Freedom & Adoration

Adoration

Chapter Two

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

Naruto stepped back and used the sleeve of his cardigan sweater to wipe his unshed tears. He saw how tightly Sasuke hugged Itachi, silently crying into his older brother's neck. Watching them embrace each other after years of being separated was... indescribable. He was there for all the sorrow, the longing, everything.

He'd helped Itachi with his nightmares and when things got dark. He'd heard Sasuke's broken voice and seen the look of agony when they had to leave after their first-ever visit to the prison. Naruto knew they were the only family they had left, and the emotions were flying high right now. Naruto was not going to cry. He was not going to cry

The chanting was really for nothing because Naruto absolutely was crying. The blonde suddenly felt overwhelmingly shy and decided that he needed to check out his shoes.

Sasuke eventually let Itachi go and stepped towards Naruto, who messily wiped his tears. It was the first time he'd seen Naruto like this. In the daylight, in person without a shitty glass between them.

After a breath to hype himself up he glanced up from his orange loafers and shyly grinned at the Uchiha, "Nice to officially meet you."

Sasuke felt his heart pounding in his chest and a smile spread, "Nice to meet you, Naruto."

The blonde couldn't help himself, "Sorry! I just have to – ". He threw his arms around Sasuke without any other warning. He was an affectionate guy and Sasuke looked so huggable right now. He felt an overwhelming need to comfort. To care.

Sasuke stood stunned, reveling in the feeling of having Naruto in his arms. Like he'd always dreamed of. He smelled like nothing he could've imagined, like citrus and almond and vanilla and –

Oh fuck he probably smelled like shit. Like prison. Sasuke felt embarrassment rush through him and he leaned back, "I probably smell..."

Naruto chuckled, "Shut up." The stupid idiot would worry about something like that right now. Naruto didn't give a fuck. This was someone he cherished and after all these years he was actually hugging him.

After a few more (embarrassing) moments, the trio got into the SUV and headed home.

During the drive, Sasuke took in the view of the town and the landscape. The radio was on and Naruto was chatting with Itachi. Sasuke felt too overwhelmed to talk at the moment, and thankfully it was something that the others understood, and he took the opportunity to settle in. To see the snow-covered mountains in the distance, to hear the crunch of the road under the tires, and the smell of Itachi's cologne lingering in the car.

They got out of the SUV and Sasuke silently stood in front of the house. The dark wood, grey brick chimney, and large windows. He could hear the ducks at the lake and see the lazy puffy sheep in their pen.

Naruto's photographs were amazing but seeing it all in person was magical.

Sasuke wasn't able to revel in the peace for long when Naruto shoved him along with Itachi past the entrance and directly to his room in excitement. They didn't even wait for him to see the rest of the house; his room was the priority here.

The blonde presented the bedroom with open arms, "I hope it looks okay!"

Okay? It was cozy. He set the box he'd brought from the prison down and touched the black supple sheets. He had an actual bed and an actual mattress. It was...strange. Overwhelming. That seemed to be the only fitting word.