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[ his gaze rakes Naruto (it's become habit, in their time here— a careful study of one another's states). he looks how Sasuke feels— off kilter, lacking the sure footing they'd slowly been developing.
but things are so different. it isn't just the weather.
Itachi, Kurapika— everyone who mattered. ]
Hn.
[ he closes his eyes and turns away, leading Naruto back into the building ]
but things are so different. it isn't just the weather.
Itachi, Kurapika— everyone who mattered. ]
Hn.
[ he closes his eyes and turns away, leading Naruto back into the building ]
[ sasuke gives him a once over as if it's part of some secret screening process to be let in. in another time, naruto might have been irritated.
but he isn't.
instead, he falls into step after his partner without protest- listens to the muted sound of their footfalls on the floor. takes care to stay quiet even as they pass sakura's room- just in case.
it's still really weird.
he'd moved them all in together a few weeks before they'd left- but everything was so chaotic, he rarely found himself stumbling into someone else. between pulling shifts for the watch, training, and running missions alone, for the number of people who had been bound up together, the house was always pretty quiet. there are moments however, that he still expects to walk in the front door and find itachi in the kitchen. blindly preparing a pot of tea, and pouring a cup for naruto himself. the memory tightens something in the bottom of his stomach.
you're my partner'attebayo. that makes us equals.
only here.
naruto draws up short in the space between their bedrooms. ]
Sasuke.
but he isn't.
instead, he falls into step after his partner without protest- listens to the muted sound of their footfalls on the floor. takes care to stay quiet even as they pass sakura's room- just in case.
it's still really weird.
he'd moved them all in together a few weeks before they'd left- but everything was so chaotic, he rarely found himself stumbling into someone else. between pulling shifts for the watch, training, and running missions alone, for the number of people who had been bound up together, the house was always pretty quiet. there are moments however, that he still expects to walk in the front door and find itachi in the kitchen. blindly preparing a pot of tea, and pouring a cup for naruto himself. the memory tightens something in the bottom of his stomach.
you're my partner'attebayo. that makes us equals.
only here.
naruto draws up short in the space between their bedrooms. ]
Sasuke.
[ he knew it was coming. Naruto is never quiet for long, and the sessions that he is spell trouble. their relationship had been tenuous at best for the longest time, but Sasuke was learning. relearning. in becoming what he had, doing what he did, he'd been forced to shut out the slivers of his humanity. they say a shinobi should be willing to kill innocents should it come down to it.
Sasuke pauses, his bare foot scuffs the carpet. a heartbeat passes between them before he turns, his eyes a dark slash under the hood of his lashes.
here in the hall, only the dimmest of the moonlight filters through from the huge windows in the living room. he can't tell what Naruto's expression is, the other nin's back to the glass. ]
Sasuke pauses, his bare foot scuffs the carpet. a heartbeat passes between them before he turns, his eyes a dark slash under the hood of his lashes.
here in the hall, only the dimmest of the moonlight filters through from the huge windows in the living room. he can't tell what Naruto's expression is, the other nin's back to the glass. ]
[ sasuke doesn't answer, and naruto doesn't add anything else to the air. inches in front of his feet, his bedroom door is closed- it's a barrier he feels but doesn't look up to see. there's a name for this feeling, and it's one he'd tried to decipher all day.
and yet here and now, blanketed in the hours before sunrise, he thinks he finally remembers what it is.
in the span of heartbeats that follow, naruto's hand extends between them- palm turned half up. open, but not grasping. a dozen fears and reassurances hang above them, unsaid. we can still do this, can't we? we didn't change again, we can resonate.
i'll still let you see inside my heart. ]
and yet here and now, blanketed in the hours before sunrise, he thinks he finally remembers what it is.
in the span of heartbeats that follow, naruto's hand extends between them- palm turned half up. open, but not grasping. a dozen fears and reassurances hang above them, unsaid. we can still do this, can't we? we didn't change again, we can resonate.
i'll still let you see inside my heart. ]
[ there is familiarity in this. Naruto doesn't say a word, but his meaning is clear as day. Sasuke's gaze falls from the pale cut out of the other nin's face and falls to the upturn of his hand.
the air between them is charged. Sasuke isn't sure where it comes from. it has been months for everyone else, but barely days for the two of them. there's no reason this should be any different— but the truth is, Sasuke hasn't even checked to be sure he's still a weapon. (how could he be anything else?)
Naruto is asking for his trust.
