Time together
The two men had returned to Naruto's home, small and quiet. In light of his split, he’d been living alone for a few years now. Naruto wasn’t too egotistical, and didn’t mind living in a smaller space. He’d given their shared home to Hinata.
He flicked the lights on, the room flooding in golden light suddenly. He set Boruto down, who ran around and headed inside the kitchen. He whined, clearly hungry and in need of a meal. A proper one.
Every time the kids had been with Naruto, he left them quickly heated dinners or leftovers from the nights prior. He didn’t neglect them, or intentionally, he was just far too busy to be able to spend so much time on things like their dinner.
But in Sasuke and Hinata’s marriage, Sasuke was usually the one who would cook. He didn’t mind it, and it gave him time to himself to relax. He enjoyed it, and he certainly didn’t mind cooking for Naruto’s kids. He’d usually bring Boruto lunch he’d made for him during their training, to which the young boy enjoyed thoroughly.
So, as he eyed the totally exasperated Naruto, he spoke up, shutting the door behind him.
”Naruto, I don’t mind cooking your children dinner. I do it for Boruto during our training sessions.“ He softly suggested, causing Naruto to perk up. It seemed as though the light had returned into his eyes.
”But I wouldn’t want to make you feel like that’s your responsibility, Sasuke. I can cook…or, somewhat, but I can do it nonetheless.”
He admitted. Naruto wasn’t the most amazing cook ever, in fact, he’d usually fuck up most of the things he made if he even had time to make them at all.
But Sasuke shook his head, not accepting his rebuttal. He sauntered over towards the kitchen, reaching under his cabinet and pulling out a small pot.
“Naruto, you’ve done way too much for me since we first met. I can at the least cook for you and your kids. Don’t deny that you need all the help you can get. I’m willing to assist that, even for one night.”
He gave Naruto a small smile, making Naruto smile even wider. Hell, just a smile from Naruto would make Sasuke want to cook for him the rest of his days.
As Naruto finally relented, and told him where each ingredient was, Sasuke began to sit and mix the food in the pot. As he did, though, Himawari waddled over, tugging at his pant leg.
He looked down, her eyes big and bright. Just like Boruto’s and most importantly, just like Naruto. He felt his breath hitch; she was extremely cute.
”My daddy talks about you a lot. He says you’re his best friend ever. And he loves you.” She snickered, her giggle like sunshine peering through dark clouds. Sasuke felt his cheeks warm up, suddenly hearing the water boil over.
He gasped, quickly grabbing the pot lid and placing it over, before turning the burner down. This only made her laugh more. He cleared his throat, looking back at Naruto, who was…passed out on the couch. He looked more peaceful than he had in years.
He smiled, looking back at Himawari. He knelt down, his right arm picking her up, and he began softly rocking her, something he used to do when Sarada was a baby. She beamed, and her small arms gripped tightly to his shirt, her eyes fluttering shut. He smiled, turning his gaze back to the pot.
He turned the oven off, and set her on the counter. Boruto ran in, and put his hands on the counter, getting on his tip-toes. He inhaled the scent, and grinned.
”This smells way better than anything dad’s made throughout the times he’s taken care of us. Thanks sensei.” He looked up at Sasuke, who nodded, handing him a small portion size of the broth he’d stirred, mixed with noodles and beef.
Naruto awoke at the smell, blinking a few times before his gaze turned to the three of them. The scene looked as though it were torn from an old children’s book.
Sasuke was handing Himawari another bowl, to which she was thanking him. Boruto was slurping his very fast, and Sasuke dabbed his mouth with a napkin hanging on the drawer where the utensils were.
It looked…like a family. One not full of resentment, sadness, or disappointment. A complete one.
He stood up silently, walking over incredulously as if he were dreaming. He made his way behind Sasuke, who looked back, and handed him a bowl with a knowing look.
”This is how you cook, Naruto.” He teased, and Naruto chuckled. But his heart skipped at the sight. It smelled incredible, as it looked, and his children seemed happier than ever. Sasuke was an incredible parent.
”Thank you, Sasuke. This means a lot.” He whispered, before he began eating. And of course, it tasted great. As he ate, he asked Sasuke:
”So, did these two say anything jarring or extremely embarrassing about me while I was…well, completely passed out?” He smiled, licking his lips.
Sasuke looked away, remembering what Himawari had told him. He decided it’d be best not to mention it. So, he replied:
”No, nothing much. They were just hungry.” He also decided to get off the topic. “What time do you put them to bed?” He added.
