Baggage

Every night, when Naruto's clock stops ticking, Sasuke stands from his futon and travels through Naruto's small apartment, until he can find his friend. He will then sit in his lap, with his head in the crook of the blond's neck, and he will stay there for one hour and one hour only. Feeling Naruto's pulse against his skin, but not being able to see Naruto himself. Or hear him. Or even offer his thanks for letting him be this close to the person whose life was nearly taken by his own hands.

But Naruto strangely knows already that Sasuke is so very sorry. So he doesn't protest holding Sasuke.

----

What if instead of an arm, Sasuke lost something even worse?

What if he lost his hearing from the explosions and screams he heard on the battlefield? What if he too lost his sight from the overuse of his so-called clan's pride and joy? And what if he lost his voice purely because the world was cruel enough to take it as well from him? And what if he lost the ability to function alone? And what if Naruto took him in? And what if he himself tried to heal Sasuke?

But what if...

...it doesn't work?