It's a Bit Complicated
Well, this was rather embarrassing.
Since Naruto was Hokage, a lot of his less physically taxing duties was approving or denying important documents, or faciliting them all together.
This included official ninja documentation, like removing a ninja's name from the official scrolls that year if they turned rogue. Weddings. Name changes.
Divorces.
Sasuke clutched the papers in his hand, and once he'd finished signing, he knew he had to make his way to the Hokage office. He also knew Naruto would end ho finding out they were definitely, and officially, splitting up.
While he dreaded this from the shame it would bring, he loved it for the freedom that would follow. Starting a clean slate after... What, a few decades and one child? It can't be that bad. Although, his mind was stuck on Sarada.
What would she think, knowing her parents were splitting? Would it be like what Boruto told him all those months ago during training--- that she would doubt the love both her parents had for her because things didn't mend themselves with one another? Sasuke knew he wasn't the best father, but he loved his daughter nonetheless.
But what sort of rebuttal did he have to give her? That she's the result of an unhappy marriage, and he would've been happier in a relationship that she wouldn't have been a component in if it has worked out initially?
He knew whatever feelings she had toward him, whether they be anger for breaking up her family, sadness for thinking she wasn't worth it, or a mixture of the two. Perhaps worse; she'd end up hating him.
He shook it out of his head. He was sure Sakura would tell her soon, if she hadn't already. She'd want her father to be happy anyways... Hopefully.
Stepping through the threshold, he was met with the same face he'd seen for years; but each year, it grew more tired, more mature, but ultimately more handsome. Refined.
The man looked up as he was in a meeting. His blue eyes lit up, and he stood with renewed energy. The woman he was with quirked an eyebrow, but she was soon ushered out almost immediately upon Sasuke's entry.
He shut, and locked, the door behind her, before turning back with his signature smile. God, Sasuke thought. If he'd survived everything he'd been put through for years, that smile would be what killed him.
It had such genuineness, such a lack of abhorrent emotion, it made his chest tighten. He put a hand on Sasuke's shoulder, letting it run down smoothly.
"Sasuke, what a lovely surprise. So, what are those? Whatever you want, I'll sign em."
He sat back down in his chair, and held his quill in his hand, smiling. He leaned forward, and awaited for Sasuke to speak. He gently placed them on the table with no words, to which Naruto looked confused.
He picked them up, his eyes scanning back and forth. And soon enough, his expression turned to one of pity. Yet, it didn't quite reach his eyes, which made Sasuke's heart skip a beat or two. He sat down in the now empty seat facing Naruto's desk, and cleared his throat.
"They're divorce papers, but I'm sure you can tell by now. Unfortunately, I'm also sure you're not too surprised by the nature of this separation."
Naruto nodded, his eyes still reading. He flipped the page over, until he reached the side that required his signature, alongside Sasuke and Sakura's.
His hand idly reached over to dip his quill in ink, finals looking back up at Sasuke. His piercing gaze made it's way over the top of the paper's.
"It's a bit funny to think Sakura was obsessed with you when we were kids, and you played into her fantasy, it seems." He spoke through a chuckle, his hand gracefully moving across the paper as he signed.
"Though, I'm sorry things didn't work out." He added, for safe measure.
This made Sasuke smile, who adjusted in the seat he was currently in.
"I suppose I did feed into her desires, but it was more complicated than that. We were on a mission together, just us. I knew during that night what she wanted, and what she'd been wanting, for years. I thought through the benefits.. And that was that."
Naruto nodded, his brows knitted.
"Sakura is an incredible woman, and ninja. But that's not love, Sasuke. And it's no way to spend the rest of your life."
He stopped, and laughed.
"Here I am, a divorced man, giving you love advice." Naruto smiled, setting the divorce papers into a pile of important documents.
"Enough about me, though. You're officially single again, Sasuke Uchiha." Naruto grinned, his arms crossed on the desk.
"The bachelor has gained his wings again. Will you try dating again soon, or is that something off the table?" He smirked, joking.
Sasuke looked away for a moment. Honestly, he wanted to gain back that romantic spark with Naruto that has always lingered below the surface. But he didn't want to be so bold, and his pride didn't allow him. So, he replied shortly.
"There's a chance, I suppose. If there's anyone that truly peaks my interest. But I'm not as young as I used to be." He chuckled to himself. But Naruto seemed oddly fixated on him.
"Sure, but you're not unattractive. Don't doubt yourself, Sasuke. I'm positive there's plenty who would love to take their opportunity now. Just sayin'. "
He leaned back in his chair. Sasuke smiled, laughing softly, which made Naruto suddenly gain a chance to ask--
But both of the men's gaze was drawn to the door, where a young Boruto was. He'd pushed the door open, and walked through, up to Naruto. He looked puzzled.
"Boruto? Tonight's your mom's.. Wait. Is it Saturday?"
Sasuke nodded.
"It's Saturday, yes."
Naruto rubbed his temple as Boruto climbed up on to his knee. Weekends were his time to look after the kids. Honestly, it was an incredibly kind offer from Hinata, being 5 days vs 2. But that didn't mean he wasn't busy around the clock.
"Shoot. Just.. Damn." He groaned, his head falling back in his chair. Boruto looked over at Sasuke.
"Sasuke-sensei. Can you believe Dad forgot about me and my sister? Pssh." That earned him a glare from Naruto.
Sasuke smirked. It was clearly Naruto's kid. But then he remembered--Sakura had taken Sarada on a trip of her choosing so she could break the news of their divorce. He spoke up.
"Naruto, I could... Uh, assist you, with your children. If you need help, which it looks like you do." His voice was a low whisper. Naruto looked up, his expression more grateful than he'd ever seen. Like a kitten on the side of the road.
"Really? That would help me immensely." His smile returned, and he propped Boruto on his knee, bouncing him.
Sasuke nodded, standing up as the sun began to set. He knew that, while he cared for Naruto's kids as well, especially Boruto, he was offering so he could have an excuse to stay in Naruto's house with him. Alone.
Naruto nodded, holding Boruto up on his shoulders as he was laughing. The two men stepped out of the office, and Naruto walked in step with Sasuke. He turned to him.
"Thank you, Sasuke." He whispered. And Sasuke felt as though everything in the world was right again.