Naruto wiped his lips with the back of his hand, before replying. “About 8:30 for Boruto, and 7:00 for Himawari.” He said, setting his bowl down. The kids whined, as it was about 6:50 at the moment. At least she knew she was going to go soon.
”But since I have company, both of you are going early.” He said sternly, to which they huffed and puffed. Boruto set his bowl on the counter and began tugging at Naruto’s pants, and Himawari followed. Sasuke couldn’t help but find it comical.
”No fair! Sasuke-sensei needs to see how much I’ve improved! I’m grown, I can stay up!” Boruto grunted.
But as Himawari began to protest, she yawned, and her eyes were fluttering open and closed. She rubbed them, and Naruto chuckled, scooping her up. Sasuke followed him down the hallway as Naruto cooed, tapping her nose with his finger as he entered her dim room.
Sasuke felt as if he were part of the family he’d always longed for, watching as Naruto set her down gently into her bed. He looked back to see a now depleted of energy Boruto, clutching his pant leg.
”Sasuke-sensei….I’m getting stronger, I swear.” He murmured, his eyes drooping. He smiled, offering his hand, and he took it.
He glanced through each door, until he found himself at the end of the hallway. Boruto pointed to it groggily, and he nodded, letting go of his hand to push the door open, watching the young boy trudge towards his bed ahead of Sasuke. He smiled, flicking off the lights. Naruto came up behind him, causing the hairs on his skin to stand.
He heard Narutos gentle breaths as he smiled, extremely close behind Sasuke. He put his arm on the doorframe, and leaned his head down to whisper to Sasuke.
”He’s already getting to be my age when I first began training. When I first met you, Sasuke.” He beamed, his gaze still on Boruto as his chest rose and fell.
And Sasuke didn’t reply right away. His eyes were also on Boruto, and it was like a splitting image of Naruto. His overzealous spirit, his eyes, his hair…it was all so familiar. It made him feel so different than he ever had before. Paternal.
He glanced back at Naruto, whose eyes were lidded as he gave him a lazy smile. They left form the doorframe, shutting the door, and let out small sighs of relief.
Naruto turned back to Sasuke. “Again, thank you Sasuke. I couldn’t have done this without your assistance, and I didn't realize how good of a cook you were.” He added in a grateful tone. Sasuke nodded, but his mind was still stuck on the look he’d received from Naruto. It looked so…content. Relaxed.
He looked back at the home, watching Naruto walk ahead and into the living room area once more. He reclined on the sofa, and beckoned Sasuke over.
”You’ve helped me enough today, Sasuke. Cmere.” He grinned, patting the seat next to him. Sasuke walked over slowly, and silently, as to not wake up the children. He settled down beside him, his cheeks suddenly red. Naruto always seemed to make him feel flustered, even as young boys.
But he was able to hide it much better back then.
Naruto stretched, his arm coming behind Sasuke’s back, grazing the fabric of his collar. He sat straighter, making Naruto smirk.
”What’s got you so on edge, Sasuke? Tense?” He muttered, his voice low. And while Sasuke presumed it was so they wouldn’t interrupt the kids sleep, he had an underlying feeling it went deeper than that.
His tone had shifted. They were alone, away from both Himawari and Boruto, and away from any of their comrades. They hadn’t been completely alone in a very long time. He leaned in, his breath ghosting Sasukes neck. He barely looked over, before averting his eyes once more.
”Yes…tense. I’m tense.” He murmured, using that as an excuse. Tense. Yes, that was what he was. But he wasn’t tense for no reason, or due to stress from his life or duties. He was tense because Naruto was so close, and his breaths made his skin tingle. His hand fisted in his lap. Naruto looked down, seemingly oblivious.
”Can you believe it? We’re both single now. I never thought.” He leaned back, letting Sasuke exhale. He nodded.
”The odds are pretty weird, I’ll admit. But sometimes, things don’t work out in life. It only provides more chances to get it right, though.” He finally locked his gaze with Naruto, his words genuine. He meant it—the true reason he knew their marriages hadn’t worked out was most likely due to feelings they weren’t even being honest with themselves about.
Naruto nodded, his legs spreading out as he groaned. Sasuke’s eyes met the center of his thighs, and he quickly looked back, his heart rate through the roof. Then, Naruto asked something he knew would make things even worse.
”So…are you going to stay single?”