Taking Time

Sakura

Sasuke stood in the airport waiting for his small checked baggage to make its way around the carousel. He'd made it to Tokyo safe, so he pulled out his phone to let Naruto know. The day before he left, they'd hadn't much time to really chat about Naruto's new job possibility, nor their wedding plans. Waking up that following Tuesday was difficult for Sasuke. He felt the aftereffects from their confrontation and it muddled his emotions. They'd, fortunately, apologized, but it had felt hollow—strangely, and that hollowness extended more so from Naruto's side. Sasuke knew Naruto loved open communication, so he wanted to provide that. But even through that open line of communication they'd had, something still wasn't right and Sasuke couldn't put his finger on it.

He scrolled down his list of contacts on his phone and dialed Naruto. The blonde was at work, but Sasuke'd said he would call when he landed.

After a few rings, Naruto picked up.

"Hey, Sasuke. You got there in one piece?" Naruto said.

"Yeah. Waiting for my bag now. How was your morning?" Sasuke asked.

"Uneventful. We're closing up shop early to brainstorm for the Hyuuga meeting tomorrow." Naruto responded.

Sasuke didn't want to make any wrong moves with his own response, so he thought before he spoke.

"Are you... nervous?" Hopefully, that wouldn't touch any buttons.

"Ah, so now you're interested?" Sasuke could hear Naruto's playful smirk through the phone.

"I was always interested." Sasuke said.

"You had a weird way of showing it." Sasuke took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. He didn't want to respond to that but he couldn't help it.

"I apologized, didn't I?" Sasuke said.

"Has your opinion changed about whether or not this venture could be good" Naruto tested him, which made the Uchiha scowl.

"I'm happy you're doing what you think you should do." Sasuke said, not giving Naruto the satisfaction. He heard a sigh through the other end of the phone.

"Thanks, I guess. But to answer your question—no, I'm not nervous. I think I do well when I'm one-on-one with people. Plus, Hinata actually sounds super interested anyway, so... I think it will be fun. I'll let you know how it goes when you get back. If you care to know, that is." Sasuke saw his bag come around the carousel and reached to pick it up.

"I do care to know, Naruto. Don't say that shit." Sasuke said as he started making his way outside of the airport to find a taxi. There was an odd silence as if Naruto was waiting for something else, but it never came. The two of them were about to head into separate meetings that could alter how their lives moved forward. It could make them better or worse. While Sasuke wasn't sold on the career move Naruto might take, he wanted to be as supportive as he could. He knew Naruto was supportive of him, right?

"So, good luck then." Sasuke said, hoping he'd hear those same words in response.

"Ah, thanks. I'll talk to you later... Or tomorrow, whichever." Naruto said, seemingly distracted on the other end.

"Yeah, bye." Sasuke said, feelings slightly dejected.

"Later!" Naruto concluded the call with a click. Sasuke put the phone back in his pocket, unsure why he felt so alone in that moment.

He looked around, spotting the man standing outside of the black SUV holding a sign with his name on it. He approached.

"Sasuke Uchiha?" The man said in a deep tone. He was dressed in a black suit, with his hair slicked back. His cologne was exceedingly strong, but Sasuke didn't mind. Airports tended to smell stuffy and of poor hygiene, at least this man gave a shit about his scent and appearance.