Trapped Inside

The next morning was rough for Sasuke. He woke up on the living room floor, with the front door in his reach. He fell asleep a few minutes after he finished crying. He was too broken to go to his room or to go anywhere. He couldn’t believe that after six years of unconditional love for Naruto, they had a very rough breakup. The break-up was bound to happen. Three years into the relationship and it was obvious that it wasn’t going to work out. But, Sasuke loved Naruto too much. He thought that he would finally have something to look forward to in the future.

Sasuke said multiple times that he was never going to forgive Naruto. But why did he want to forgive him so bad? Sasuke got up and dusted himself off. He wanted to get things done today. He wanted to breathe in the fresh spring air, buy vegetables at the farmer’s market, and get Naruto off his mind. He was too gorgeous and kind to be crying over a shitty dude.

Naruto was at work, trying to finish selling as many travel packages as he could. He sat there talking, with enthusiasm surrounding his words. Even though his voice was happy, he wasn’t. Sasuke was his first love. His first crush. His first kiss. His first everything. He ruined it just to be accepted. He decided to stop thinking about Sasuke and start thinking about money, he needs the money to raise his kid anyways.

Sasuke already left his apartment and started to make his way toward the market. He felt so relieved feeling the air fill his lungs. He felt light, like some kind of weight was lifted off his shoulders. Once he made it to the market, he was looking through the cabbage, carrots, onions, bell peppers, and tomatoes. He wanted to treat himself by making a delicious shrimp stir-fry. He was rummaging through the onions until he bumped into someone, making him drop his bag of carrots. He clicked his tongue and looked up. He saw one of his old classmates, Shikamaru (forgive me please readers, idk who to put 😭😭😭). Shikamaru is a handsome man. He’s tall, funny, and calm. Sasuke was shocked and started to scramble for his carrots.

“I’m really sorry about that,” said Sasuke.

“No, you’re fine. Wait, Sasuke is that you?” Sasuke’s eyes widened, he didn’t remember this man.

“Uh, yeah. You look familiar. Shikamaru, right?” Shikamaru smiled.

“Yeah, Shikamaru. I went to high school with you.” Sasuke smiled back.

“I knew it was you! You still have the ponytail and everything! You look good though,” Shikamaru blushed at Sasuke.

“Thank you. You look good too! Are you still dating Naruto?” Sasuke blushed then shook his head no.

“Oh, sorry for asking. I actually used to have a crush on you, hahaha. If that makes you feel any better.” Sasuke blushed even harder than the last time. He scratched the back of his neck, then smiled at Shikamaru.

“It actually does, thank you for that. Well, sorry again.” Sasuke started to walk away until Shikamaru grabbed his arm.

“Uh, do you want to walk around the market together? I’m getting pretty lonely out here.”

“I’m really sorry, but maybe next time.” Shikamaru frowned and then nodded. Sasuke ripped out a page of his to-do list book and started to scribble something down.

“Here,” Sasuke said. “I wrote down my phone number because I want you to know that there will be a next time. It was great talking to you. Don’t forget to text me, or call me.” Shikamaru flashed him a smile and Sasuke smiled back.

Sasuke started to walk away. He was happy that he never thought about Naruto once, even though he was brought up. Maybe this will be the start of his healing process. Reunite with old friends to take his mind off of Naruto.

Shikamaru watched Sasuke walk away. Shikamaru walked the opposite way, clutching the piece of paper in his hand. He smiled, gripping the paper so he wouldn’t lose it. He was glad to see Sasuke. After all those years of watching him smile at someone else, he was happy Sasuke smiled at him.

“I did it,” Sasuke thought to himself, “I did something that I never thought I would do.” Sasuke was so happy when he got home. He was in a good mood. He hummed happily while chopping up vegetables and preparing rice for one.

*ding*

Sasuke got scared by the noise, so he went to go see what it was. He was relieved to know that it was just his cellphone. When he picked it up, he saw that he got a text from an unknown number.

‘hey, I just got home, but I was just so excited to text you. bumping into you was probably the best thing that ever happened to me. i was wondering if you wanted to get coffee tomorrow? anytime works for me.’ ♡ shikamaru

Sasuke smiled. He immediately texted back.
‘hi i would love to get coffee with you tomorrow. maybe around 4? we can meet at the coffee place by the farmer’s market. i will see you tomorrow. good night ♡

Sasuke set his phone down and continued to make his dinner. When he was done eating, he cleaned up and got ready for bed. He was really excited for tomorrow, hopefully it will blossom into something great. He hugged his pillow tightly and fell asleep instantly.

