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To others, it would seem as if Sasuke and Naruto's relationship is too complicated. An Uchiha, a man born with unquestionable authority, partnering with a rather simple man, who knows so little of his own blood.
To most, it's ridiculous, shameful even, when they're seen together. Sasuke Uchiha has an appearance to keep, a colorless voice, always so demanding. A tall, intimidatingly handsome man, contrary to Naruto's friendly, sun-kissed skin. A mouthy gentleman, an only child who clearly showed it on his mannerisms; forceful, yet kind. Never quite fitting in with his parent's footprints.
To compare Naruto and Sasuke is an offense, because they both have different kinds of greediness. Perhaps this is why they fit nicely into each other's lives.
They weren't friends in the first place, nor anything of the like. As children, they were close enough to be considered rivals, always at each other's neck, but never quite to call each other's name carelessly.
As they grew up, joined by the hips, Sasuke became uncertain about their relationship and its definition. Sure, they basically lived together, slept together countless times, figuratively and literally, got to know each other's friends, never eating dinner without the other's presence, and yet, Naruto was someone untouchable.
He wouldn't call it love, either, because Naruto still sleeps with other people, caring little if they're women or men, and Sasuke does it too. After so many years together, to call it lust it's too harsh, too stony-hearted.
Still, Sasuke stays by Naruto's side. The child of the prophecy is successful, never stops chasing after whatever he wants, even if it's on a whim. Sasuke doesn't know what love is, but if he has to define it, he would say it's close to respect.
Fugaku and Mikoto, his parents, show respect towards each other, calmly resolving the hardships they go through, and Sasuke follows their example, at face value;
so he has nothing else to do but to show respect for the blond man, like a servant on his knees, waiting for a command when Naruto finally becomes everything he's wanted, a hokage.
Sasuke Uchiha lives up to his father's name, grows up into a man with prodigious mind and talent, but he's reserved when it comes to the seventh hokage. He doesn't dare to point out the feelings he has for a man who works day and night, the man who owns his complete devotion.
It is said if you forbid anything loudly enough, it's bound to come back to haunt you. The dark, blue-haired man refuses to admit it, closing his fist around his shaft as he shudders and comes while thinking about Naruto's ringing voice.
He sucks in his teeth when Naruto marries a woman, after being invited to the wedding. A wise, soft-spoken woman, who comes from a respected and well-off clan. It's good, he admits in defeat, for Naruto's political power. He wonders, for a moment, if being a woman from the Uchiha clan would've been better, then reprimands himself for even entertaining the thought.
For the most part, Sasuke keeps the desires he has for himself. This time, though, watching as the couple hold hands and kiss when they're officially married, he can't exactly pinpoint the ache he feels in his chest. It's a cruel reminder of every feeling he has buried and hid away.
To be by Naruto's side, even as a lackey, as a mere childhood friend, no matter what, it's still a good feeling to be found useful, essential in Naruto's energising, entertaining life. There is nothing else he could ask for.
Lies, of course. Sasuke Uchiha has always been a liar; when Fugaku asks if he plans on marrying a woman soon, Sasuke says yes. When Itachi sees through him, asking "Are you in love with Naruto?" Sasuke says no.
When Sakura repeats herself over and over, even if Ino has already found a man she's in love with and so did Temari, Sasuke answers to her proposals with a calm, almost condescending voice, I'm not interested in you at the moment.
This, too, ends up being a terrible, painful lie. Sasuke sleeps with Sakura during a maddening afternoon, after fighting or, as Sakura says, dueling in front of a cave. It's barely enjoyable, skin feeling two sizes smaller than he truly is as he touches the pink-haired woman's supple breasts, cringing at himself for lying again.
The house (Sasuke being the rightful and sole owner, after earning money to pay for it) is silent for two months straight. Always has been, with the exceptions of Naruto crashing in as if it's his own shitty apartment, but this time the silence is telling, consuming. Sasuke isn't used to it.
Makoto, the mother of the Uchiha's most famous brothers, asks again about marriage. The Uchiha family is conservative, set in one's ways, unforgiving. Sasuke is twenty-three by now, Itachi has long married a shy girl named Izumi.
The question is asked again barely a week after Sakura visits his house and gives him the notice they're (they're, as in counting Sasuke) waiting for a baby. Sasuke lies, lies and wishes for his tongue to get cut off when he says, Yes, I'm marrying soon.
Naruto receives the news, too. It's no surprise, considering Naruto has been Sakura's best friend for as many years as Sasuke has been in love with the blond man. The smile Naruto wears on his face is devastating, shows teeth and he's not even embarrassed about it.
Many things are discussed when Sasuke appears in the hokage's office after nearly a month of hiding. Naruto greets the dark-haired man, congratulates him (Sasuke wants to throw up, get on his knees and tell him Sakura's wrong, he's all Naruto's property) and starts talking about missions, finances and names for newborns.
Sasuke never wishes to have children, but he's sure he's going to, so he listens carefully. Naruto is terrible at choosing names for infants. Who would name a newborn Minai?
The wedding is done three months later in a private area, when Sakura's carrying a child of almost three months. There is a slight bump in her belly and they live together now. He is congratulated by his parents after the ceremony.
Naruto doesn't send Sasuke on long-term missions anymore. The blond man confesses Hinata, from Hyuuga's clan, is also bearing his children. At the same time. He wishes Naruto all the best, and tells him to stop picking such crappy names for children.
Then everything clicks. That's why Naruto has an entire page for children's names on a supposedly ninja scroll. He's preparing, too. To be a father.
Sasuke doesn't cry. He isn't used to it, it's humiliating. Lately, he doesn't have the time to do it either.
Five months pass by. It's autumn, leaves fall from trees, yet he can't let go of these useless feelings. The days get shorter and the air is chilly. Then winter presents itself, an icy weather in which he spends the time with Sakura, almost caringly. He isn't warmhearted, neither cruel.
Spring is hellish, even if it's a lovely season. Naruto's first child is born first, he's named Boruto. Few days later, his child is born. She is pale, undoubtedly a part of the Uchiha's, and a woman named Karin gives her a name, Sarada.
After Sarada is born in the outskirts of Konoha, he visits to see the baby at least one single time before fleeing for a mission. It's important, on top of that. Sasuke has the perfect excuse to disappear out of their life. At least he has settled down.
When he goes on this particularly long expedition, Sasuke doesn't foresee how fast the time passes by, the homesickness and the exceptionally good memory the Uchiha's tend to have.
During some days there are dreams, wet dreams, of Naruto's slightly chapped lips, rough yet tender hands and the out-of-nowhere confidence the blond man has since forever. In others, he's crying as he is forgotten, as he becomes useless because of the family he doesn't want to have.
Somehow, Sasuke manages to forget the way home when he's back to the village years, years later. But he doesn't forget the way to the Hokage's office, faithful as he has always been.