Forged In Fire

[01] Broken Aspirin

[❝The devils here are vast and plenty.❞]

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Alright, Sasuke was aware that everybody—including himself—underestimated Naruto's ability to do...well anything.

It was something that Sasuke felt the most guilt over, because well, hadn't Naruto proved time and time again that he could do anything he set his mind to? But, it was an ingrained habit at this point. Scoffing and shaking his head was practically an instinct at this point. A bad habit.

A bad habit that he was trying to break. Because Naruto deserved better. So, Sasuke would try his best. His best would never be as good as Naruto's. That wasn't even possible, and Naruto would probably tell Sasuke that 'it's okay' and that he 'doesn't mind,' Sasuke does.

They were at a bar. Sakura and Ino had insisted on having a 'reunion' of some sort. Sasuke couldn't remember what it was called, he had been too busy decorating Naruto's skin with marks. Apparently, it was supposed to be like 'the good old days,' or something like that and while he couldn't remember when exactly they had done it in the past, he had made a firm decision not to go.

A decision that lasted approximately about 3 minutes, before that adorable pout and huge blue eyes defeated him. The world was lucky that Naruto hadn't figured out about the power he held over the Uchiha, because Sasuke was powerless against that look. Honestly, Naruto was already too adorable for his own good, without the puppy eyes on a normal day.

It had been worth it. Because after he (reluctantly) agreed, he had be rewarded with Naruto's beaming smile with eyes turning into happy crescents and dimpled cheeks. It was the most charming and endearing smile in history and Sasuke would kill anyone who dared to even think differently.

When he had agreed, he had prepared himself to deal with an obnoxiously drunk Naruto. One that would probably act like Kiba and sing London Bridge off a rooftop, off-key. He had been prepared to stop Naruto from drinking for the safety of everyone around them.

He found that he needn't have worried.

Because, damn, if Naruto didn't hold his liquor well. With his alcohol tolerance, the raven was pretty sure that Naruto could even out-drink him at this rate. He kept that thought to himself though because he likes his pride, thank you very much.

He had been suspicious at first, worried that it was just an illusion, a false sense of security, and that the gates of hell would open any moment. But, it hadn't. Naruto was completely normal (well, as normal as Naruto could be), if not just a tad bit blunt.

This is why you could understand why he was surprised when Shikamaru had come up to him, a concerned frown on his face, and said, "I think you should probably take Naruto back now, Uchiha. Before the stage sets in."

Sasuke had been confused. Apparently, it had shown on his face because Shikamaru's eyes lit up with understanding, and had said, "You don't know, do you?"

"Don't know what?" Sasuke shot back, slightly irritated.

"How Naruto can be when he's drunk," was the confusing reply.

"What's there to know? He seems pretty sober," Sasuke said, a challenge in his voice. He did not appreciate how Shikamaru was beating around the book.

"Right," Shikamaru sighed. "This is troublesome. Well, I suppose I might as well tell you, you'd have a heart attack otherwise. Though, really someone else should have told you," he said, throwing a glare at Kiba.

"Will you spit it out already!" Sasuke was on the edge of his patience. He was this close to snapping Nara's neck.

"Naruto is a somber drunk, or a sad drunk if you will," Shikamaru said, unbothered by the glare Sasuke was sending him. "He gets really down when he gets drunk."