As much as Sasuke's instincts want to deny it, there's something solid between him and Naruto. It manifested when Sasuke kissed him in the hallway when they were both panting and heaving from the chase. It was then that Sasuke knew he loved Naruto or at least cared for him.

This is a problem for past Sasuke, who still lingers in the back of Sasuke's mind. Past Sasuke doesn't care for anyone but himself. He hates the love that's blooming in new Sasuke's chest. He hates that the little ball of sunshine smiles, and new Sasuke develops something akin to butterflies and knots.

He hates love.

But new Sasuke loves it.

He accepts love with open arms since he hasn't had this feeling in so long. To love and be loved back. To love and have someone reciprocate those feelings. It's amazing.

He trusts this amazing feeling, and this time he promises not to mess it up.

...

"What?" Naruto mumbles, a bowl in his hand and flour covering his face. He decided that hand mixing the batter is better than using a machine, but in the process of that, he flicked flour all over his face.

Sasuke thinks it's cute.

Naruto pouts. "You've been staring at me for a while."

"Just thinking about how cute you look," Sasuke comments. The sincerity in his voice reaches Naruto's ears. "I mean, you're always cute but, I just imagine us living together and you cooking dinner and... Ah. Nevermind."

Naruto turns pink. He doesn't remember Sasuke being so gentle before, especially with his words. He's always snapping at people or spewing vulgarities. Mostly about how he wants to fuck Naruto, but nothing like this. Nothing like calling him cute with sincerity. Nothing like living together.

He wants to hear more about it, but something in him tells him to continue making this cake. To brush aside all the kind words Sasuke utters.

"Make the frosting," Naruto orders. "And find some pans so we can put this batter in."

Sasuke nods. He searches through the cabinets for a cake pan, while also looking for powdered sugar and more butter. He races throughout the kitchen, dropping off the cake pan on Naruto's work station, before scuttling to the large double-doored refrigerator to grab butter. After obtaining butter, he moves to a hanging cabinet where the cooks keep the dry ingredients, powdered sugar being one of them.

The idea of Naruto being his house husband replays in his mind. He'd come from a long day at work, slip off his shoes and loosen his tie. He'd go to kiss Naruto while his husband is making dinner. He'd hold Naruto's waist and bury his weary face into his shoulder and ask Naruto about his day. If he missed him and if they should go on vacation soon.

Sasuke wants this. But his old ways, how he self sabotages all of his relationships because he's scared of commitment and real intimacy.

"God, Sasuke!" Naruto huffs. His lips purse into a pout. "Stop staring!"

Sasuke blinks. He feels heat rise to his cheeks, and he coughs out an apology. "Sorry."

"What are you even thinking, anyways?" Naruto crosses his arms over his chest, watching as Sasuke dumps powdered sugar into a bowl. It's evident to Naruto that Sasuke never baked before. He didn't measure the sugar.

Sasuke clears his throat. "I was thinking that I don't want to mess this up."

Naruto smiles, trying not to laugh. "Well, maybe you should measure your ingredients first."

Sasuke peers at the boy across the kitchen, then back down at the bowl full of powdered sugar. "Ah. Right."

He wants to explain to Naruto that this isn't what he means. What Sasuke wants more than anything in the world is a stable and loving relationship.

And he sees that wish being fulfilled with Naruto.

Once again, Naruto feels Sasuke staring as he pops the cake batter into the oven. But this time, he brushes it off.

He's acting so weird. Naruto hums to himself while setting a timer.

"Should I help you with that?" Naruto asks, bring over the vanilla extract.

Sasuke nods, grimacing at his work. "Yeah, I don't really know what I'm doing. Haha."

Naruto laughs along with him. "Eh. So far, you're doing fine, but uh, this is gonna be a lot of frosting. Hope you have a sweet tooth."

Sasuke makes a not so pleasant face.

"I don't."

...

With the cake finished and heavily frosted, the two sit on the floor with two forks in their hands.

"You should get the first bite," Sasuke offers.

Naruto shakes his head. "No, you should."

"You're the one who made the cake."

"And you made the frosting."

"You helped me make it."

They go back and forth until they settle on an idea. The two of them eye the cake, digging into it with their forks. Naruto brings his fork to his lips, then stops.

He looks between his fork and Sasuke's mouth. And the offers it to him.

Sasuke blinks, looking at Naruto, offering him cake.

"You put yours in my mouth!" Naruto exclaims, innocently. Out of context, Sasuke would've thought about something lewd, but he pushes that thought aside. He offers his fork to Naruto.

Together, they bite on one another's fork. Naruto smiles through the mouthful of cake, and Sasuke casts his eyes away, too embarrassed to look at Naruto.

"Is it good?"

Sasuke nods. "Y-Yeah."

Naruto beams at the positive affirmation.

"You did really good on the frosting. It's super sweet."

Sasuke grimaces. "Yeah, I'm not much of sweet eater. But the cake isn't that sweet, so it balances out, I guess."

Naruto digs into the cake some more, not bothered that Sasuke's mouth, saliva, tongue, and teeth were on that fork. Sasuke stares at the fork he's holding, and it glimmers in the low lightening.

He smiles, scooping more came into the fork that Naruto's mouth was on. An indirect kiss after feeding one another? How intimate.

There's a fluttering in Sasuke's chest. He knows it's excitement, possibly love. He knows it's a feeling he's hasn't experienced in a while. A love he gave to someone long gone is now Naruto's to care for, to hold in his hands.

"Naruto," Sasuke begins, "I love you."

Naruto grins. "I know."

"Naruto?"

"Yes, Sasuke?"

"I don't want to mess this up."

There's silence for a long while, and Sasuke closes his eyes, hoping Naruto understands his words this time.

Naruto gazes at Sasuke's solemn face. He looks tired, lost too. He empathizes with him and puts on a brave face. He understands Sasuke's words and assumes that's what he meant last time too. He doesn't want to mess this up; what they have right now, in this moment. This blossoming flower on the tree of love, it's what Sasuke wants. He doesn't want it to be swept away because of a harsh storm---a harsh storm he'll possibly create. 

But Naruto doesn't believe that. This flower, through his hope, will see spring and last through the summer, fall, and winter.

"You won't, Sasuke." Naruto reaches over and holds Sasuke's hand. "You won't mess it up."

...

A/N: your dear author is a dumb ass bitch and wrote this in an hour.