Sasuke was always confused as to why the village needed to know who owned which apartment or house. He hated that people who had known him as a little kid with an out-of-control brother and no parents were aware of his residence. The thought of it made him sick, and he hated how the girls would crowd it after school hours in hopes of catching a glimpse of him.
Then, at the age of fourteen, Naruto Uzumaki clawed his way into Sasuke's broken heart and gradually repaired it.
That is when Sasuke started to love having people know where he lived. Or specifically, one person. Because of the hatred that surrounded the blonde boy, it was simple to locate him, but in Sasuke's house, love was all that was present.
Due to no one daring to enter, they spend the majority of their lives in Sasuke’s compound. With just the two of them, it was serene and felt like home. A home the two of them never got.
He wanted to keep the rest of their world out of his home with Naruto. However, if it would bring Nartuo even the smallest joy, he would welcome guests to his home and compound. Even so, he still finds it unpleasant to have people who are not Naruto in his house.
But for the time being, it was advantageous. At the moment, Iruka and Kakashi-sensei were at his house doing some decorating. Sasuke can’t lie and say he planned it all because he really didn’t. Simply put, he had no idea what parties were like due to his complicated upbringing, and he was even baffled as to how Naruto could have prepared them for him.
Though he could claim the credit for organizing the details, such as what would be included and where it would be.
He left the older couple behind and walked towards the village, hoping to make the blonde joyful by letting them destroy his simple, dark house with the most hideous colored party supplies.
Sasuke was aware of how Naruto used to spend his birthday before they got together.
He skipped school and stayed inside his apartment, the windows covered with scraps of wood, probably to block out the noise of the haunting names they would call him, and the next day Sasuke would see him with the most haunted look painting his face.
Because of the severe mental beating that happened on this particular day, Naruto, who was usually sunshine in human form and reckless, spent the rest of the week locked up in a depressing apartment and became unhappy.
Sasuke never understood it, not even when he was younger and still had family. He detested it when he watched them degrade Naruto for just living from a distance. He regrets not speaking up at least once now that he thinks back on it.
Had he not been so weak, perhaps they could have had a happier time earlier. Sasuke sighs, attempting to push those emotions aside. He was aware that if Naruto had been present, he would have struck up a fight with Sasuke until the latter stopped thinking negatively about himself.
Naruto really was a unique individual.
His thoughts halted as he reached the front door of his lover. The windows were boarded up already. Sasuke let out a sigh at the scene, finding it hard to comprehend how Naruto was still being treated after all these years and everything he had accomplished.
His mom was right some people truly will never learn and change. He braced himself as he knocked on the wooden plank; he hoped the blonde could hear him through the thick wood.
“Who is it?” Naruto's voice called out a slight shake to it.
Was Naruto that afraid? God Sasuke detested the way fear was embedded in his voice, and he felt that his desire to burn down this village and flee with his boyfriend was becoming more and more plausible every day. The only thing holding him back was how much Naruto seemed to love it here despite the verbal abuse he was subjected to. “It’s me, Naru. No one else but me is out here. We’re going to my place.” Even through the thick plank of wood, he can hear the sigh of relief coming out of the others mouth.
Sasuke waits patiently as he hears the other probably collecting his belongings and shoving them in his pockets. He would do anything to make the blonde enjoy his birthday from now on.
Naruto’s meek voice breaks him out of his thoughts. “Didn’t think you would show up today.” He says. “Why wouldn’t I?”
"I don’t know, you tell me. Would Sasuke Uchiha be able to go into the village's depths and hear what they are calling his beloved boyfriend without setting anyone on fire?”
“I’ll have you know, Usuratonkachi, not a single person was harmed on my trip here, and it’s not that far of a walk from my own compound.” Naruto laughs at how stoic he sounds. “I was just kidding, you know.”
“Oh,” he mumbles. Sasuke turns his head away from Naruto in the hopes that his bangs will partially conceal his flush. There were always drawbacks to being pale, such as displaying color when it was not necessary, like at the moment.
“You look so funny when you try to hide your blush. We’re literally dating; there's nothing to hide, idiot.”
“Shut up.” Naruto laughs again, trying to reach for his hand, but Sasuke moves away. “So mean. On my birthday?”
“You’re going to use that card forever, aren't you?" He sighs. “Yes.” As Sasuke hums, he lets his hand slide into Naruto's, and their hands clasp together. It is not a long walk to his house, and he does not feel embarrassed that the blonde is his boyfriend. If anything, he is proud that someone like Naruto likes him for who he is, not just how he looks.
“So why are you taking me to your house?” He contemplates how to answer without exposing the plan. “You will see.”
“That sound’s like you’re going to murder me.”
“What are you even talking about, you idiot?”
“Do you actually hear yourself? It sounds like a threat.” Sasuke scoffs and drags Naruto to his house. He hopes that the two men have finished decorating. He glanced towards his window and noticed the lights had been turned off. Perfect, he thought.
“Can you go in?” He says more than asks. “Why?
"Naruto, just go.”
"Fine, so bossy. I don't know why I listen to you; it’s my birthday.” The blonde turns the doornob and walks in. After a beat of silence, Iruka and Kakashi leap up as Sasuke reaches to switch on the lights. “Surprise!” Two monotone and one enthusiastic voice shout.
With a yelp, Naruto's eyes pop open. “What? Is this for me?” He turns to face Sasuke “Seriously?” A smirk appears on his lip as he nods. “You asshole, why didn’t you tell me?”
