The gift
It had been a mistake to touch the blond, to kiss him.
Having once tasted Naruto's innocence, his sweetness, Sasuke could think of nothing else. He sought the boy out at supper, sipping from his wineglass while he watched him eat, listening with rapt attention while Naruto told him how he had spent his day.
Naruto had a bright mind, a keen intellect, and a delightful sense of humour. Iruka had told him he was a quick study, that he was making remarkable progress.
Sasuke saw the results for himself each night when Naruto read to him, as he was doing now.
He sat in his favourite chair, staring into the flames of a fire that did little to warm the coldness within him, listening to Naruto read. The sound of his voice washed over him like silken sunshine, softer than duck down, hotter than the flickering flames that danced in the hearth. Through heavy lidded eyes, he watched the blond boy, wondering how it was possible for him to grow more beautiful with each passing day. Soft cheeks bloomed with colour, blue eyes sparkled, tanned skin glowed with youth and life. The firelight cast golden shadows on his profile. Mesmerised like a love-struck youth, Sasuke basked in the blond boy's nearness, in the breathy sound of his voice.
Several minutes passed before he realised that Naruto had stopped reading, that he was staring back at him.
"Is something wrong, sweet Naruto?"
"No, my lord."
"Why have you stopped reading?"
A faint smile played over plump pink lips. “I stopped some time ago.”
Sasuke frowned, feeling confused. "Will you tell me why?"
"Because the story is over, my lord."
Sasuke looked at the blond for a long moment, feeling quite the fool, and then he laughed.
Naruto stared at him. He had rarely seen Sasuke smile, never heard him laugh. It was a wondrous sound, deep and rich. And contagious. Naruto felt a wave of answering laughter rise up within him, and joined with the laughter until the walls echoed with the sound.
And then, without knowing quite how, Sasuke was kneeling before him, and the laughter died as suddenly as it came.
"Naruto." Sasuke took soft smooth hands in his and he kissed each one. "Do you know how long it's been since I laughed like that?"
"No, my lord."
"A very long time," Sasuke replied, his gaze burning into blue. "Longer than you can imagine."
"Then I'm glad I made you laugh." Naruto grinned.
"What can I give you in return?"
"My lord?" Naruto rose a brow in questions.
"A new silk shirt to match the colour of your eyes? A chain of fine gold?"
"I want nothing, my lord.” Naruto smiled softly while shaking his head. “You have already given me much and yet I have given you nothing.” Naruto then looked away.
Guilt, sharper than the thorns on the roses Naruto had planted, pricked his conscience. Naruto had given him far more than he imagined. More than he had any right to take.
"Name your prize, sweet Naruto. You have but to name it, and it's yours. Please."
Naruto looked up, his eyes blinking in surprise. "Anything I want? Truly?"
"Truly.” Sasuke gave but a firm nod of affirmation.
Naruto bit his bottom lip in thought before responding, "I should very much like to have a mirror in my room."
Sasuke sat back on his heels, his dark eyes suddenly shadowed and cold. "A mirror?"
Naruto nodded, his expression eager. "You've given me so many fine things. I want to see how I look."
"Very well," Sasuke said, his voice tight. "You shall have one.”
"Did I say something wrong?" Naruto asked, blue eyes filled with confusion.
Sasuke shook his head, then rose slowly to his feet. "Go to bed boy."
Naruto stood up. As always, Sasuke’s size surprised him. The dark haired man moved with such stealth, spoke with such power, Naruto often forgot how impressive Sasuke was. Tall, dark and broad shouldered, he towered over him. "Will you not tell me what I've done to displease you?"
Sasuke turned away from him to stare into the fire. “Go to bed." The deep voice was brittle, like frozen glass.
"Very well, my lord." Naruto bowed his head.
Sasuke listened to the sound of the blonde's slowed footsteps, he was taking his time as he crossed the floor. He could feel the blond watching him, waiting for him to reply, then heard him sigh as he opened the door and left the room.
Sasuke stared into the flames. He could sit in this room and pretend he was a man like any other. He could pretend Naruto was his intended, that the blond was there only because he wished it. He could surround himself with riches, but he could not hide from the truth any more than he could walk in the sunlight, or see his reflection in a mirror. Such simple things, forever denied him.
