Chapter 17
The sunlight streamed in through the curtains, casting a warm glow over the room. Naruto stirred first, blinking sleepily as he registered the warmth against him.
It took him a moment to realize that Sasuke was practically wrapped around him.
Sasuke’s face was buried against Naruto’s chest, his arm draped over Naruto’s waist, and one of his legs was tangled with Naruto’s. He was still fast asleep, his breathing slow and even.
Naruto grinned.
Oh, this is too good.
He glanced down at Sasuke, who looked way too comfortable cuddling him.
Carefully, Naruto shifted his arm and poked Sasuke’s cheek.
“Oi… wake up, lover boy.”
Sasuke grumbled but didn’t move.
Naruto bit back a laugh. He poked again. “Sasuuuukeee~ wake uppp~”
Sasuke groaned softly, shifting slightly but still not opening his eyes. His grip on Naruto tightened instead.
Naruto smirked. “Oh? So you wanna hold me more?”
Sasuke’s brow furrowed in confusion, but he still didn’t fully wake up. Naruto decided to take it up a notch.
He brought his lips close to Sasuke’s ear and whispered:
“You were all over me last night… I didn’t know you were this clingy.”
Sasuke finally stirred. His fingers twitched, and his breathing hitched slightly. His eyelids fluttered open, his sleepy brain struggling to process Naruto’s words.
“…What?” Sasuke’s voice was hoarse from sleep.
Naruto grinned wider. “You seriously don’t remember? You were hugging me all night. Even in your sleep, you didn’t wanna let go.”
Sasuke blinked, his expression blank for a second—then realization hit.
His eyes darted down, seeing how close they were—how he was literally wrapped around Naruto. His face flushed instantly.
Naruto laughed. “Damn, you really don’t wanna let go, huh?”
Sasuke immediately pulled back like he had been burned. He rolled away so fast that he almost fell off the bed, his back now facing Naruto.
Naruto propped himself up on his elbow, smirking. “Oi, where are you running to?"
Sasuke cut him off. “Shut up.” His voice was muffled against the pillow, his ears visibly red.
Naruto grinned wickedly. “Sooo… does this mean we can cuddle every night now?”
Sasuke threw a pillow at his face.
Naruto just laughed, dodging it with ease. “C’mon, you know you liked it~”
Sasuke groaned and buried his face deeper into the pillow. “I hate you.”
Naruto chuckled and leaned over, ruffling Sasuke’s hair. “Nah, you love me.”
Sasuke swatted his hand away but didn’t deny it.
Naruto just smirked .
After finally dragging Sasuke out of bed (which involved more teasing and an annoyed Sasuke threatening to throw Naruto out the window), the two got ready and headed back to HQ.
The moment they stepped in, something felt… off.
People were staring.
Not just regular staring—smirking, whispering, and watching their every move.
Sasuke frowned. Why the hell were they looking at them like that?
Naruto, on the other hand, looked completely relaxed, even grinning.
Sasuke glanced around suspiciously. That’s when he spotted Ino smirking from the side, twirling her phone in her hand.
Shikamaru was nearby, leaning lazily against a wall, but there was an amused look in his eyes.
Even Kakashi was there, flipping through a book, but Sasuke could swear he was watching them from the corner of his eye.
Then there was Kisame. He was grinning way too much. "Yo, Sasuke! Sleep well last night?"
Sasuke’s eye twitched.
Something was up.
Before he could demand what the hell was going on, Deidara clapped a hand on his shoulder. "Sasuke, my man. Didn’t know you were such a cuddler, hmm~?”
Sasuke froze.
His head slowly turned to Naruto, who was barely holding back a laugh.
“…What the hell did you do?” Sasuke’s voice was low, dangerous.
Naruto finally cracked, laughing. "Nothing~ Just that someone couldn't keep their hands off me all night—"
"SHUT UP." Sasuke's entire face burned.
That’s when Ino pulled out her phone. "Sooo~ Naruto may or may not have mentioned something this morning, and guess what? We all agree—this is gold."
She held up the screen.
Sasuke saw a group chat with half the HQ in it. The latest message?
"Sasuke is a cuddler. Confirmed by Naruto. Discuss."
Sasuke wanted to die.
"…I'm killing you all," he muttered.
Naruto grinned and slung an arm around his shoulder. "Aww, don’t be mad, babe."
The entire room reacted.
"BABE?!!"
Shikamaru sighed. "What a drag."
