What is...love?

The Tomato

Author Note: Copying from AO3 might change some of the kaomoji. I'll try to make sure it doesn't!

Chapter Five: The Tomato

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

It was another morning and Sasuke was aggravated. He was at another Friday weekly meeting, nursing his second cup of espresso. Shisui was babbling about 'job well done' to the personnel or something like that because they were beaming at him. Itachi was on his tablet typing what he guessed was an email and Obito thankfully wasn't there. He wasn't sure if he could handle his annoying ass too this morning.

His phone buzzed in his pocket and he quickly pulled it out. 3 vibrations. Naruto. He fought back a giddy smirk and made sure no one was looking at him.

Dealing with dumb college students is sooo fun. Trade spots with me one day? (* ^ ω ^)

I'd rather die. I can barely handle clients here

I think you'd kill them instead! Plus, I'd make a horrible architect financial person...thing

I'll have to test that out. Guess what I learned?

What?! (・・ ) ?

(>ω^)

Omg you learned how to use them!! (b ᵔ▽ᵔ)b

I knew you'd be excited. Get back to work

And then, because he had become that person, he sent:

(*¯ ³¯*)♡

Sasuke was snapped out of his texting by a sudden clap. The rest of the meeting had gone by, not that he cared much. Most of these meetings tended to be repetitive. Itachi pulled him to the side as he was walking out and gave him an amused stare. Sasuke stared back defiantly waiting for whatever sly comment his brother was about to make. 3...2...1...

"Baby brother, how is your courting going? Mother told me all about it."

"Fuck off."

Itachi walked away with a stupid deep chuckle that probably scared half the office and Sasuke grumbled back to his office which probably scared the other half. Stupid Deidara and stupid Itachi and stupid Shisui.

He peeked at his phone, but Naruto still hadn't responded. He fought against the feeling of anticipation in his stomach and focused on the spreadsheets on the screen. Numbers. He knew numbers. Numbers were easy. Numbers relaxed him. It was a struggle, but he managed to keep himself busy for the rest of the workday. Thankfully no one came in to bother him, so his aggravation level was back to the usual. He glanced one last time before he left to go home and saw there was no response from Naruto. Shit. Shit. What if he'd scared him off? Maybe sending that stupid face was creepy?

The alpha sent another text. No faces. Just straight up -

Hey are you ok?

Naruto took his phone off do not disturb as he exited the campus building he was in and saw the message Sasuke had sent a couple of minutes ago. He couldn't help the small smile on his face. It was nice to have someone check on him that wasn't his Gaara, family, or friends.

Yeah sorry! I had some uni work and I'm barely heading out. I'm so damn hungry

The blonde pulled up Yelp as he was walking to his SUV and checked to see what was open and sounded appetizing. Most places were starting to close up. It was 9:45. Maybe fast food?