Paper Dance

The Moon and The Sun 

Sasuke begrudgingly shoved Sakura’s face out of his sight, making Sakura gape at him. For the past month, Sasuke tried avoiding Naruto as he wanted but Naruto just found his own way to glue himself to Sasuke.

Sasuke painfully accepted and admitted to himself that he likes Naruto so much.

Like he is head over heels to the blond to the point he keeps on dreaming Naruto’s confession. Yes, dreaming. Naruto’s confession was just a dream! Like a fucking dream! He was totally devastated. He was disappointed that it was just a dream, Naruto saying he loves Sasuke. It was just a fucking dream, and Sasuke cannot just ignore the ache he felt that day. Well, till this day actually.

His Father also added some fuel to the fire, totally ruining his day. Until now he can’t forget his and Fugaku’s conversation during their breakfast that day.

“Sasuke, how’s your school?” Fugaku asks suddenly, Sasuke straightens his back and wipes the side of his lips with his table napkin.

“Still standing and built-well, Father.” Sasuke answered, his Mother wasn’t expecting that, nor his brother, Itachi bit the insides of his mouth to prevent himself from laughing, but Fugaku didn’t mind his reply, surprisingly.

“I am expecting you to do well in your studies Sasuke, I want you to be like your brother. Look at him now, successful. Don’t be a brat and take your studies seriously.” Fugaku with his stoic face said sternly.

“Sasuke’s always been the first in his class, Dear. Of course he is doing a good job.” Mikoto interjects, smiling at Sasuke and Sasuke just looks at his mom. Hurt by his Father’s words. Can’t he just acknowledge me as his second son?

Remembering how his Father always compares Sasuke to his brother everytime, every single time, it made him sad, made him hate his brother a little for being perfect and for always being good at everything. Don’t get him wrong, he has always loved his brother, he will always love his brother, but he can’t also deny the fact that a small hate grew. And Itachi is aware of it. But Itachi loved him nonetheless.

“Even if you hate me, I love you. Always.” Itachi’s exact words.

And that made Sasuke feel guilty for hating his brother, all his brother did was to love and protect him and yet.

But can you really blame him?

“Follow your brother’s footsteps, look at him,always doing good, failure is not an option to him, so do that too.”

“Don’t disappoint me, Sasuke, be like your brother Itachi. Perfect.”

“Is that all you got, Sasuke? Itachi can do better than that.”

“Just as I thought, you are not like Itachi.”

Will there ever be a day when his Father saw him as his second son?, will there ever be a day when his Father will utter those, ‘As expected of my son,’ to him?

Will there?----

“WHAT WAS THAT YOU ASSHOLE!” Sakura’s hard punch at the back of his head brought him back to reality, he glared at Sakura but Sakura just glared at him back.

“You were asking about me and Naruto, so I had to shove you away. You’re so annoying.” Sasuke said, frowning.

Everyone’s always asking him about his and Naruto’s status as if he and Naruto confessed to each other---well they kind of--- but of course, in his dreams. Sasuke smacks himself.

Why the hell would Naruto confess to him? He doesn’t even like Sasuke.

To him, Sasuke is just his friend. Nothing more, Nothing less.

But Sasuke couldn’t just ignore his feelings for the blond, he just----he just like Naruto. But he knows that Naruto will never like him back. He likes Hinata, that’s so clear. Clear as the water, clear as the crystal. Naruto would never like him . And it hurts.

Sasuke widens his eyes with horror. Oh my God. He can’t accept the fact that he was pining for Naruto! He is an Uchiha! This is not an Uchiha-ish thing.

“Sasuke-kun?” Sakura must’ve noticed his despair. He looked at Sakura, pain evident in his eyes. Sasuke’s avoiding Naruto as much as he can because he doesn’t want Naruto to know what he feels for him, he doesn’t want Naruto to be disgusted by him. He can’t imagine living his life with  Naruto hating him.

“Sasuke-kun, why don’t you confess to Naruto about your feelings?” Sakura said, patting his shoulder to soothe him.

“Why don’t you confess to Ino then?” Sasuke retracted making Sakura flustered moving away from Sasuke immediately

“W-well…T-that’s---I—I …Ugh! I hate you.” Sakura rolled her eyes making Sasuke raise a brow at her

“I don’t want her to hate me,” Sakura whispered, looking down on her hands and Sasuke intertwined his to Sakura’s.

