Chapter Text
“Yeah, I know… so sad they broke up. They were such a cute couple,” the girl said, scrolling through her phone while chatting with her friend.
“Right? Everything seemed perfectly fine. I heard he’s the one who ended things,” her friend replied, shaking her head in disbelief. “Two iced coffees, please.”
Sasuke started preparing their order, barely registering their conversation. University students talked about this kind of thing all the time, and he couldn’t care less. He placed the drinks on the counter as the two girls began arguing over who should pay. In the end, they both paid for their own after noticing the growing line behind them.
“Man, I swear those two never mind their own damn business. Can people just live in peace?” Kiba groaned, leaning against the wall, clearly exhausted. Sasuke didn’t respond. He continued preparing the next orders without even glancing at him.
Kiba watched him for a moment, then snorted, “When are you coming back to university, dude? Why do you only show up during exam season? And how the fuck do you still manage to rank top when you never attend lectures?” Kiba slung an arm around Sasuke’s shoulder.
“You’re a genius.”
Sasuke shot him a sharp glare.
“Oh, right- sorry. You hate physical contact,” Kiba said with a quick laugh, pulling his arm back. “Still out here passing physics with full marks.”
Sasuke rolled his eyes, already removing his apron and setting it aside. “I’m done. Your shift starts now,” he said flatly, checking the time on his phone before heading out of the café and making his way toward his apartment. The faint smell of coffee still clinging to his clothes, and slipped his phone into his pocket. The street wasn’t really crowded, a few people passing by, some laughing, others too busy with their own lives to notice anything around them.
A loud crash echoed somewhere down the street. Probably nothing. People were careless. Things broke. Life moved on, A small crowd had started to gather near the corner, voices overlapping confused, curious, excited.
Sasuke kept walking, unfazed as usual. He simply couldn’t care less.
The apartment building where he lived wasn’t… ideal. The area had a terrible reputation arguments, fights, voices raised at odd hours, most of it revolving around drugs and dealing. It was the kind of place people avoided if they had a choice. Sasuke didn’t. It was cheap. That was enough. And he was still a student, so for now, it worked. He walked the stairs, the dim hallway lights flickering faintly, then unlocked his door. The moment he stepped inside, his black cat came running, brushing her head against his Converse. He reached down, patting her head absentmindedly before heading to the kitchen.
Unlike the rest of the building and the street outside Sasuke’s apartment was clean, orderly and cozy.
He poured some dry food into his cat’s bowl, watching her settle down before heading toward the bathroom. A quick shower, maybe a few pages of a book, then sleep. That was the plan.
A sharp knock cut through the apartment.
Sasuke froze. He didn’t move. Living in this area meant one thing - you don’t open the door late at night. Ever, but the knocking came again, louder each hit made the door tremble against its hinges, the sound echoing through the small apartment like a warning. Sasuke exhaled slowly, his gaze shifting toward the door. He reached for his phone, already considering calling 911,
The door burst open with a violent crack, wood splintered. The lock gave in instantly.
A man stepped inside. Huge. Broad shouldered, towering enough to fill the doorway, his presence swallowing the space around him. His head was shaved clean, tattoos crawling up his neck and disappearing beneath the collar of his shirt, thick lines inked across his arms like they meant something violent. His expression was twisted with irritation, eyes sharp and already locked onto Sasuke. Sasuke was in the kitchen. The knife was the closest thing within reach. He grabbed it, holding it low, hidden behind his back.
“You owe me money, kid.”
His voice was deep loud, annoyingly rough, laced with an unfamiliar accent that only made it more unsettling. Each step he took was heavy.
But still, Sasuke didn’t move.
“I don’t do drugs. Wrong person. Get out,” he said, his tone steady, controlled calm for the situation, but panic wouldn’t help him now. The man didn’t stop. If anything, he moved faster. Now he was close.
Sasuke’s grip tightened around the knife.
Shit.
He keeps his face perfectly blank, the knife pressed flat against the wall behind his back, not giving away a single flicker of emotion. The man's heavy boots thud across the floor, closing the distance between them slowly. "You've got the wrong apartment. I don't deal, I don't owe anyone money. You broke down my door for nothing. If you leave now, I won't call the cops."
The man snorts, squinting at Sasuke's face before glancing around the apartment. He licks his lips, cracking his knuckles loud. "Wrong my ass. The dealer down the hall said this was the drop spot. Don't play dumb with me, kid." He keeps moving closer, hand reaching toward his waistband. Sasuke doesn't flinch, still holding the knife steady behind his back, his dark eyes tracking the man's every movement. The smell of cheap beer and cigarette smoke rolls off him as he stops just a foot away, jabbing a thick finger at Sasuke's chest.