Sasuke gave it to him the day he decided to fight him again.
shadowed by the dark of the hall behind him, Sasuke's eyes seem even darker when they meet Naruto's again. there is no hesitation in him when he takes a half step forward, wraps his fingers around Naruto's wrist and wills his body to collapse in on itself. ]
the air between them is charged. Sasuke isn't sure where it comes from. it has been months for everyone else, but barely days for the two of them. there's no reason this should be any different— but the truth is, Sasuke hasn't even checked to be sure he's still a weapon. (how could he be anything else?)
Naruto is asking for his trust.
Sasuke gave it to him the day he decided to fight him again.
shadowed by the dark of the hall behind him, Sasuke's eyes seem even darker when they meet Naruto's again. there is no hesitation in him when he takes a half step forward, wraps his fingers around Naruto's wrist and wills his body to collapse in on itself. ]
[ they've never been much for words, and that's exactly why he isn't waiting for a reply. they talk with their bodies- and when sasuke reaches out for him in return, there are no cool fingertips that touch the center of his palm.
it's fabric.
soft and warm and alive, gathered at the narrow angles of his knuckles.
naruto's breath seems to fold in on itself. sasuke is still there, only partially transformed, and he is looking back a him. blue eyes meet his gaze and he can feel it. the hum of electricity. the warmth of a fire. a swallow of air.
and it feels like relief.
it feels like coming back to konoha. ]
it's fabric.
soft and warm and alive, gathered at the narrow angles of his knuckles.
naruto's breath seems to fold in on itself. sasuke is still there, only partially transformed, and he is looking back a him. blue eyes meet his gaze and he can feel it. the hum of electricity. the warmth of a fire. a swallow of air.
and it feels like relief.
it feels like coming back to konoha. ]
[ it isn't until the whole of his body has gone the way of the fabric that Sasuke really feels it. somewhere between watching blue eyes watch him and feeling the world drop out form beneath him, the folding in of the fabric opens him up. mobile, the fabric of the blindfold curls up like a snake, and he winds himself around Naruto's forearm like a python.
heat pushes up his spine, down into his stomach. though he has none like this, the ozone of electricity sparks along the back of his tongue. Naruto's relief swells over him like one huge, warm wave—
everything else comes afterward.
the tremble from Sasuke's soul, something that isn't uncertainty but his own doubt. the damage that came with him from Orochimaru and had made resonation almost impossible for him when he'd first returned. it's so much smaller now than it used to be, that Sasuke can't (doesn't bother) containing his surprise through the connection.
the jagged edges of the witch in Naruto— but Sasuke knew it was there, and he doesn't shy away from it. ]
heat pushes up his spine, down into his stomach. though he has none like this, the ozone of electricity sparks along the back of his tongue. Naruto's relief swells over him like one huge, warm wave—
everything else comes afterward.
the tremble from Sasuke's soul, something that isn't uncertainty but his own doubt. the damage that came with him from Orochimaru and had made resonation almost impossible for him when he'd first returned. it's so much smaller now than it used to be, that Sasuke can't (doesn't bother) containing his surprise through the connection.
the jagged edges of the witch in Naruto— but Sasuke knew it was there, and he doesn't shy away from it. ]
[ naruto's eyes stay open, fixed on the door to his room, but he doesn't see it. he doesn't really see anything once sasuke falls into him. every time they've done this- it's been for a mission. they connect in the heat of the moment because there's no other option. because they've been reading each others' intentions since they were children, coming into their own.
but this is different.
there's no fight clawing at them. no kishin to face down or city to protect. this is resonance because it's there, and because they can and because they want to. there's a warmth that moves from the coiled fabric on his arm and into the rest of his body. naruto's eyes slide shut when he feels it reach his spine- the single column that has always felt like ice. like steel. like it wasn't really his own anymore.
and then, one notch at a time, even that unnatural cold begins to fade.
naruto opens the door to his room and steps inside before he thinks of doing it. as if their resonance alone was the single necessary factor. ]
but this is different.
there's no fight clawing at them. no kishin to face down or city to protect. this is resonance because it's there, and because they can and because they want to. there's a warmth that moves from the coiled fabric on his arm and into the rest of his body. naruto's eyes slide shut when he feels it reach his spine- the single column that has always felt like ice. like steel. like it wasn't really his own anymore.
and then, one notch at a time, even that unnatural cold begins to fade.
naruto opens the door to his room and steps inside before he thinks of doing it. as if their resonance alone was the single necessary factor. ]
[ he's exhausted. Sasuke can feel it like an extension of himself. it shouldn't be so natural, to lean into it (he can remember a jutsu; two taller than tall trees). he'd fought so hard to cut this bond in half, once. you haven't slept, he doesn't say, doesn't need to. Sasuke knows he has trouble with it, ever since he came back from the witches. partnered with Saralegui, he'd never had to witness it fully until they'd all started moving in with one another.