“Now, you have your answer to your question.” Sasuke said

“I don’t deserve him you know, well, it's not like he’ll ever like me back. I am worthless, to my father. I don’t deserve him, he doesn’t deserve someone who’s worthless. He deserve the world, and Hinata is the only one who can give him that.” Sasuke continued, making Sakura frown and glare at Sasuke who’s looking at the distance, pain, longing, and emptiness can be found in his eyes.

“You’re the number one student in our batch but love can really make you dumb huh,” Sakura teased squeezing Sasuke’s hand, Sasuke didn’t mind her though

“You’re so lucky you know, you say that you are worthless but everytime I see Naruto staring at you, it seems to me that to him, you are worth more than anything in this world. He got that dreamy look on his face while staring at you, as if you put the stars in the galaxy, as if you are the full moon displaying its own beauty in the dark sky.” Sakura smiled, remembering the times she caught Naruto staring at Sasuke, how Naruto would always make sure that Sasuke’s within the range of his sight, smiling so stupidly when Sasuke would smile at Naruto’s joke.

Their little pining game is too much for Sakura, not only with her though. She’s sure Kiba and Shikamaru are annoyed by now. Knowing Naruto he would talk for hours about Sasuke to his friends. He just likes Sasuke so much, too. So hers and Sasuke’s situation is so different.

“Yo!” Sakura shook her head when Naruto suddenly sat beside Sasuke, making sure that there’s no space left between them, and while Sakura and Sasuke’s hands were intertwined, she felt her friend flinch so slightly causing her to chuckle.

Naruto’s smile is much brighter than the sun, he has that warmth that you can surprisingly find comforting—and home—for Sasuke of course. But Naruto’s smile faltered when he saw Sakura and Sasuke’s hands. He cleared his throat and  distanced himself from Sasuke a little bit, and Sasuke was confused by the action—actually---hating the small distance between him and Naruto.

“Naruto,” Sakura called him out, Naruto looked at her and showed her his big grin—which is fake of course.

“I just want you to remember that Sasuke-kun and I are just best of friends,” she winked at Naruto and let go of Sasuke’s hand, Sasuke arched his brow at her when she stood up and gathered her belongings. Sakura hates to become the third wheel.

“What did she mean?” Naruto asks Sasuke when she left, they look at her until she’s out of their vision. They’re currently sitting at the park of their campus, and don't have a class for three hours due to the absence of their subject teacher.

“Who knows,” was the only answer he got from Sasuke, Sasuke busied himself highlighting his book without actually reading what he was highlighting, he just wanted some distraction. He needs to calm his heart down.

“You know, Sakura-chan is so cute.” Naruto suddenly said, making Sasuke flinch, I thought you like Hinata?, Sasuke said to himself.

“I thought shy girls are your type,” he said, not noticing the frown Naruto is giving him.

“Hinata, isn’t she your type?” Sasuke continued, making his own heart ache.

“Did you already confess to her?” Sasuke asks again, he doesn't know where this all is coming from but he knows he needs to stop. He is digging his own grave.

“What?” Naruto dumbly asks him back

“It’s true that I like shy people, and it’s also  true that dark-haired people are my type.” And with that, Sasuke’s heart shattered.

“Hinata huh,” Naruto trailed off, making Sasuke look at him, but then, Sasuke regretted it when he saw the dreamy look Naruto was making when he said the Hyuga girl’s name.

“So, you’re jealous of Hinata?” Sasuke’s eyes widened when Naruto’s electric blue eyes caught his ebony ones, and most importantly, did Naruto just point out that he is jealous---was jealous of Hinata?

“W-ha---That’s----What---“ Sasuke couldn’t form his reply because of how intense Naruto was looking at him, he felt like he can’t like—that he is not allowed to like because Naruto can see through him---which he probably does.

“I like you, you know.” Naruto said while staring intently in Sasuke’s eyes. It took Sasuke a minute or two before he answered, he was shocked—surprised. 

“I know, you’re not really subtle with it. You suck at hiding.” Sasuke answered and Naruto raised one of his blond eyebrows. 

“Then why are you denying it if you already know what I feel about you?” Naruto asks, making Sasuke widen his eyes, taken aback, yes he definitely feels that Naruto likes him—but he has his doubts—-his own insecurities.

“Why are you running away from my feelings for you, Sasuke?” 

That question made Sasuke flinch, it hit him hard. Why is he indeed running away? Was it just really because of his feeling that he is not worthy of Naruto? His fear that Naruto might not really like him like how Sasuke likes him? 