His grip on the knife handle tightens harder, his knuckles burning, as he tilts his chin up to meet the man's glare. The air in the tiny apartment feels thick, heavy enough to choke on. "I told you, this isn't the right place. If you try to put your hands on me, you'll regret it." He shifts his weight, ready to strike the second the man makes a move.
The man laughs rough and loud, shoving Sasuke hard in the shoulder with enough force to send him stumbling back into the counter. The knife clatters against the linoleum as Sasuke hits the edge of the table, his breath huffing out. "Think you're tough, huh? I'll show you tough." He reaches out to grab Sasuke by the collar of his flannel.
Then the window slams open before the man can close his grip, a red-blurred figure launching through the glass. A glowing fist connects hard with the man's jaw, sending him crashing into the rickety bookshelf. Books cascade down over his unconscious body.
"Looks like you had this handled, but figured I'd step in anyway."
Sasuke tilts his head, eyes narrowing at the red and blue suit hugging the stranger’s frame, the web-like patterns catching the light, one eyebrow arching up in dry amusement. He kicks the unconscious man's leg aside with his toe. "Alright, who are you supposed to be? Some cosplayer that got lost on the way to a con? And what's with the goofy mask?"
The masked man laughs, the sound bright and warm through the fabric, and scratches the back of his head sheepishly. He gestures to the unconscious man slumped against Sasuke's clean bookshelf. "Name's Spidey-er, just Spider Man. And for the record, this costume's way cooler than any con cosplay. I was chasing this guy's boss down the fire escape, figured I'd stop in."
Sasuke snorts, crossing his arms over his chest as he leans back against his clean kitchen counter. He nods at the unconscious man tied now to his leg of the bookshelf with Spider Man's own webbing. "Fancy webbing. Still doesn't explain why you crashed through my window instead of taking the stairs like a normal person. You that in a hurry to play hero?"
Spider Man shrugs, the bright smile audible in his voice even through the mask. He slides the fabric up just enough to expose his grinning pink mouth, popping one of your leftover takeout dumplings in. He gestures toward the webbed-up thug. "Stairs are boring, and this guy's boss is a real creep running drugs through here. Gotta move fast, y'know?"
Sasuke's gaze flickers unconsciously to that pink, grinning mouth for a beat too long before he snaps it back up to the eye holes of the mask, crossing his arms tighter to hide the slight shift in his posture. "Real professional. Breaking down my window, eating my food. You heroes really have no manners, do you?" He huffs, but there's no real heat in his tone.
The masked man chuckles, wiping crumbs from his exposed chin with the back of a gloved hand. He shoves the last half of the dumpling into his mouth and pulls the mask back down. "C'mon, I saved you from a broken jaw and a stolen cash you didn't even have. Can't I get a snack as a reward? God i've been swinging all over the city."
Sasuke rolls his eyes, but reaches into the takeout container and pushes the rest of the dumplings toward the hero, leaning against the counter with his arms still crossed. "Fine. Take the whole container. Just don't leave webbing all over my clean floor when you're done. I already have enough to fix from that idiot."
Spider Man whoops quietly, already digging into the dumplings, the fabric of his mask crinkling as he grins. He gestures with a half-eaten dumpling toward the webbed thug. "I'll get the NYPD to pay for your broken door. Promise I'll leave your nice clean place spotless." He slings the unconscious man over one broad shoulder, giving Sasuke a little two-fingered wave from the windowsill. The city lights glint off his masked face as he backs out onto the fire escape. "I'll swing back tomorrow with cash for that door, promise. Thanks for the snack, Sasuke! I'll see you around."
Sasuke freezes mid-step toward the broken door, his eyes narrowing sharply as the hero disappears into the night.
How the hell did he know my name?
He walks to the window, leaning out to watch the red-blue blur swing between buildings, a faint frown tugging at his mouth.
Sasuke pushes through the heavy glass doors of the university building, the low hum of students and quiet chatter brushing past him as he steps inside. He doesn’t bother looking around much, heading straight for the library to return a book he barely needed in the first place. After handing it over, he picks up another from the hold shelf, flipping it open briefly as he walks further in.
He pauses when he recognizes Naruto’s bright blond hair hard to miss, especially since he’s usually loud in group discussions and somehow good at getting people to actually participate. They’ve crossed paths a few times around campus, and once, on one of the rare days when Sasuke bothered to attend this semester they've sat side by side a few times when the room was packed.