(the ache hits him, slow, i miss him.) ]
You should get some rest.
[ he hasn't shifted back. ]
(the ache hits him, slow, i miss him.) ]
You should get some rest.
[ he hasn't shifted back. ]
Edited 2014-02-06 07:24 (UTC)
[ it's strange how much he doesn't need to say- for a guy so used to talking. naruto has always been noisy, a fearless flashbang instead of the stealth code a shinobi was meant to adapt to. but he doesn't have to here. not when they're together this way. naruto feels himself move towards the thought of saralegui. of itachi. of everything and everyone in death city they both ache to protect, but it isn't enough. because it starts small, a single drop of water, and starts to become a drumming, promises to turn a flood- one that would swallow them both.
he thinks of jiraiya (it is dangerously close to the edge, this feeling and the one he'd known when he heard the truth) but instead of bowing to the fear, pain, and need-
naruto remembers his smile.
the room floods with moonlight when he pulls the curtain aside- and it washes over them both. naruto lowers himself to the ground in it, settles cross-legged before the window, and spares only a moment for their reflection. we're here. right now, we're here. and that single thread is enough. it'll keep them tethered. naruto brings his hands together in his lap, bare fingers laced with those that are covered in fabric (in sasuke) and he exhales slow.
inhales.
exhales.
naruto begins to meditate there, and allows the the ache to fade. to acknowledge it, and be at peace- for them both. he doesn't remember falling asleep, but finally, he does. ]
he thinks of jiraiya (it is dangerously close to the edge, this feeling and the one he'd known when he heard the truth) but instead of bowing to the fear, pain, and need-
naruto remembers his smile.
the room floods with moonlight when he pulls the curtain aside- and it washes over them both. naruto lowers himself to the ground in it, settles cross-legged before the window, and spares only a moment for their reflection. we're here. right now, we're here. and that single thread is enough. it'll keep them tethered. naruto brings his hands together in his lap, bare fingers laced with those that are covered in fabric (in sasuke) and he exhales slow.
inhales.
exhales.
naruto begins to meditate there, and allows the the ache to fade. to acknowledge it, and be at peace- for them both. he doesn't remember falling asleep, but finally, he does. ]
[ he sees what Naruto sees (an overlaying of their eyes, even though he's wound around his wrist, up to his elbow) and it should be jarring, but for the solid weight that settles somewhere in Sasuke's stomach.
a grounding force.
it isn't resting, per se, but meditation can do wonders for a person. it's something they learn as children, something Naruto has been taught to perfect (with a chakra like that, Sasuke isn't surprised). Naruto settles in and Sasuke feels himself held, charged and focused.
inhales.
exhales.
the sun is well up when Sasuke opens his eyes to the window of a room not his own. Naruto is a warm presence against his cheek, a furnace against the cool of Sasuke's skin. when he blinks, it's against the desert light tracing patterns against the windowsill.
Naruto's heart beats against his ear.
when the other nin eventually wakes, Sasuke is gone from his room. ]
a grounding force.
it isn't resting, per se, but meditation can do wonders for a person. it's something they learn as children, something Naruto has been taught to perfect (with a chakra like that, Sasuke isn't surprised). Naruto settles in and Sasuke feels himself held, charged and focused.
inhales.
exhales.
the sun is well up when Sasuke opens his eyes to the window of a room not his own. Naruto is a warm presence against his cheek, a furnace against the cool of Sasuke's skin. when he blinks, it's against the desert light tracing patterns against the windowsill.
Naruto's heart beats against his ear.
when the other nin eventually wakes, Sasuke is gone from his room. ]
[ It's still oddly jarring to see him like that; the way he did before. It feels like years now. Decades. Entire galaxies away from where they stand now. He's a different person here, the way he's different in those clothes and different from where she left him at home.
The thought of what she left behind turns her stomach and Sakura opts to not think of it often (ever).
She's already outside, back to a wall, leaned there with relaxed shoulders. Morning run over and changed back into proper clothes, she's far too excited about the prospect of breakfast.
