Taking Time

Cold

Naruto stood beside a stoic Sasuke in the elevator heading up to the 23rd floor in his high-rise. He didn't know how many floors existed in this building, but... 23rd floor? It sure did sound like Sasuke had gotten himself a penthouse.

Naruto eyed Sasuke, who was standing a bit in front of him. The two of them had left Siegetsu's party a bit early after having a small disagreement sparked by interaction with Sakura, Sasuke's colleague. She really didn't have anything to do with it, truthfully, even though Naruto fed off of her joking attitude a bit—something he now realized was in poor taste. He knew that growth was hard to achieve. Since it was still taking him time to figure out what growth in himself he was actually seeking. It seemed Sasuke had some idea though, for himself. Falling into old habits was a big fault of both of their's, but, tonight, it was more on Naruto's shoulders. He knew that now. Seeing Sasuke reserved and distant was painful. It always had been and it always would be. Especially now so, with Sasuke having made the point that he was trying to change—to better himself. Naruto was too, but he messed up a little. It was why he suggested going see Sasuke's apartment. He wanted to get away from the outside pressures that weren't helping him out. Naruto was a people pleaser, a social butterfly, and a jokester. Sometimes... It wasn't a strength. If he wanted to figure out his relationship with Sasuke—or anyone for that matter—he needed to listen and be receptive to how the others expressed themselves.

As the elevator stopped on the 23rd floor, Sasuke looked over his shoulder at Naruto and cued him to follow him.

Naruto walked with him down the hall towards the end of it in silence. Sasuke paused in front of one of the doors, taking out a small fob and pressing it against the reader above the door handle. It clicked open and the two of them went in.

The space was dark, with only a single light on in the large living room. Sasuke headed straight to the kitchen counter, where he deposited his car keys, fob, and wallet.

Naruto just let the door fall behind him as he took off his shoes. He didn't think the world around them could get any quieter, but with the door now shut to the outside world, the emptiness because heavy.

So quiet, Naruto thought. Not even the loud, bustling city could be heard from this high in the sky. Naruto scanned the room in its uninterrupted state. It was so... Sasuke. Clean, perfectly manicured, as if it was rented out like this. It didn't look like Sasuke had lived there for half a year. It looked like he'd moved in yesterday. It kind of reminded him of how their old apartment used to look.

"Well?" Sasuke said, "Told you it wasn't a penthouse."

Naruto, still standing by the door, chuckled a bit. "Can't imagine what a penthouse looks like if it isn't this."

Sasuke looked down for a brief second as if debating what to do next. Naruto could feel his discomfort.

Essentially... now what?

He was looking at Sasuke's apartment, which is why he came in the first place... Well, now, he's seen it. Mission complete. What else was there?

He sighed. Naruto could always think of something to do or say quite quickly, but at this moment he was lost for thought and words. He wasn't even sure if Sasuke'd want him to stay much longer. Sasuke never did enjoy staying up too late, unless there was work to do. A casual hang out though? Naruto didn't even remember when their last "date night" had been before they abruptly ended things. The entire interaction when it was just the two of them felt like walking on eggshells. There was no buffer, no distractions. It was just them.

He didn't know what to do. And so... Naruto just looked at Sasuke, standing near the kitchen, fumbling with some papers on the counter in an effort to "clean up" or "look busy." The moonlight trickling in through the giant window in the living room gave the entire space a natural blue hue. It reflected off of Sasuke's hair too, making him look like some dark angel who'd fallen from the heavens. It was hard for Naruto to pull his stare away. Seeing Sasuke just existing—not talking, performing, engaging, working—only existing hit him with pure nostalgia. It made him long to go back in time. It made him wonder if there was a different path he could've taken...