Blond hair falls in his face, and he's scribbling over a problem so hard the paper's tearing. Sasuke hesitates a second, Naruto hunched over a crumpled physics worksheet at a back table, then Sasuke steps over, fingers tapping the tabletop lightly.
"That problem set's garbage. The professor always messes up the numbers on the third question."
Naruto looks up, eyes wide, then slumps back in his chair, groaning. "Thank god you're here. You know this stuff, right? Please help me. I'm this close to dropping the whole class."
Sasuke pulls out the empty chair across from Naruto, flipping the crumpled worksheet around to face him and leaning back in the seat. He taps the messy scribbles with one sharp-nailed finger, dark eyes lifting to meet Naruto’s blue ones. "You messed up the force equation right at the start. No wonder you’re not getting the right answer. Sit up, I’ll walk you through it."
Naruto scrambles to sit up straight, knocking his pencil off the table in his hurry, and leans in so close their shoulders bump. His cheeks are pink from focusing, and he pushes a stray lock of blond hair out of his bright blue eyes. "Okay, okay, show me. I swear I've been staring at this stupid equation for twenty minutes and I still don't get where I went wrong."
Sasuke leans closer, his forearm brushing Naruto’s as he points to the miswritten formula on the page, the smell of Naruto’s citrus shampoo wrapping around him. He draws the correct equation out in the margin with a pencil. "See? You swapped the mass and acceleration variables. That’s why all your final numbers are coming out wrong. Try plugging them in now."
Naruto’s eyes light up when he plugs in the new numbers, and he whoaps quietly so he doesn’t get shushed by the librarian, grinning so wide his cheeks crinkle. He turns the paper back to you, bouncing his leg under the table. "I got it! I actually got the right answer! Dude, you’re a genius. I could never have figured that out on my own."
Sasuke’s lip tugs up into a faint, rare smile. He leans back in his chair, crossing his arms over his chest, and nods toward the half-completed problems still left on the sheet. "Told you it was just a stupid mistake. Keep going, the next ones follow the same rule. I’ll stay here until I get my new book, so I can check your work when you’re done."
Naruto's cheeks flush pink as he tucks his pencil behind his ear, leaning across the table toward you with hopeful, bright blue eyes. He fidgets with the edge of the worksheet, not looking away.
"Since you're already helping me... would you wanna keep going at my apartment after this? It's way comfier than these hard chairs, and I have ice cream."
Sasuke raises a dark eyebrow, his gaze flicking over the pink flush on Naruto's cheeks before he taps his pencil once on the table. He folds his arms over his chest, the corner of his mouth tugging up in a faint, amused smirk. "Ice cream, huh? Fine. I don't have anything else planned today anyway."
He grins so wide his eyes crinkle, shoving his worksheet and notebook haphazardly into his backpack. He slings the bag over one shoulder, already bouncing on his heels toward the library exit. "Great! It's just a ten minute walk from here, and the mint chocolate chip I bought is still in my freezer. I promise it's the good kind, not the cheap grocery store stuff."
Sasuke stands up, tucking his newly picked library book under his arm, and follows Naruto toward the exit, the faint smirk still on his lips. He holds the library door open for the blond, the autumn wind tangling the ends of his black hair as they step outside.
"Lead the way, then. But if your ice cream isn't actually good, I'm leaving you to the bad problems."
Naruto laughs loudly, stepping down the sidewalk and gesturing wildly as he rambles about how his roommate is out visiting family for the weekend, so the apartment's all theirs. He shoves his hands into his hoodie pockets, glancing back over his shoulder with that bright grin.
"It's actually really nice, you'll see. I even bought a new whiteboard last week just for studying. I knew this would pay off eventually."
Sasuke’s dark eyes flicker with quiet surprise that Naruto bought a whiteboard just for studying, "So you’re planning to drag me into being your full-time tutor then? That’s more than I signed up for today."
The tips of his ears turning faintly pink under the golden sunlight. He glances over bright blue eyes crinkling.
"You’re the only person who can get me through this stupid physics exam Sasuke, believe it."
”Hn”
They walked upstairs to the third floor, Naruto fumbling in his jeans pocket for the apartment key before unlocking the door and holding it open for Sasuke he steps inside, dropping his backpack by the entryway. "Here we are. Make yourself comfortable. I’ll go get that mint chocolate chip ice cream I promised you."
Sasuke steps inside, glancing around the cozy, slightly messy living room, he sets his library book down on the couch then turns toward Naruto, hands tucked into his jeans pockets, a faint smile on his lips.
"I’ll set up the problem sheets on the dining table while you get it."