When Sasuke comes out, her smile brightens as she pushes away from the wall, walks to meet him. ]
I'm sorry if I woke you.
The thought of what she left behind turns her stomach and Sakura opts to not think of it often (ever).
She's already outside, back to a wall, leaned there with relaxed shoulders. Morning run over and changed back into proper clothes, she's far too excited about the prospect of breakfast.
When Sasuke comes out, her smile brightens as she pushes away from the wall, walks to meet him. ]
I'm sorry if I woke you.
Don't worry about it.
[ he's operated on fewer hours, did so pretty often back when he'd opted to join forces with that damn snake. but, like Sakura, he chooses not to think on that when he doesn't have to. he pushes a hand through his unruly hair, there's still a crease on his cheek from his pillow, but the truth is he could have ignored her message if he didn't want to go.
he doesn't tend to do anything he doesn't want to do. ]
[ he's operated on fewer hours, did so pretty often back when he'd opted to join forces with that damn snake. but, like Sakura, he chooses not to think on that when he doesn't have to. he pushes a hand through his unruly hair, there's still a crease on his cheek from his pillow, but the truth is he could have ignored her message if he didn't want to go.
he doesn't tend to do anything he doesn't want to do. ]
[ Sakura sends off a quick message to Naruto to tell him to meet them outside or they'll leave without him. Hopefully that will make him move a it faster!
Putting away the communication device, she tucks her hands behind her back, fingers laced together. She's in a rather good mood. ]
Ready to go?
Putting away the communication device, she tucks her hands behind her back, fingers laced together. She's in a rather good mood. ]
Ready to go?
[ he notices; it's impossible not to. although, to be fair, he still some days feels like he's learning his way around Sakura. Naruto, he'd had months upon months to relearn.
they'd fallen into their sleep, when he'd been trying to do it with Sakura. ]
Lets go.
they'd fallen into their sleep, when he'd been trying to do it with Sakura. ]
Lets go.
[ he lets her lead because he has no idea where they're going, but he seems casual about it either way. he makes no argument as to which street they turn down, and his gaze only lingers briefly on Deathbucks.
he'd never really adjusted to the way people live here. he still preferred tea over coffee. ]
he'd never really adjusted to the way people live here. he still preferred tea over coffee. ]
[ Sakura still finds some things in Death City to be incredibly strange. others, though, provide at least a slight sense of normalcy.
hence leading Sasuke to Oodle Noodle. because if nothing else, there is always ramen with team mates, right? ]
Feeling oddly nostalgic this morning. I hope you don't mind.
hence leading Sasuke to Oodle Noodle. because if nothing else, there is always ramen with team mates, right? ]
Feeling oddly nostalgic this morning. I hope you don't mind.
SAKURA-CHAN
SASUKE
[ the bellows come from the back of the restaurant and honestly, the place isn't big enough to warrant that kind of shouting. or the dramatic waving of both hands over his head- since he's standing at a table directly in their line of sight.
at least he's ordered them tea. ]
OVER HERE OVER HERE!!
SASUKE
[ the bellows come from the back of the restaurant and honestly, the place isn't big enough to warrant that kind of shouting. or the dramatic waving of both hands over his head- since he's standing at a table directly in their line of sight.
at least he's ordered them tea. ]
OVER HERE OVER HERE!!
[ the
longest
sigh.
his chest lifts with it, and his eyes close, but with clear resignation he makes his way to the table.
once he gets there, he lays his palm on Naruto's shoulder and shoves him back into his seat. ]
Don't be such a nuisance, usuratonkachi.
longest
sigh.
his chest lifts with it, and his eyes close, but with clear resignation he makes his way to the table.
once he gets there, he lays his palm on Naruto's shoulder and shoves him back into his seat. ]
Don't be such a nuisance, usuratonkachi.
[ the chair rocks back on it's hind legs under the combined force of sasuke shoving him backwards, and naruto's innate lack of coordination and grace. the tea cups wobble, but don't spill. ]
Hey hey, you're the ones showing up late'ttebayo. That makes you the nuisance.
Hey hey, you're the ones showing up late'ttebayo. That makes you the nuisance.
[ Sakura sits down across the table from Naruto, once she's sure that the tea isn't about to spill everywhere. Admittedly, she can't really help the smile that creeps across her face when Sasuke calls him that; makes her feel nostalgic. ]
I think you were just too excited about coming for breakfast.
I think you were just too excited about coming for breakfast.
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