Slow Love (A Sasunaru Fanfic)

Chapter 3 : Graduation

Naruto sighed for the nth time. Feeling unusually nervous waiting for Sasuke at the school gate.

They were already done with the graduation ceremony and Naruto was waiting to head back home with Sasuke.

He was with him until just a few minutes ago, all their friends and their families were there too, taking pictures and chattering away.

Naruto and Sasuke's family were relatively closer because the two boys were always staying over at eachother's, so they went ahead to go prepare a grand meal in celebration of their graduation. They were hosting it together at Sasuke's.

Naruto and Sasuke stayed back to spend a little more time with their friends and went separate ways for a while.

Now the blonde was waiting for him to come back so they could leave.

He was planning to give him an answer before they graduated but they got accepted into the same college so he relaxed and it got delayed. He made up his mind to tell him today at all costs.

Naruto suddenly felt a hand ruffling his hair and whipped around, startled. Only to find a smirking Uchiha and pouted, "What took you so long?!"

"Hn.. You escaped but they didn't let me.. They want hang out tomorrow, they were inviting you too", he said as he started walking in the direction of his house.

Naruto sweatdroped, "Those idiot friends of mine are joining too, aren't they?", he asked something he already knew the answer to.

Sasuke chuckled, "Obviously"

"Hahah, tomorrow's gonna be hectic", he said, unamused. It was too chaotic when all of them got together - teasing and whatnot because they knew Sasuke liked him, and that Naruto kinda liked him back too. He blushed, still too shy to admit it even to himself.

Naruto sighed.

"If they tease us too much, I'll stop them, so don't worry", Sasuke reassured, as if he'd read his mind.

Naruto blushed, "You tease me more though, teme.."

"I don't count cause I'm special, aren't I?", he smirked.

"A§§hΦle!", he blushed more, elbowing him, "...well, you are though, so I'll let you off..", he mumbled, looking away.

Sasuke chuckled happily, putting his arm around the blonde's shoulder and pulling him closer.

Naruto took a deep breath, and said, "I love you, Sasuke", blushing red. He was honestly not ready to start dating yet, he was still scared. But he already made up his mind to be more honest to himself and especially Sasuke. So he finally told him what he really felt.

Naruto nervously looked up at Sasuke who had stopped in his tracks, going completely silent. And saw him covering the lower half of his face, cheeks tinted red. He couldn't help but feel more embarrassed now.

"At least say something, teme!", he yelled, looking away bashfully.

Sasuke cleared his throat, and sighed. Feeling hella happy, he gently hugged him, "I love you too, Naruto"

"..I know that..", Naruto mumbled shyly, hugging him back. Then realized they were outside and immediately let go. Urging him to walk faster as he speed walked away. Sasuke chuckled, as he followed him obediently.

After they reached home, they were dragged into the dining room. A grand feast greeted them as soon as they entered. And they got busy celebrating until late at night.

Naruto stayed over and their parents obviously let him. They weren't even surprised as it happened all the time.

After the futon was layed out for the blonde to sleep in. Sasuke casually questioned, "Do wanna date me?"

Naruto's heart skipped a beat. He gulped nervously, "..I do love you,  I really do, but um.. I'm not ready to do anything more than hugging.. ", he hesitantly voiced out, blushing, "So um.. Dating probably won't work out..", this was the main reason he was scared to start something with Sasuke after all. But he didn't want to delay giving an answer to him anymore than this so he ended up confessing but now he felt more guilty for making him wait again. He looked away guiltily. Unable to look at him.

Sasuke smiled, moving to stand in front of him and gently making the blonde face him. Lovingly caressing his cheek.

"Do I look like a brute who'll jump you as soon as we start dating, dobe", he smirked, playfully pinching the cheek that he was caressing.

"No, of course not!", Naruto panicked, "..but if we start dating now, when I'm not even ready and you get disappointed with me... I.. I don't want to lose you so..", he trailed off, looking hella troubled.

Sasuke chuckled and hugged him, "You're such an Idiot, dobe.. Is that why you were scared to date me? Because you thought I'll be dissapointed if I don't get to do pervy stuff with you, hm?", he couldn't help but tease him a bit.

"Baka!", Naruto blushed, hitting his shoulder, still hugging him, "I was being serious, teme"

"I know, dobe.. I just don't understand why you're so worried.  I don't love you just for your body, you know? Or do I seem like that to you..?", he asked seriously.

Naruto shook his head desperately, "You don't, that's not it, but-"

"No buts", Sasuke cut him off, softly putting a finger on Naruto's lips to shut him up.

"I don't know why you're so worried, because I would never be dissapointed with you, even if we never do anything but hug", he said with a smile, brimming with confidence.

Naruto blushed. He never said never. Just not right now. But.. He was happy to hear that.

Naruto smiled, leaning in and lightly pecking his lips, then looking away with a dark blush tainting his cheeks, "..Kissing is okay though..", he whispered in a low shy voice, utterly embarrassed.

Sasuke was about to explode out of happiness and embarrassment himself. He hugged him tightly and mumbled, "I love you so much.."

"Love you too", Naruto mumbled right back, hugging him tighter.

They started dating on the day of their graduation, and they both would fondly look back on this day even after many long years.