Naruto pulls the mint chocolate chip from the freezer, grabs two spoons, and sets it down on the dining table between their half-done problem sheets. He grins, pushing one spoon toward Sasuke, the tip of his nose pink from the cold freezer air.
"Got it. Still cold enough to eat. Dig in, we can take a five minute break before we keep going."
Sasuke takes the offered spoon, digging into the ice cream that melts sweet on his tongue, and leans back in his chair to watch Naruto ramble about his upcoming parkour practice. Hours slip by easily, pencils scratching across paper.
-
As the sky outside turns pitch black.
Sasuke glances up at the wall clock, the glowing red numbers reading one in the morning, and sets his pencil down with a quiet sigh. He runs a hand through his messy black hair, already shifting to stand up from the table.
"It's way too late. I didn't track the time, I'll just walk home. It's only a few miles from here anyway." Said Sasuke.
Naruto's fingers twist nervously around his pencil, hesitating before he leans forward, blue eyes wide and earnest. He quickly shakes his head when Sasuke mentions walking. "It's pouring rain outside, you'll catch a cold. Just stay, and i don’t have an extra umbrella anyway but i have extra blankets. There's the couch, or... you can take the bed, I'll sleep on the couch."
Sasuke glances out the fogged window at the sheets of pouring rain, jaw tightening as he weighs the options. He crosses his arms over his chest, still shaking his head slightly.
"I don't want to intrude on your space. I can handle the rain just fine."
Naruto stands up quickly, stepping closer to Sasuke and leaning against the kitchen counter to block his path to the door. His cheeks are faintly pink, but his blue eyes are steady and determined.
"C'mon, you're not going out in that storm. I've been wanting you to stay over anyway. Just... give it a chance, okay?"
Dark eyes flicker between Naruto’s determined face and the lashing rain hitting the window, his shoulders finally relaxing in a quiet surrender. He lets out a soft huff, shoving his hands into the pockets of his black jeans.
"Fine. If you insist. I'll take the couch, don't argue with me about it."
Naruto grins widely, relieved that Sasuke gave in, and claps his hand lightly on his shoulder before turning to grab clean blankets from the hall closet. He tosses one folded blanket toward Sasuke, still grinning.
"Alright, couch it is. I'll get you a spare pillow too.”
Sasuke catches the tossed blanket one-handed, his eyes following Naruto’s broad back as he rummages through the closet. The sound of rain patters hard against the window, and the air smells like mint ice cream and Naruto’s citrus shampoo.
"Thanks. I didn’t expect this whole evening to turn into a sleepover, honestly."
Then Naruto turns around from the closet, cheeks faintly pink as he leans the stack of pillows against the doorframe, smiling softly at Sasuke. The warm lamplight gilds the edges of his blond hair.
"I'm glad it did. It's... nicer, having you here with me instead of just studying alone."
Sasuke just nods, the corner of his mouth tugging up a tiny, barely noticeable bit as he folds the blanket over his arm to carry it to the couch. He adjusts the strap of his backpack that's leaning against the table, one dark eyebrow lifting slightly.
"Hn. I still say I could have walked home, but... thanks for letting me stay."
—
Rain still taps softly against the living room window,
Sasuke lying still awake staring at the dark ceiling, his mind too tangled to drift off.
He hears soft bare feet padding over, then feels the couch dip as Naruto quietly sits down beside his shoulder, the warm scent wrapping around him.
Sasuke doesn't turn his head, but his breathing stills when the couch dips, the warm weight of Naruto's thigh pressing just inches from his shoulder. He can feel the blond's quiet gaze on his profile, the air growing thick with unspoken words neither of them knows how to say.
"You really couldn't sleep either, huh?"
“Hn.”
Sasuke pushes himself up to sit straight, the blanket slipping down off his shoulders to pool around his hips. He turns his head to look at Naruto, his dark eyes glinting faintly in the faint moonlight leaking through the window. His voice comes out low and quiet, rough with the quiet tension between them.
"What's on your mind, Naruto? You can just say it."
Naruto's fingers twist nervously in the hem of his shirt, his blue eyes glowing faintly in the moonlight as he leans in slightly closer. His breathing is shallow, and he can't seem to look away from Sasuke's mouth, he drops his gaze to the frayed edge of the couch cushion, his fingers picking nervously at a loose thread. His voice is quiet, thick with self-reproach that he’s never shared out loud before.
"I feel horrible, y’know? Breaking up with her. I led her on for so long, all because I was too scared to admit that…” he hesitates.
“That i liked guys… fuck i was too scared to admit who I really am. I kept stringing her along even when I knew I didn't love her that way."
