A Slight Issue

Chapter 6

Third person pov

Sasuke is sliding down the wall, gasping for air, sobbing his heart out from pure joy. Stomach aflutter with butterflies, heart about to beat right up his throat and out his mouth. His pulse is racing, his hands are shaking, he can hardly breathe. It's the morning after The Incident, insert trademark here, and Sasuke is still insanely giddy over the fact that Lennox (the love of his life, literally the most perfect specimen to ever walk this planet) had brought him his bag.

"Good morning, Lennox." Sasuke all but purred at the boy upon skipping the entire way to his fence. Lennox blinked at him as he beamed, happily propping his elbows up on the fence so he could rest his chin on his closed fist and better observe the object of his affections. "Thank you for bringing me my bag yesterday."

Sasuke's in such a good mood that he's even putting off his plans to decidedly eradicate the entire Yamanaka clan. It's tempting. He'd almost left last night to go get it over with, but anything that put his chances with Lennox in jeopardy during this still-fragile time was a no go. So, they'd live to breathe another day, not knowing the only reason they still walked this earth was due to the flawless GEM living right beneath their noses.

"I-It was no problem." Lennox gave a hesitant nod to Sasuke, offering his usual small smile. Sasuke sort of zoned out, smiling and just staring at him. Lennox blinked and tilted his head curiously at his Uchiha friend. He supposed Sasuke may be sick. That would explain his red face, right? Hopefully he still did well on his exam.... "G-Good luck o-on your exam." 

Should he have said that. Sasuke was blinking and smiling wider, but at least he was nodding now. Lennox offered a small smile of his own, ducking his head nervously. He thought of the tomato soup flavored cupcake inside he would give Sasuke to congratulate him on his passing and tried to hide the flush on his cheeks. Would it be weird if Sasuke waited for him outside the gate with it? Did he have anyone else coming to see him? Lennox knew they were friends, but Sasuke was just so popular...

"Thank you, Lennox." Sasuke hummed warmly, staring for a moment longer. And then another moment. And maybe several more moments after that, because how he is supposed to look away? There is a tiny Sasuke up in his head that is rapidly tap dancing right now and there is no way to stop him. "W-Well, I guess I'll see you later!"

"R-Right!" Lennox squeaked out, jumping slightly. Sasuke stared at him a beat longer before his cheeks went pink and he turned on his heel, seemingly to physically peel himself off the fence so he could march off. Lennox felt his heart stop in his chest when he saw that Sasuke didn't have his bag over his shoulder, but it resumed beating again when he realized it wasn't on the fence either.

Sasuke marched off resolutely, not looking back because he knew there's absolutely no way he'd be able to ever look away again if he did. Lennox was right. It was exam day, and though he'd probably be fine if he was late, it was better if he wasn't. Besides, he has a lot of things to look forward to after the exam. Namely the walk home...

~

Sasuke's expression was schooled when he walked out with a headband tied around his forehead, beelining for the exit and daydreaming of seeing Lennox's bright expression when he saw that he'd passed. Proud parents praised their children all around the courtyard as he made to leave. He ignored the stares that drilled into his back and sides, pushed away the whispers with thoughts of copper hair and bright green eyes.

But then, something happened. Something that blindsided Sasuke even more than the backpack incident the day prior. Something he never would've seen coming even from a mile away. Something that had the tiny Sasuke inside doing a double back flip, even a little jig.