“That would ruin the surprise, wouldn't it, Usuratonkachi?” Naruto scoffs, but Sasuke can see the way he wipes at his nose. It’s something the blonde does when he wants to hold back his tears. Despite his refusal to publicly acknowledge it, Sasuke finds it incredibly endearing and adorable. But again, he won’t admit it, but having photographic memory has never been more of a blessing than right now.
“Iruka-sensei and Kakashi-sensei, what are you doing here?” Naruto smiles through his question. Today was really pulling the strings on Sasuke’s heart. “Did you really think we were going to miss your birthday?”
“Did you two plan this?”
“Not necessarily.” Both of them tilt their heads towards Sasuke.
“Sasuke? Really?” The attention from Naruto is making his heart thump. He hates when he gets like this because he knows the blonde can tell. “I didn’t do much." He lies.
"Sasuke is being modest; we just set it up; he planned it all." He clicks his tongue at their stupid teacher opening his big mouth. “Really? I didn’t think you cared about me like that.”
“Whatever.” He hopes that their teachers will not notice his shyness. “Lets celebrate then!” Iruka exclaims. He pulls Naruto to the table and wraps him in a sash and party hat. Sasuke had never seen the man act this way before; normally, he was very serious, but Naruto seemed to be more like his son than anything else.
“Come here, Sasuke, we need pictures of you two.” The brunette motioned for him to come. His mouth felt dry. A memory of Izumi and Itachi flashed right in front of him. His mother in place of Iruka-sensei. Could Itachi see him now? Would he be happy seeing how far Sasuke came? Does he miss Sasuke like he misses him?
Naruto's call for his name caused his thoughts about his brother to stop spiraling. “Sasuke?” He said it softly. The raven-haired boy hadn't even noticed that he had gotten up from his seat and was holding his shoulder. The expression on Naruto's face conveys his level of concern.
“I’m fine,” he whispers back. Sasuke knows his senseis are looking at him just as concerned. Although Naruto nods and acknowledges how much he would prefer not to express his emotions aloud, he knows they will discuss this at a later time.
He takes his place next to Naruto for a picture. This is his family now. There is a reason he was left alive, and he will take full advantage of it. It’s what Itachi would have wanted.
"Smile,” Iruka says, smiling widely. For the first time, Sasuke lets the smile he feels tug on his lip go when Naruto throws his arm around his shoulders. The picture snaps, and Sasuke feels the happiness thrumbling through him.
He has a long way to go, but he’ll be okay. He and Naruto will be okay despite what the world throws at them. "Well, I hope you guys enjoy the rest of your time; me and Iruka have to go now.”
“Awe sensei, just spend some more time with us.” The blonde begs. "Yeah, no,” Kakashi says. Iruka shakes his head. “Sorry kid, but don't forget ramen tonight.” Naruto nods his head, smiling wide. “You know it.”
Sasuke watches them hug softly. Naruto really is Iruka’s son in a sense. Kakashi also hugs him, which surprises him. He turns to Naruto when they leave, and as he gets up from his chair, he collapses in his arms.
The blonde shoves his face into the raven’s neck, and Sasuke holds him. He knows this is hard on Naruto, but he hadn't expected him to react like this. He presses a kiss to his forehead and runs a pale hand through his golden hair. Sasuke doesn’t know how to comfort him, but he’ll hold Naruto however long the other needs him too.
“Thank you,” Naruto whispers into his neck. “I got you,” he replies.
Sasuke doesn’t stop trying his best to comfort the blonde. He doesn’t want to let him go anymore. He does not want Naruto to be mistreated or hear those hurtful remarks any more. Every time he heard the whispers or saw the snide and filthy glances, it made him furious.
“Naru,” he whispers. The blonde, muffled from Sasuke's neck, responds, "Yeah, Sas."
“Move in with me?” he asks quietly, hoping the other heard him. Naruto pulls away, removing his face from Sasuke's pale neck. “Seriously? Like actually?” Sasuke nods.
“Why would I joke about this?”
“I.. I don’t know. I just never expected this. I mean, when you have a family, this is your home, and I don’t want to just live here.” Naruto stumbles over his words. He’s too flustered to think rationally—not that he really thought rationally before. "Usuratonkachi, what are you talking about? You are my family. You are my boyfriend, and it will always be that way. Do you plan on leaving me? Is that what you mean?”
“What no, why would you think that?” Sasuke exhales with relief; he has a secret worry that the blonde will grow tired of him and move on. “You idiot, you made it sound like that.”
"Well, I didn’t mean to.”
“Naruto, you had to go and ruin the moment.”
"Well, sorry for being cautious about the grand Uchiha compound.” Sasuke rolls his eyes at the way Naruto gestures around. "Dumbass, you are one. You’re with me, and if you don’t plan on leaving, then you’re a Uchiha.”
"Hey, you are taking my name if we get married.” “And why the hell would I do that?”
The blonde has a smirk on his face. “Sasuke Uzumaki sounds good if you ask me.” He scoffs. “Thats not a valid reason, Usuratonkachi.”
“Good enough for me really.”
Ignoring his response, Sasuke wants an answer for his earlier question. “Whatever idiot yes or no.”
“Of course the answer is yes, Sasuke.” The raven lets out his second smile of the day. It will always be just the two of them, and he may never be able to rebuild his clan, but Sasuke would much rather be content and let the clan perish with him than be able to have a clan.
“Sas, I love you.”
“Yeah, me too.” Naruto clicks his tongue. “Say it back.”
“I love you too, idiot.”