Sasuke listens quietly, then reaches out to rest his hand gently on Naruto's shoulder, squeezing softly to ground him. His voice is steady, no judgment, just quiet understanding that wraps around the blond.
"You didn't string her along to be cruel. You were scared. It's okay to be scared. Ending it now is kinder than dragging it out longer, don't you think?"
He keeps his hand light on Naruto's shoulder, feeling the ease under his touch. He shifts closer on the lumpy couch, the faint moonlight catching the glisten of unshed tears in Naruto's blue eyes. He speaks again, softer this time.
"You don't have to carry all that guilt alone, you know… I'm here."
Naruto twists the loose couch thread between his fingers, voice getting quieter the more he talks, shoulders hunched like he expects to be judged. He swallows hard before lifting his eyes to meet Sasuke's dark gaze, cheeks flushed.
"I always knew, deep down. I just kept trying to force myself to fit what everyone expected of me, y'know?"
Sasuke nods slowly, keeping his dark eyes soft and steady on Naruto, his hand still resting warm on the blond’s shoulder. He squeezes gently, letting his thumb brush slow over the soft cotton of Naruto’s shirt.
"I get that. Everyone around you expects you to be someone you’re not. It’s exhausting trying to fit into that mold every single day."
Naruto lets out a shaky breath, leaning into Sasuke’s warm touch without even thinking about it, his shoulders finally relaxing after holding tension for so long. He blinks back the wetness in his eyes, a wobbly small smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.
"You actually get it. I never thought anyone would just... get it, not without making a big deal out of it."
Sasuke’s heart softens at the wobbly smile on Naruto’s face, his hand sliding up from the blond’s shoulder to brush a stray strand of messy blond hair off his forehead. His voice is low and steady, no room for doubt.
"Of course I get it. I've had to hide parts of myself too, for years. I know what it's like to walk around feeling like you're always faking something."
Naruto leans in closer, his warm breath fanning lightly over Sasuke's jaw, the faint salt of leftover tears still on his skin. His blue eyes shine bright in the moonlight, no more hiding left behind the shaky smile.
"What... what parts of you have you been hiding? Can you tell me?"
Sasuke’s breath catches, his dark eyes holding steady on Naruto’s bright blue ones as he lets his hand linger on the side of the blond’s warm cheek. His thumb brushes lightly over the curve of it, voice dropping to a low, intimate murmur.
"I’ve been hiding that—“
"Do you... do you like guys, too? Or am I reading this all wrong?"
Naruto’s breath catches, his blue eyes widening slightly as he processes the words, a faint flush spreading up his neck to his cheeks. He leans in even closer, his hand coming to rest over the one Sasuke still holds against his face.
Sasuke’s dark eyes hold Naruto’s shy, curious gaze for a long moment, his thumb brushing slow, soft circles over the warm skin of Naruto’s knuckle. He lets out a quiet, shaky huff of breath, his mouth tugging into a faint half-smile.
"I don’t know for sure, honestly. All I know is that I only felt this pull… for you."
Naruto’s face lights up, a bright, relieved smile spreading across his lips as he squeezes Sasuke’s wrist hard, and he leans in even closer, until their foreheads are almost touching. His breath comes out warm and shaky against Sasuke’s mouth.
"That’s... that’s all I needed to hear. That’s more than enough for me."
He bites his own lip, his blue eyes darting shyly between Sasuke's mouth and his intense dark gaze. He swallows hard, his heart pounding in his chest so loud he's sure Sasuke can hear it.
"S-Sasuke…"
His voice is barely a whisper, trembling slightly with nerves and hope.
"Can I..."
He has to pause and take a steadying breath, his courage barely holding on, his fingers trembling where they rest against Sasuke’s warm cheek.
"Can I...can I kiss you?"
The question hangs in the heavy air, his blue eyes wide and vulnerable, searching Sasuke's face for permission, his heart hammering a frantic rhythm against his ribs.
Sasuke's dark eyes soften instantly at the sight of Naruto's trembling fingers against his cheek, his heart skipping a beat at the shy, vulnerable expression in those bright blue eyes. Without hesitation, he leans in cloer, his own lips brushing softly against Naruto's.
The moment their lips touch, Naruto's eyes flutter closed, a soft gasp escaping his lips as he melts into the gentle kiss. His hands slide up to cup Sasuke's face, holding him close as he returns the kiss with shy, tentative presses of his lips. Sasuke melts into Naruto's touch, his fingers curling into the soft fabric of Naruto's shirt. He lets Naruto set the pace, surrendering to the gentle, unsure kisses.
