Work Text:
Naruto’s marriage has come to the point where the two of them do nothing but ignore each other. They’ve been together too long and everything has become a dull routine. Work keeps him busy, eating his free time more and more, and when he is home, nothing exciting happens between them anymore. It doesn’t help that the love of his life feels the same, doing absolutely nothing to mend their awkward silences. They sleep back to back, a significant amount of space between them, and their sex life, well, it’s non-existent.
As much as Naruto is the type to endure hardships, he’s at his wit's end.
It’s early morning and Naruto is reading the newspaper, mug of coffee in hand and spouse already off to work. He usually takes his time in the mornings since he doesn’t start work until ten. His favorite segment is the comics. They’re funny, sometimes corny, but most of the time witty. Today, though, he wasn’t made aware that there’d be a change in the pages, and instead of the usual cartoon drawings, he is now looking at dating ads. Normally, Naruto wouldn’t even spare a glance concerning these types of things, but somehow curiosity gets the best of him. He reads through a few and one catches his attention like a fire lit in the dark.
Need an escape? I love walks on the beach, tequila rose, and romantic candlelight dinners.
-S
‘An escape, huh?’ He thinks.
Naruto ponders about it for a moment before looking up to the wall clock ticking mindlessly above the door frame connecting the living room to the kitchen. He has about roughly an hour before work starts, so he quickly searches for a pen and paper and takes a chance. Something he hasn’t done in a long time.
Dear S,
I do love walks on the beach and sweet drinks. Romantic dinners are a guilty pleasure, and more. ;) I think I'm the guy you’re looking for. Shall we meet?
-N
On his way to work, Naruto drops by the local newspaper office and requests for his response to be put up. Shikamaru, his long-time friend who has a high position in said paper office, tells him how troublesome he and his love life is but promises to put it up anyway. For the first time in a while, Naruto’s heart picks up its pace.
Sasuke’s married life, as well as his sex life, have been on a standstill and it’s driving him insane. What once was so romantic and passionate just died like a candle blown out at a birthday party. Writing that ad honestly made him feel guilty, but he felt it necessary. He wouldn’t cheat, and he promised himself if sparks fly with someone else, he would come clean and end his stale marriage.
Once he arrives at his office, he requests for Suigetsu, his subordinate, to give him a copy of today’s paper. The man grumbles discontentedly but hands him the newspaper anyway. Sasuke quickly opens it up to the segment where he’d posted an ad the previous week. His heart races when he sees a reply. Someone had actually wanted to meet with him, and the thought excited him. This could be something that could take him away from the mind numbing daily routine he has. Sasuke quickly makes a note out on the time and place of where they were going to meet, and as he pens a response, excitement he hasn’t felt in a long time courses through his veins.
The Marina, 7PM. Don’t be late.
-S
Naruto applies gel to his hair to make it presentable, giving backwards glances to the closed bathroom door. He could hear water running and hopes his spouse would take another hour like usual to get ready, if only to avoid all the questioning as to where he’s going and what he’s doing.
“I’m heading out!”
As expected, there isn’t a reply and Naruto feels some slight remorse. He quickly shakes it off.
This is his confirmation whether it’s even worth saving his marriage or not. He quickly heads out to the arranged meeting place, parking his car in an empty slot at the parking lot and entering the restaurant. His date hasn’t arrived yet, so he takes a seat at the table the hostess designated for him. It has a nice romantic feel to it, and to top it all off, the view of the beach is stunning from where he’s seated. The waves slowly move against the shore, the moonlight reflected on the water. Naruto takes a deep breath, taking in the salty air to try and calm his nerves.
As he waits, Naruto toys with the napkin on the table with his finger, a nervous habit he’s had since he was a kid. He checks his wrist watch and realizes his date is already twenty minutes late.
‘So much for ‘Don’t be late’.’
He thinks maybe he’s being stood up, and maybe this was an absolutely idiotic idea after all, but before he could jump to stupid conclusions and run with his tail between his legs, a handsome man with dark hair walks towards the table. Onyx hues meet his own ocean blue gaze.
He knows that smug smile in an instant. The high cheekbones and gorgeous face, as well as the dark lashes that frame his almond eyes. When the dark haired man closes the distance to the table, all he says is:
“Oh, it’s you.”
Naruto gives a genuine snort of laughter. “Oh my god, what are the fuckin’ odds?”
Sasuke takes a seat but his eyes never leave Naruto’s own. There’s mirth in those blue orbs and he himself can’t help the laughter that bubbles up in his throat.
“Romantic dinner, check.” Naruto says. “I never knew you liked tequila rose. I thought you hated sweet things.”
“Who do you think finished the bottle in the fridge last month?”
They give each other another stare down before Naruto pulls his chair so he’s sitting right next to Sasuke, moving his hand over the table to hold his hand. Sasuke, with so much familiarity, slips his fingers through Naruto’s. He notices that neither of them are wearing their wedding rings and guilt surges through him at what he was even attempting to do tonight.
Before he could think further, Naruto’s grin catches his attention and he looks up in time for the blonde to reach a finger beneath the neckline of his shirt. He gives a gentle pull at his necklace until a golden ring reveals itself.
“Wondering where this was?” Naruto says and Sasuke rolls his eyes and shakes his head.
“I have mine, too.” He says, reaching into his pocket and revealing the ring in his open palm a short moment later.
Without another word, Naruto takes the ring from Sasuke and unlaces their fingers. He then, just like he did on that altar seven years ago, puts the ring on Sasuke’s left ring finger.
“Looks like we have a lot of shit to work on.” Naruto says, kissing Sasuke’s temple.
“Yeah, a crap ton.” Sasuke agrees.
“Tonight, though…” Naruto starts, a grin spreading on his handsome face as he turns to Sasuke. “Hey, I’m Naruto.”
“Hey.” Sasuke says breathlessly. “Sasuke.”
“Sasuke, huh? Heard you like walks on the beach. How about you and me take a nice stroll after our oh so romantic dinner?”
“Holy fuck, you are terrible at this.” Sasuke laughs. ”There will definitely be no second date.”
“Well, it’s a good thing we’re fucking married then.” Naruto bites back with a smile.
They look into each other’s eyes, getting lost in them for a moment before they’re leaning in and sharing a sensual kiss. Lips and tongues explore familiar territory, and somewhere in it, they wonder why they even let their spark dim. When they part, Sasuke smirks as he slowly opens his eyes to look at Naruto. The blonde mirrors him.
“Can we start over?” Naruto says.
“Seven years is a lot to re-do.”
“I’ll be fine as long as it’s with you.”
“Hn.”
Naruto leans in once more to capture his lips in a chaste kiss.
“Why don’t we skip the romantic dinner and go straight to the part where I make you scream my name in our room?” Naruto whispers.
“Wow, you are absolutely killing this dating thing.” Sasuke responds sarcastically, but the smile on his face betrays the attempt of sting in his words.
“What can I say? I’m a natural.”
Sasuke playfully rolls his eyes.
“Fine, but you owe me something romantic tomorrow.”
“Baby, I will buy you flowers and walk hand in hand on the beach with you every damn day if it means making you happy.” Naruto says with a serious expression and Sasuke’s heart beats wildly in his chest.
Without another word, Sasuke gets up, leaves money on the table, and takes Naruto’s hand as they quickly leave the restaurant. He knows they have so much to work on, so many can of worms to open up, but for now, he’s content with being bent over every surface in their damn house and writhing in the absolute bliss he’s missed so damn much.
Yeah, the problems can definitely wait.