The next morning he woke up and started to get ready for work. He had to go straight to the coffee shop after work, so he decided to look as good as he could. He packed a travel deodorant and cologne. He left the house in a good mood, with a smile as bright as the sun.
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When he finished work, he ran downstairs quickly and started to make his way towards the coffee shop. He worked close by, so he might as well just walk there. When he got there, he saw Shikamaru standing with his back against his car. To Sasuke, Shikamaru looked so handsome and so bad ass. He calmly walked over to shikamaru and greeted him. They walked in together, and they chose to sit in a booth for two.

Shikamaru started the conversation. He asked Sasuke about his day and how nice he looked today. Sasuke blushed at everything Shikamaru said. After drinking two cups of tea, Sasuke needed to use the bathroom. He excused himself and made his way to the restroom. While walking there, someone opened the door in his face. Luckily, Sasuke was able to stop the door with his foot.

“I am so sorry sir,” said a familiar voice. Sasuke’s anger level wasn’t so high until he heard that voice.

“Oh my god,” Sasuke said softly. He felt his heart squeeze in his chest.

“Sasuke, it’s good to see you here.” Naruto said.

“I can’t say the same for you.” Then a little boy approached the restroom.

“Can you *f slurs* move, I needa take a piss.” Sasuke stared at disbelief in the kid’s choice of words. Who taught him these things? Suddenly Naruto grabbed the boy’s arm and started to talk to him.

“Hey kid. You better keep your voice down. I’m not even gay, do you want me to get killed?”

“I don’t know. I do know I have to pee,” the little boy yanked his arm away and went to use the restroom. Sasuke stared at Naruto in disbelief. ‘He only defended himself? Why not tell the kid that’s a bad word?’ Sasuke thought to himself.

“Sasuke, sorry about that kid.”

“The only person you should be apologizing for is yourself. How dare you let that kid walk away with saying that?!”

“It’s true though. I’m not gay, why should I be called that word for? You were just a phase. An experiment. A nothing.” Sasuke gasped in disbelief. Naruto’s eyes widened.

Sasuke started to tear up. He turned to walk away from Naruto until Naruto grabbed his arm.

“Sasuke wait-”
“No, leave me alone. I have someone I need to go back to.” Sasuke walked back to his table, Naruto following him.

“Sorry I took so long, there was a line.” Sasuke said to Shikamaru.

“That’s alright. Oh, hi Naruto.” Shikamaru said.

“Hi, so you’re seeing Sasuke?”

“I mean I guess, we’re just friends.”

“Does it worry you if we are more than friends?” Sasuke asked Naruto.

“No.”

“I mean I guess not, I was just an experiment. You’re not actually gay anyways.”

“I’m going to go, this seems personal.” Shikamaru says while scratching the back of his neck.

“I’ll go with you, I wanna go home too.” Sasuke links his arm with Shikamaru’s, Shikamaru plays along and removes his arm from Sasuke’s to put it around Sasuke’s waist. Sasuke gasps but walks out with Shikamaru.

Naruto felt defeated. He lost something that he swore he would never cry over if it got taken away from him. Naruto stood there in silence, feeling unstable and angry. He never thought that this would hurt more than the actual breakup.

Sasuke and Shikamaru hugged as soon as they walked past the doors of the cafe. Shikamaru held Sasuke’s face in his hands and brought it to his chest. Sasuke cried into Shikamaru’s chest, seeking comfort in someone he felt a great connection with. After he cried, he looked up at Shikamaru’s face. Shikamaru took Sasuke’s face again and kissed him gently. Although this was only their first date, they kissed.

Naruto watched as they kissed. He never thought he would see someone who could kiss Sasuke better than he could. Sasuke looked like he enjoyed it.

Instead of walking back to his car, Shikamaru asked Sasuke if he wanted a ride home. He said yes, with a big smile on his face. They left the cafe, while also leaving a broken heart behind. That broken heart belonged to Sasuke, because he finally found someone that could replace that broken heart of his.