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The mirror that Iruka delivered to Naruto's room the following afternoon was quite the most exquisite thing he had ever seen, a full length looking glass set in a frame of burnished oak. And in the top corner, etched in spidery script, were his initials.
"Oh, it's beautiful," he murmured. He ran his hands over the wood, traced the letters of his initials.
"Lord Sasuke will be pleased that you approve."
Naruto smiled as he continued to look at himself in the mirror. “Is he home? I must thank him."
"He is unavailable, young master,” Iruka responded with a shake of his head.
"He's never here during the day," Naruto said, pouting. "Where does he go?"
"I’m sure I don't know, young master.”
"You don't?"
"No, young master." The hesitation in Iruka’s voice told Naruto he was lying. "Will you be coming down for dinner, young master?"
"No, I don't think so." Naruto turned away from the mirror. "I think I'll take a nap."
"Very good, young master." With a slight bow, Iruka left the room.
Naruto went to the window and stared down into the gardens. He’d been here for months, and only now had he realised he had never seen Sasuke during the day. Why had Iruka lied to him? Was Sasuke here? Upstairs, perhaps?
Curious, he crossed to the door, opened it, and peeked out. There was no sign of Iruka. Tiptoeing from his chamber, he made his way down the corridor toward the east tower. His footsteps echoed loudly in his ears as he climbed the narrow winding stairway. Ninety-nine steps he counted. He was breathless when he reached the top.
Pausing to catch his breath, he glanced down the long corridor. There was no light up here save for what little filtered through the shuttered windows set in the thick stone walls. On tiptoe, he made his way down the hallway.
Naruto stopped at the first door, his hand trembling as he reached for the latch. The door opened without a sound.
Peering inside, he saw that the room was filled with furniture-brocade sofas, chairs covered in faded embroidery and horsehair, curved settees covered in damask. There were tables in all sizes and shapes, chairs made of rich dark oak and mahogany, delicate stools and marble topped commodes. All were covered with a layer of dust, as if they had not been used for decades.
Closing the door, Naruto then crossed the hallway to the opposite room. It, too, was crowded with the furniture of another era.
The next room was filled with works of art: statues, paintings, bronze figures, vases made of crystal and porcelain, china figurines, a huge sculpture of a raven hewn in black wood. These, too, were covered with dust and cobwebs.
Ahead was the tower room itself. Naruto knew, without knowing how he knew, that this was Sasuke's personal lair. Moving cautiously, he approached the door. He pressed his ear to the smooth wood, and when he heard no sound from inside, he put his hand on the latch.
Heart pounding, he opened the door and stepped inside. There was no light at all in this room. Heavy black velvet draperies covered the windows. Crossing the floor, Naruto drew back the curtains, then turned and looked around. The room was empty.
Puzzled, he let the draperies fall back into place. Why had Sasuke forbidden him to come here? What possible reason could Sasuke have for not wanting him to see rooms filled with old furniture, or this empty tower?
From out of nowhere came the chilling sensation that he was not alone. Unreasoning panic rose up within him, driving him out of the room. Naruto ran down the hall, down the stairs, a silent sob rising in his throat as images of darkness and death swirled throughout his mind.
He ran blindly through the castle until he reached his chamber. Once inside, he locked the door, flung the windows wide. Sitting on the bed, he clutched a pillow to his chest and stared at the sunlight pouring through the window, hoping it would dispel the darkness that seemed to enfold him like thick black smoke, permeating his very soul. And in the centre of that darkness, he sensed a loneliness so deep it broke his heart.
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Sasuke sat across the table from Naruto, idly swirling the liquid in his goblet, watching the crystal catch the candlelight. "We're going to the opera next week. I want you to go out and buy something suitable to wear."
"My lord, surely I have no need of any more clothes." Naruto poked at his food.
"Do it to please me. Something blue, to match your eyes, I think."
"Very well, my lord, if it will please you."
"So, what did you do today?"
Naruto swallowed hard, his gaze sliding away from the other. "Today, my lord?"
"Yes, today."
"I ... uh Iruka brought me a new piece of music."
"Will you play it for me?"