After a long moment, Naruto pulls back just slightly, his breath warm against Sasuke's lips cheeks are flushed a deep pink, his blue eyes shining with a mix of embarrassment and desire as he peers up at Sasuke through his lashes. He swallows hard, his voice barely above a whisper.
"C-Can I... can I do more?"
Sasuke's heart races at Naruto's shy request, his fingers tightening gently in the fabric of Naruto's shirt. He nods slowly, encouraging the blond without words. His own lips part softly, inviting Naruto to deepen the kiss if he wants to.
Emboldened by Sasuke's silent permission, Naruto leans in again, this time pressing his tongue gently against Sasuke's bottom lip. He hesitates for a moment, seeking permission, before slowly sliding his tongue into Sasuke's mouth when Sasuke parts his lips.
Sasuke makes a soft sound of approval as Naruto's tongue explores his mouth, his own hands moving to Naruto's waist, pulling him closer against his chest. Naruto tastes sweet and warm, and Sasuke melts into it, letting Naruto take the lead.
"Mmmm"
Despite his nerves, Naruto takes this as an invitation to deepen the kiss further. Kiss becomes more confident as Sasuke responds eagerly. He tangles his fingers in Sasuke's hair, holding him close as their tongues dance together. The room fills with soft sounds of kissing and gentle moans from both boys.
The kiss grows heated, Naruto's hands roaming over Sasuke's chest and back as he presses himself closer. Sasuke's arms wrap around Naruto tightly, holding him up against his chest.
Naruto, emboldened by his initial kiss, deepens it slowly but firmly. He cups his cheeks gently yet dominantly. He breaks the kiss briefly to nip at Sasuke's lower lip before sucking on it softly.
With a soft moan, Sasuke parts his lips further, allowing Naruto to slide his tongue inside once more. This time, the kiss is slower, more deliberate. Naruto's tongue explores every inch of Sasuke's mouth, tangling with his tongue in a sensual dance.
Sasuke finds himself completely lost in Naruto's skilled lips and tongue. Naruto kisses him like he was born to do it - every movement is confident and perfect. Sasuke can't help but moan softly into the kiss, his fingers digging into Naruto's hips.
Naruto gently pushes Sasuke back against the sofa, not breaking the kiss. His hands slide from Sasuke's cheeks to his shoulders, slowly guiding Sasuke down until he's lying flat on the couch with Naruto hovering over him, still kissing deeply.
Sasuke lies back willingly, his body melting into the couch as Naruto pins him down gently but firmly. Their lips remain locked, the kiss growing more passionate by the second. Sasuke's hands slide up Naruto's back, gripping his shirt tightly as he wraps his legs around Naruto's waist instinctively.
Feeling Sasuke's legs wrap around him, Naruto starts to grind his hips slowly against Sasuke. The movement is deliberate and teasing, creating delicious friction between their bodies. Sasuke breaks the kiss with a sharp gasp as he feels the pressure against his most sensitive spot.
Sasuke's hands fly to Naruto's chest, pushing him back slightly.
"Wait... wait, Naruto."
He pants out, his face flushed and eyes dark with desire. Despite his obvious arousal, he's not ready for this to go further right now. "Don't..." His voice is hoarse, clearly affected but determined.
Naruto immediately pulls back, his blue eyes widening with panic, mistaking the interruption for rejection. His face burns crimson with embarrassment.
"I-I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I went too far i—"
Sasuke sits up slowly, still trying to catch his breath, his heart pounding in his chest. He sees the genuine panic and guilt on Naruto's face and reaches out immediately, gently grabbing Naruto's hand.
"No, Naruto, stop." He squeezes his fingers reassuringly. "You didn't do anything wrong." Sasuke says firmly, his thumb stroking the back of Naruto's hand to reassure him. "I wanted that. I just... got overwhelmed." He takes a shaky breath. "I'm not ready to go that far physically yet... it was too much."
Naruto looks up slowly, his expression softening with guilt.
Sasuke smiles softly, his thumb continuing its soothing motion on Naruto's hand. "Hey, hey... look at me, not down there." He gestures vaguely towards Naruto's lap with his free hand. "I'm not upset with you. I'm just..." He pauses.
He takes a deep breath, his cheeks still flushed pink. "I need to go slower. That's all. Okay?"
Naruto nods slowly, guilt still evident in his eyes. "Okay... I'm sorry, I just got carried away and… I didn't mean to freak you out or anything."
Naruto stands up from the couch, feeling incredibly awkward and guilty. He stuffs his hands into his pockets, shifting his weight from foot to foot.
"I... uh." He murmurs, avoiding eye contact.