“Am I…Am I really that disgraceful? Unlikeable? Too stupid and imperfect for you to be proud of to like?” Naruto voiced out his insecurities just like that, which Sasuke couldn’t. 

“Usuratonkachi. Even if you don’t do anything yet, I am proud of you. I’ve already said that right?” Sasuke finally looked Naruto in the eye, pure and genuine sincerity can be seen in his eyes. 

“Then why are you running away?” 

“Because I don’t deserve you, Naruto.” he answered Naruto, pain was evident in his onyx eyes, and Naruto’s cerulean blue eyes widened but later on softened as soon as he realized Sasuke’s unspoken insecurities.

“Sasuke. Let’s just stop this pining little game we have.” Naruto said, smiling softly with a small blush. Sasuke’s pupils dilated, his ears turning in crimson red but his face remained stoic as ever, but Naruto knew him better.

Sasuke knew Naruto liked him the moment they danced from that festival night, Naruto’s eyes held so much emotion to the point Sasuke could tell what Naruto was trying to say without actually Naruto voicing them out.

And Naruto also knew that Sasuke was afraid. He also knew that Sasuke liked him but something was holding him back. They both guessed that maybe between them, they don’t need any words to spill, because their hearts and feelings are connected. 

Because they are soulmates. Their souls are bound together. 

And no matter how Sasuke denies everything, Naruto and him are connected. And Naruto likes him and he likes him too. So much. 

“I’m losing every cell in my brain everytime I’m with you,” Sasuke tsked after his five minutes of silence, and Naruto gaped at him, but smirks afterwards.

“What a nice way to say you like me, Sasuke.” Naruto replied, pouting a little and rolled his eyes at the raven–which Sasuke found cute—he truly likes Naruto— yeah…he truly likes him.

“Does that mean…” Naruto trailed off

“Hn, but can we keep it a secret for awhile?.....I know I am asking too much—” Sasuke started to panic, his heart earlier was racing because of being excited being together with Naruto but was replaced soon enough with fear that his Father would know about his relationship with Naruto.

“Calm Down, I understand, Sas. It’s okay” Naruto smiled at him and then he intertwined their hands. 

They both did not say a thing, they just kept their hands intertwined and mouth shut. But the happiness that is radiating from them speaks that something good has happened to both of them.

Finally, the moon and the sun collide.

By the time they are allowed to go home, Naruto took Sasuke outside of their campus and waited for Itachi to come and picked Sasuke up, but while Itachi hasn’t arrived yet they talk about random things, and while it was Sasuke’s turn to talk about his favorite book, he couldn't help but notice the way Naruto was looking at him. His eyes were truly expressive as Naruto had said earlier. 

“The main character has the same name as yours,” Sasuke said, smiling a bit, and Naruto was about to reply when Itachi beeped in front of them.

“Hey, Sasuke.” Itachi greeted Sasuke, not really hiding his smirk.

“Nii-san.” Sasuke said, flinching when his big brother stopped in front of them. He is scared. He is afraid his brother will notice the changes between him and Naruto. But, it is Itachi, Sasuke’s Big Brother. So, he took a deep breath.

“This is Naruto , Nii-san.” He gestured to Naruto, it was stupid, really, Itachi already knew Naruto, but this is how Sasuke wants to let Itachi know that he and Naruto are dating. 

“Hn, nice to meet you, Naruto-kun. ” Itachi said, smiling while looking at Sasuke, and Naruto was confused but still waved at Itachi. 

“Let’s go, little brother.” Itachi said and Sasuke nodded, he looks at Naruto and smiled at him, 

“I’ll see you tomorrow.” Naruto said he held Sasuke’s hands, hiding it behind his bag that he is holding, but nothing escapes in Itachi’s eyes, he still saw it but said nothing.

“Why don’t you give your boyfriend a goodbye kiss, foolish little brother?” Itachi teased, making both boys turn red. Sasuke let Naruto’s hands go and turned his back against him, trying to hide how his face turned red just like his favorite food–tomato. 

“I’ll see you tomorrow, Usuratonkachi.” And with that Sasuke hopped in, and Itachi drove off. 

“Nii-san,” Sasuke whispered but enough for Itachi to hear

“Don’t worry, I am not mad, in fact, I am proud of you. Knowing you, you have lots of doubts which can hold you back to accept what you and Naruto feel with each other.” Itachi simply said, and Sasuke just shut his mouth, silently thanking his big brother for being supportive and understanding. 

“So, have you and Naruto kissed already?” Itachi asks, and Sasuke’s face turned red once again. 