"If you wish, though I've not yet mastered it." Naruto shrugged slightly.
"You are a most biddable creature, sweet Naruto."
"My lord?" Naruto looked at Sasuke curiously, not knowing if the man was praising him or complaining.
Sasuke considered Naruto over the rim of his glass. He had never kept someone who was so agreeable, one who asked for nothing, who seemed to take genuine pleasure in his company. It stroked his male vanity to think the blond cared for him, even a little. Others had done his bidding, but he had been ever aware of the fear in their eyes, the lust for what his wealth could buy. He had given them whatever they asked for, had smothered them in gifts— jewels, furs, high quality clothing—deeming it a small price to pay for what he took.
He tilted his head to one side, regarding the blond through half lowered lids. He had sensed Naruto’s presence in the tower, had smelled the lingering fragrance of his unique scent, his very essence, when he woke that evening. He had never kept someone who dared defy him. For that act of courage, he would buy Naruto a sapphire to match his new attire.
Fear rose up in Naruto’s throat. Sasuke knows, he thought frantically. Knows what I've done, and now he'll punish me.
"You've been here some time now," Sasuke remarked in that same deceptively mild voice.
"Yes.”
"I trust you've gone exploring." His eyes never strayed off the blond.
"You said I might have the run of the castle, my lord," Naruto replied, a definite quaver in his voice.
"So I did. Save for the east tower." Naruto nodded, unable to speak past the fear coagulating in his throat. "You remember my warning?"
Naruto nodded, then crossed his arms lest Sasuke see him trembling.
"See that you do not disregard my wishes again.” Sasuke smiled at the blond over the rim of his goblet as he drained the glass. Rising, he offered his hand. "Come," he said. "I wish you to play for me."
"Thank you, my lord."
His brow lifted in a gesture Naruto had come to recognize as mild amusement. "For what, my sweet Naruto?"
"For not being angry with me. For being so…kind.” Naruto bit his lip once more.
"Kind?" Sasuke laughed softly, the rich full sound filling Naruto with sensual pleasure. "Of truth, no one has ever called me that before."
"Indeed, my lord?"
"Indeed, my sweet."
"Then I shall do so often, if it would please you." Naruto smiled shyly.
"You please me," Sasuke replied huskily.
And so saying, he lowered his head and covered Naruto’s mouth with his, kissing the blond with an intensity that drained the strength from his limbs even as it seemed to draw all the air from his lungs. Naruto stared up at him, feeling strangely light headed, when Sasuke drew his lips away.
Sasuke smiled down at him, his dark eyes burning. "Never doubt that you please me very well."
Long after Sasuke had left, Naruto could feel the heat of his lips, the urgent hardness of Sasuke's body against his own. Though Naruto had never known either man or woman, he was not totally ignorant in the ways of men and women, but he had never dreamed that such pleasure was part of it.
Earlier, Sasuke had listened to him play, dismissing any mistakes with a wave of his hand. It had been an easy piece; normally, Naruto would have played it without hesitation. But he couldn't forget Sasuke’s touch, couldn't keep himself from trembling with the memory of being in Sasuke’s arms... Even now, it seemed as if the imprint of the dark lord's long hardened lean body had been burned into his skin. He felt his cheeks flush with heat now, with the mere memory.
In his room, he easily slipped into his nightshirt and slipped into bed. He dreamed of Sasuke that night, dreamed that he was there, in his room, sitting beside him on the bed, his dark cloak floating over his body like a shroud as Sasuke leaned over his body. In the uncertain light of the room, Sasuke’s eyes seemed to glow like smouldering coals. He felt Sasuke’s hands grip his shoulders, felt lips at his throat, felt the familiar lassitude steal over him as Sasuke’s teeth grazed the tender skin of his neck. Sensual pleasure mingled with pain. A soft moan escaped his lips while hands tightened on his arms.
And then there was his smooth baritone voice, whispering. "Only a dream, sweet Naruto," he murmured, his voice hypnotising him with its power. "Only a dream.”
His eyelids fluttered down, but not before he saw Sasuke rise from the bed like a dark mist. He blinked once, and Sasuke was gone, as if he'd never been there.
But, of course, it was only a dream.