Home

A Brief Reunion

Naruto... Naruto!

Sasuke's face became even more pale and his entire body rushed with that fever he couldn't extinguish. He was paralyzed, hands trembling, but managed enough to shut the door behind him.

What do I do?

Hadn't he been asking for this the entire time? Internally pining for Naruto to come and find him and save him from this loneliness? Welcome him "home?" Isn't this what he wanted?

Fuck.

His presence was coming closer. It was clearer. More distinct. And, above all, it was overwhelming. Sasuke hadn't understood these emotions towards Naruto, something he'd only realized upon talking with all of his old comrades, especially Sakura.

He's almost here.

He did know what he felt for Naruto was different from what he felt for others. While he couldn't define the emotion in detail, he knew his mind and body overheated at the thought of him, at the mention of him even. There was a chemical reaction taking place underneath that pale skin, scorching his veins. The only way to properly come to terms with it was to face it head on and experience it. No more running away.

His hand was sweating, the nerves were visible. His clothes had dirtied. But he didn't have any time left. Naruto would be here in...

Two feet landed, harshly, outside of Sasuke's house, in the courtyard area, creating a cloud of dust in their wake. He came from above, so Naruto must've been jumping from roof to roof, a quicker, more efficient way to get here. Sasuke expected him to burst through the door, but that didn't happen. So, he mustered the strength to look over his shoulder and see through the blurred window... Naruto wasn't moving, but looking down, just breathing. He was here, but what was he waiting for? Did he expect Sasuke to come out and approach him? These few seconds felt like ten minutes.

Finally, he saw Naruto perk up, as if he was recharging and now ready to release that pent up energy.

And then, as expected, loud and clear...

"Sa-SUKE!" That raspy voice echoed far into the night and beyond.

Sasuke fell, weak, and filled to the brim with that undefined emotion. His legs were tingly, almost like jello, making it hard for him to slowly stand back up. But when he did, he took a huge breath and slid the door open.

Naruto.

And there he was. After two or so years, finally face to face with his closest friend. The idiot. The knucklehead. The loudest, most obnoxious boy - no, man - in this village, without a doubt. Naruto's hands were on his hips and he was wearing a loose fitting t-shirt and slacks. His hair reflected the moonlight and his smile was practically blinding in the night. Sasuke's darkness didn't compare to Naruto's light.

They stood a distance away from each other and let the reunion moment overtake them. Sasuke was speechless. The only way he knew how to interact with Naruto was through snarky comments and witty banter, but they were adults now. It felt immature to come straight out of the gate with -

"Way to wake the whole village up, idiot." He couldn't help himself.

Naruto's confidence shrivels up, as his eyes go white and his hand forms a fist. He hadn't changed. Sasuke knew exactly how to press those buttons, and who would've thought it'd still be pretty amusing. Overall, it was somewhat of a relief to him. To know that he was basically the same. Maybe he didn't miss too much while he was away. Only seconds before was Sasuke so overrun with emotion, he thought he'd burst, but now, once he actually spoke to Naruto, the anxiety almost melted away.