Sasuke sits up slowly as Naruto awkwardly stands from the couch. Naruto's hands are still stuffed in his pockets, his shoulders tense with guilt and embarrassment. Sasuke opens his mouth to reassure him again but then his eyes drop down.
His gaze catches on Naruto's sweatpants - specifically, the very noticeable bulge straining against the loose fabric. Sasuke's eyes widen slightly, his breath catching in his throat. He quickly looks back up at Naruto's face, but his gaze keeps drifting down to the obvious erection pressing against the fabric of Naruto's sweatpants. He swallows hard, realizing that Naruto is indeed very hard.
Sasuke says softly,"Naruto... I just..." He takes a shaky breath, his own cheeks flushed.
"I'm not ready for... that yet. Being touched like that. Not yet."
Naruto's eyes soften with understanding."Oh. Okay."
A moment of awkward silence settles between them.
Naruto clears his throat awkwardly and mumbles a quick goodnight before turning and walking toward his room. Sasuke watches him go, unable to help his gaze dropping back down one more time, watching Naruto's backside as he walks away, his hard cock making a very noticeable tent in his sweatpants.
He closes the door softly, leaving Sasuke alone on the sofa. The only sounds left in the room are the low hum of the freezer and the steady rain outside.
It was barely six in the morning as Sasuke moves silently, careful not to creak the floorboards and wake Naruto. He pauses by the coffee table, leaving a neatly written note pressed under Naruto’s half-empty water bottle before quietly slipping out the door.
Didn't want to wake you. I'll see you soon.—S
-
When Sasuke returned to his apartment, and he’d be lying if he said he slept well. He didn’t. He simply couldn’t. His mind kept circling back to Naruto to the kiss. He hadn’t even realized this about himself until now… until Naruto kissed him. It didn’t make sense. He had dated girls before. He wasn’t inexperienced, wasn’t some naïve, newborn deer stumbling through things for the first time. But this... this was different. Naruto made something stir in his chest, something unfamiliar. It felt like something blooming beneath his ribs, like butterflies trapped in a cage, restless and alive, twisting into his stomach. Warm. Overwhelmingly warm.
But this wasn’t love. It couldn’t be. He barely even showed up to university only appearing during exams or when he needed to borrow a book. Naruto was just… someone he happened to meet. That’s all.
Right?
Sasuke finally reached his apartment building, his gaze sharpening as he scanned the surroundings, instinctively checking if anyone had followed him. The streets were still dangerous at this hour quiet in a way that felt more threatening than peaceful.
If it hadn’t been for that Spider-Man who stepped in that day, things could’ve ended very differently for him.
Sasuke unlocks his door, bends to scratch his black cat behind the ears when she rubs his ankles, and pours kibble into her bowl. He thinks to himself, that hero promised to come today,
“I won't be surprised if he bails.” He wipes his damp hands on his jeans, then glances over at the balcony door, waiting.
-
After the shower, Sasuke toweled his hair dry and sat on the couch, the cat curling into his lap. His mind wandered to the masked man, how the cocky grin and bright energy felt just like Naruto, and he quickly shook the thought away. That was impossible. There was no way they could be the same person. He pulls his physics textbook onto the coffee table, flipping open to the highlighted chapter he needs to review. The cat curls up on the open pages, purring loudly when he scratches her ears. He works steadily through the afternoon, only pausing to make green tea and refill the cat’s bowl, until the sky outside slowly turns deep indigo at night.
When the streetlights flicker on outside his window, Sasuke closes his textbook with a soft thud, stretching out his stiff shoulders. His cat jumps off the table and rubs against his calf, meowing loudly for a bedtime treat. He stands up, grabbing a small treat from the pantry, when he hears a faint thud against his balcony window. He frowns, setting the cat treat down on the counter and walking quietly toward the balcony. He pulls back the curtain, and his breath catches when he sees the red and blue spandex suit pressed against the glass, Spider-Man waving awkwardly at him through the pane.
"You actually showed. I thought you stood me up."
Sasuke crosses his arms, leaning against the door frame of the balcony, his eyes fixed on the wet, slightly rumpled suit. His chest feel tight, and he tilts his head slowly. "You said you’d swing back yesterday. Got held up again?"
The masked man shifts awkwardly on the balcony rail, one gloved hand scratching the back of his masked neck, the faint crinkle of fabric loud in the quiet night air. He lets out that same breathless, familiar laugh that tugs at Sasuke’s chest. "Got a little tied up with a stolen art heist. I did promise, so I couldn’t not show up."
