white gingham apron for Naruto.

"Here you go. Let me help you, I can cut the vegetables or something." Sasuke was not good at cooking, but he wanted to be a helping hand at least, he felt guilty for making a guest do all the work.

"No I've got it. This recipe is pretty quick anyway, it doesn't have much to it." Naruto smiled at Sasuke and tied his apron.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes yes I'm sure." Replied Naruto.

With that Sasuke left the kitchen and went up to his room to get a book to read in the meantime. He brought his speaker downstairs and put on some mellow background music. He loved stitching a mood around him to match what he was feeling most days. With the thunder outside, him sitting on the couch with his book listening to low beats and the faint sound of the exhaust from the kitchen, it was a perfect setting. He sat on the couch with his knee up to his chest and the other leg crossed under. The windows in the house were kept open to let the air in. The rain had gone on for days and had turned the air from humid to a breeze. The smell of earth would enter the home in increments from the backyard. Sasuke was trying hard to focus on his book when he couldn't help but look at Naruto. Naruto seemed in his zone, determined to get dinner ready. A faint layer of sweat was building upon his forehead from the heat of the stove. While cooking, Naruto thought about how Sasuke and he were getting closer. Even if it was the slightest change. Today, Sasuke seemed to have more expression on his face than Naruto had ever seen. Usually, his face would be blunt and his words, to the point. Today, his tone changed depending on what he was saying and so did his facial expressions. He moved his eyes, his nose and his mouth to match what he said. It wasn't much, but it was enough for Naruto for now. He wondered if Sasuke too felt the thick air between their interactions, or if it was just his imagination.