Kakashi flipped a page in his book. "Youthful love is a beautiful thing."
Pain just stared. “…Huh.”
Deidara burst out laughing. "Oh, this is the best thing I've seen all week, un!"
Kisame whistled. "Didn’t think you’d be the type, Sasuke, but hey, I respect it."
Nagato, amused, simply nodded. "Interesting development."
Hidan grinned. "Tch, if you’re gonna act like a couple, at least put on a damn show."
Sakura just shook her head. "You two are hopeless."
Sasuke, completely red, grabbed Naruto by the collar. “I. Will. Kill. You.”
Naruto laughed. "You wouldn’t kill your beloved boyfriend, right?"
The entire room exploded.
"BOYFRIEND?!"
Sasuke was done. He grabbed Naruto’s arm and marched away.
“I HATE YOU ALL.”
The laughter followed them all the way down the hall.
Naruto, still grinning, leaned closer and whispered: “Sooo… cuddling again tonight?”
Sasuke punched him in the arm.
But he didn’t say no.
Big Brother Mode: Activated
Just as the laughter in the room reached its peak, a new presence made itself known.
The atmosphere shifted.
A slow, deliberate clap echoed through the room.
Everyone turned.
Itachi.
He was standing near the entrance, arms crossed, expression unreadable—but his eyes? Sharp as a blade.
Naruto’s grin faltered for the first time.
Sasuke froze.
"Ohhh, shit." Kisame muttered under his breath, stepping aside. Even he didn’t want to get caught in the middle of whatever was about to go down.
Deidara, sensing danger, slowly moved away, muttering something about "not being part of this, un."
Nagato, Pain, and Konan exchanged glances, but none of them spoke.
Hidan, oblivious to the tension, snorted. "Tch, what’s with the drama—"
Itachi stepped forward.
And the entire room went silent.
His gaze slowly settled on Naruto.
“…So,” he said, voice smooth but dangerously calm. “You’re dating my little brother.”
Naruto swallowed. “Uh—”
Itachi took another step. “And from what I hear, he’s been sneaking off to your place at night?”
Naruto raised his hands. “I mean—technically, I just took care of him because he was sick—”
Itachi ignored him. His attention was now fully on Sasuke.
“Sasuke.” His tone softened—just a bit. “Are you happy?”
Sasuke blinked. He wasn’t expecting that question. “…What?”
“I asked,” Itachi continued, eyes narrowing slightly, “are you happy with him?”
Sasuke felt his face heat up. “Why the hell are you asking that?”
“I need to know,” Itachi said, voice unwavering, “so I can determine if I have to kill him or not.”
Naruto choked.
Sasuke glared. “Itachi—”
But Itachi wasn’t finished.
He turned back to Naruto, his usual calm demeanor unwavering. "Listen closely, Naruto."
Naruto straightened up. "Yeah?"
"If I ever see even a single tear in Sasuke's eyes because of you—" Itachi’s voice dropped lower, eyes flashing with something cold and unforgiving, "there won’t be a place in this world where you can hide."
Naruto stiffened.
Everyone else in the room? Dead silent.
Naruto, after a long pause, finally managed a nervous chuckle. “Hah… well, you know, I’d never make Sasuke cry, so no need to—uh—hunt me down…”
Itachi stared.
Naruto’s grin faltered. “R-Right?”
Itachi didn’t blink.
The entire room felt colder.
Naruto broke into a sweat. "Haha... haha..."
Sasuke sighed.
"Stop scaring him, Tachi."
Itachi’s expression softened ever so slightly. He glanced at Sasuke. "I’m just making sure."
Sasuke crossed his arms. "I can take care of myself."
Itachi tilted his head. “Can you?”
Sasuke narrowed his eyes. "Yes."
Itachi paused. Then—he smirked.
“…Alright,” he said finally, stepping back. “If you say so.”
Naruto exhaled loudly, looking like he just avoided death.
The tension in the room finally started to ease, though there were still a few amused snickers from the others.
Kisame leaned toward Itachi. "You know, you almost gave him a heart attack."
Itachi simply hummed. "That was the point."
Sasuke rolled his eyes. "You’re ridiculous."
Naruto, still recovering from the near-death experience, muttered, “Your brother is terrifying.”
Sasuke smirked. "I know."
But despite everything…
Somehow, Naruto had a feeling Itachi had already accepted him.
…Even if he’d never admit it.