Sasuke steps aside to let him in, the warm light from the living room spilling out onto the rain-wet balcony. His dark eyes follow the broad line of Spider-Man’s shoulder as he walks in, and he shuts the door behind them to keep out the cold night air. "Come in out of the rain. I just made some green tea, it’s still hot."
the masked man yanks his mask up just enough to expose his mouth and chin, grinning wide as he accepts the warm mug, and the familiar slope of his jaw makes Sasuke’s breath catch. He blows on the green tea before taking a sip, the corner of his mouth crinkling with that same bright smile. "This is way better than the gas station coffee I had this morning."
Sasuke sits down across from him on the couch, his black cat padding over to sniff at the masked man gloved knee. He keeps his eyes fixed on the exposed line of familiar jaw, fingers tapping slow against his own mug. "You always show up here late and all beat up."
The man huffs a quiet laugh, lifting his free hand to scratch the back of his neck, the mask still tugged just high enough to show his mouth. He takes another slow sip of tea, the warm steam fogging the edge of his exposed skin. "Your place is the best stop after a long day, y’know."
Dark eyes lock unblinking on Spider-Man’s exposed lips, his heart thudding hard against his ribs. He can’t look away the full shape, the faint curve when he smiles, it’s exactly like Naruto’s. He shakes his head faintly, trying to push the impossible thought away, but it won’t budge. The masked man notices his fixed gaze, tilting his head curiously, and the corner of his visible mouth tugs up into that same lopsided grin Naruto always uses. He lifts a gloved hand to tap his own jaw, voice light and teasing. "Something on my face?"
Sasuke leans forward slightly, his dark eyes steady and unwavering on the masked hero, his voice low and quiet enough that it doesn’t break the soft warmth of the room. He swallows once, gathering the courage to say what he’s been thinking.
"Can you pull the mask all the way off? I want to see your face."
The masked Man’s hand freezes halfway to the edge of his mask, his bright smile fading into a nervous, uncertain tilt of his head. He fidgets with the fabric for a second, not pulling it down or pushing it up, and his voice comes out quieter than before.
"Can I... can I show you another time? I’m not ready yet."
Sasuke doesn’t push, just nods slowly and leans back against the couch cushions, his dark eyes still soft as they land on Spider-Man’s exposed mouth. He lifts his mug to take a slow sip of tea to hide the small, understanding smile tugging at his own lips. "That’s fine."
"Aww, look at her… uh or him I think she likes me. She’s been staring at me since I got here."
The cat flattens her ears against her head when Spider-Man reaches to pet her, hissing quietly and swatting at his gloved hand before darting off the couch to hide behind the bookshelf. the masked man blinks, leaning back with both hands up in surrender, sounding mock hurt. "Wow. Even your cat hates me. That’s cold, Sasuke. What did I ever do to her?"
Sasuke huffs a quiet, amused laugh into his tea mug, watching the cat’s tail flick from behind the bookshelf. He tilts his head at Spider-Man, the corner of his mouth tugging up in a rare, open smile. "She only likes me. Your spandex probably smells like city crime, that's why she hates you."
The masked gasps dramatically, clutching his chest over the spandex suit like he’s been shot, and leans back against the couch arm. His visible mouth is twisted into a playful pout that’s almost identical to Naruto’s. "Ouch. That’s a low blow. I showered before I came, I promise. City crime smell is my signature now, apparently."
Sasuke sets his mug down on the coffee table, leaning forward with that faint, teasing glint in his dark eyes that only comes out when he’s relaxed. He nods at Spider-Man’s suit, the corner of his mouth tugging higher. "Hn,”
Spider-Man tugs his mask back down over his face, standing up from the couch and glancing out the window at the flashing city lights below, shifting awkwardly on his feet, voice warm through the fabric.
"I gotta go stop a late robbery downtown, I’ll be back around two in the morning if that’s okay with you...? I mean. I don’t wanna wake you up if you’re already asleep."
Sasuke stands up too, walking with him back to the balcony door, "It's fine. I'll leave the balcony door unlocked for you. I'll be awake waiting."
Spider-Man’s eyes crinkle behind his mask as he grins, one hand wrapping around the balcony rail to push himself out into the cool night air. And again he gives Sasuke a quick, enthusiastic two-fingered wave before shifting his weight to swing away.
"See you soon Sasuke. Don’t fall asleep on me, yeah?"
Sasuke leans against the balcony frame, watching Spider-Man’s red-and-blue figure swing between the glowing skyscrapers until he disappears around the corner. He pulls the door closed but leaves it unlocked, the cool night breeze drifting in, and turns to tidy up the mugs on the coffee table.
"I’ll be waiting... Naruto"