“I hate you,” 

“THAT’S GOOD ITACHI, AS EXPECTED OF MY SON.” Fugaku said after Itachi reported his work duties to their father who called them to talk, Sasuke just hang his head low the entire time, because he is sure that Fugaku doesn’t even want to hear a thing from him. 

The jealousy he felt after his father once again said “as expected of my son” to Itachi, he’s hurt. And just wanted to go to his room and sleep or maybe talk to Naruto for awhile. 

“You may leave now, Itachi.” That caught Sasuke’s attention, it was always him who his father wanted to leave the room, but now. 

It made Sasuke tremble, but good thing he knew how to hide it and remain his stoic face, did he do something wrong again? Will his father be mad at him again? Did he—did he found out about his and Naruto’s realtionship?

“But–” Itachi interjects but was cut off by Fugaku’s voice. 

“Itachi.” 

“Yes, Father.” With that, Itachi stood up hesitantly, looking back at Sasuke and opened the door to leave. Silence. Fugaku did not speak. And Sasuke too. 

“I know what I am going to say now won’t change what I did to you for years. Me being strict to you, always forcing you to do things you don’t want to do, always comparing you to Itachi, and letting you feel I don’t recognize you as my son.” After five minutes of silence, his father spoke, and Sasuke looked up to his father, and he flinched when he saw the sincerity and pain in his eyes. 

“I forbid you to have your friends, not letting you to have fun when you are supposed yo have fun just like other teengers in your age. But I have reasons for that matter, but it still doesn’t change the fact that I was harsh and strict to you. I just don’t want to see you cry again just like the time when Neji left you. As your father, I don’t want to see any of my child being hurt, it was heart breaking. And I pushed you to do things you don’t want, because I want to hone you in the harsh way, I don’t want other people to look down on you and just see you as Itachi’s shadow, that’s why I wanted you to excel at everything, for them to see that what Itachi can do, you can too.” Fugaku continued, his eyes turned glassy, and Sasuke couldn’t speak. He was imobile. He was shocked. 

“This is our little secret, your Father always talks about Itachi a lot in public but when it was just me and him alone, he only speaks about you, about how amazing of a person you are.” 

He remembered his Mother’s words when he was a little, he didn’t believed it that time, but now, maybe his mother is telling the truth. 

“I’m sorry Sasuke. For everything.” Sasuke’s eyes widen, because he heard it, the pure sincerity can be heard in his father’s voice. He wanted to cry. 

“Even if I don’t say it, I am always proud of you, Sasuke, because you're my son too.” 

"Father," 

"You don't have to say anything, Sasuke. As long as you know that I am proud of you, then, that's more than enough. You may leave now." Sasuke nodded and stood up, he can't hold himself any longer, he wants to cry. He opened the door and closed it after he exited the room, he was surprised to see his big brother, he opened his arms for him and Sasuke just hugged his brother tight, letting his tears flow, and for the first time, he is not crying because of pain, but he is crying because of happiness. Itachi did not say anything so Sasuke assumed that he heard everything. Like everything. 

"There's something I wanted to tell to our father." Itachi said after ten minutes of Sasuke breaking down in his arms, Sasuke looked up to his brother, confused. Something? And why is Itachi trembling? Sasuke asks to himself. 

"Hm?" 

"Would you mind accompanying me inside?" Itachi, for the first time, look so nervous. But Sasuke did not say anything, he just nodded and let Itachi go. Itachi took a deep breath and opened the door, and after that Sasuke understood. Itachi is planning on telling their Father that he is gay. Sasuke is sure. 

"Father," Itachi said and went inside, and Sasuke followed. 

"Itachi?" Fugaku asks, he stopped on the middle of drinking his wine to look at his two sons, he was surprised, but didn't showed any signs. 

"There's something I've been meaning to tell you,"Itachi started, and that caught Fugaku's interest

"Hn. What is it?" Fugaku asks, patiently waiting for his son to speak up

"I....I am dating." Itachi said, and Fugaku nodded, raising  his brow, asking what was wrong. 

"I--" 

"I am dating a guy, father."  Sasuke interjects, making Itachi look at him with wide eyes. 

Sasuke knew it was a dumb idea to tell his father that he and Naruto are dating, considering the fact that they just talked earlier. But, the feeling of telling his father that he is dating Naruto is just too much, he doesn't want to hide Naruto in the closet. To say that Sasuke is scared was an understatement. He is fucking trembling, and his father.

\

His Father just remained unmoving, speechless, and face was unreadable. 

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