"Are they dating? Are they dating?"

It's all Naruto hears for the past two weeks. Yes, lately, he's been hanging around Sasuke more often, and yes, he's also touching Sasuke more, but he's not dating him. Sasuke has shown a softer side to Naruto, expressing his need to fix all the mistakes he's made, and yes, that makes Naruto want to date him, but he'd rather take things slow.

They eased into friendship, and they can ease into dating.

So when a long weekend presents itself, Naruto has the idea to take Sasuke out on a date.

"Hey, Sasuke," Naruto says, doodling in the corner of his math homework. "Do you want to go on a date with me?"

"That's kind of a dumb question." Sasuke shifts around on Naruto's bed while the other sits comfortably on the floor. "Of course, I would."

Naruto grins. "Great! Cause I want to see Gaara's greenhouse, and I was thinking we could have a double date tomorrow!"

Sasuke feels a clenching sensation in his chest. A double date isn't what he expected. He wants to be alone with Naruto. "With who?"

Naruto grins, closing his math textbook and giving up on question nine. "Sai and Gaara have been dating for a little bit. I've already asked them."

Sasuke rolls his eyes. "Let me guess, Sai told you you're stupid for letting me closer to you, and Gaara said he doesn't care."

Naruto shakes his head. "Nah, they love the idea."

"Unexpected," Sasuke mumbles. "When are we going?"

"Tomorrow. I was hoping we'd spend the weekend over there," Naruto says. He stands up and sits next to Sasuke. "Gaara's older sister is going to pick us up."

"For now." Sasuke gives Naruto a devious smile. He takes the other's hand and pulls him down on the bed. "I get to have you to myself?"

Their lips near, and their eyes close. Naruto feels Sasuke's hand slide up his shirt; the warmth tingles his skin.

"Only if you give me the answer to question nine."

...

"Get in losers," Gaara's sister, Temari, snaps. "I don't got all day."

"Thanks, Temari," Gaara answers while popping the trunk. The group has their bags packed for the long weekend at Gaara's home. He throws in everyone's bags and gently places Saïx's art supplies on top of everything. He shuts the trunk and rounds the car.

"I wanna sit next to Gaara!" Sai exclaims while clinging to his boyfriend's arm.

"But I want to sit next to Naruto," Sasuke grumbles, to which Sai glares. Tension settles in the air.

"Unfortunately," Sai starts. A malicious smile spreads across his face. Sasuke knows an insult is coming, so he rolls his eyes. "Gaara and I have a real, romantic relationship, unlike you and the blond idiots over there. So, maybe your scummy self can stay away from him for about an hour."

"God, you're such a bitch," Sasuke hisses.

Sai grins wider. "I'm a brat, thank you very much. And Gaara isn't doing a very good job in taming me."

"Yet," Gaara mumbles.

The two continue to bicker, and neither Naruto nor Gaara have any will to stop it. Temari, on the other hand, doesn't care for their fighting. She revs the engine one good time and yells, "If you fucking twinks don't get in the damn car!!"

All four scramble to get in. Unfortunately, no one is sitting next to their desired person. Upfront in shotgun is Naruto, behind him is Sai. Sasuke sits in the middle, and behind Temari is Gaara.

It's going to be a long hour and a half.

The whole time, Temari blasts music to drown out the arguing of Sai and Sasuke. Anytime either one of them opens their mouth to speak, the other spews petty insults. It's annoying for all parties.

When they all arrive, Temari waits for the black gates to open while white-knuckling the steering wheel. Naruto stares in awe as they come up the long brick driveway. Temari comes to a stop after rounding the fountain, which isn't on at the moment, but if it was, clear water would be pouring from the dolphins' mouth. Surrounding the fountain in a star shape manner are sculpted bushes and pink and purple hydrangeas.

Naruto, still in amazement, exclaims, "You have a fountain?!"

"Who cares! Get out," Temari snaps. Although she isn't mad at Naruto, just the three in the back. Gaara wouldn't control his boyfriend---who might as well be a yipping, small dog---and Sasuke wouldn't shut up.

Sheepishly, the four exits the car. Gaara's the first to go to the trunk of the vehicle. Sasuke grabs onto Naruto's sleeve, silently expressing how much he needs his comfort. Sai does something similar, but Gaara isn't having it.

"You have embarrassed me enough," he snaps in a hushed voice. He grabs Sai's chin, making him look into his fierce eyes. "You need to be on your best behavior. I will not tolerate any other fuckery, do you understand?"

Sai whimpers, but deep down, something stirs in his stomach. "Yes, D-- I mean. I understand, Gaara."

Gaara smirks, caressing his lover's jaw. "That's my good little brat. Now get your stuff."

Sai collects his art supplies from the trunk and moves as Gaara grabs the rest. Once he closes the trunk, Temari speeds off, wanting to be away from all three of them.

According to Suna hospitality, the host must carry the guest's baggage inside. Although Gaara hates that rule, he does it anyway. Naruto walks around, hands clasped together, awestruck.

Sasuke feels a pang of jealousy. Yeah, he knows the school he goes to is full of rich kids, and although Sasuke comes from generational wealth, after he and Itachi moved out, his parents downsized considerably. It doesn't compare to Gaara's McMansion.

How will he ever capture Naruto in astonishment like Gaara is now?

He loses his grip on Naruto's sleeve, and as if that grip was the only leash, Naruto zooms around, looking at every vase, chandelier, and decoration adorning the foyer.

"Wow, baby," Sai comments. His hand gently brushes over Gaara's back. "You live like this? I'm even more excited to be your whore."

"Yeah, yeah. Lemme show you to your rooms." Gaara leads them to a staircase, Sai follows behind him, Naruto behind him, and Sasuke trudges his feet along.

Gaara stops at a dog and drops Sasuke's bag. Sai grabs his arm, cooing in his ear, "When you say rooms, you only mean those two, right? Cause I'll be bunking with you."

"God, you're so clingy," Gaara mocks him. Sai grins and squeezes his ass before running off.

"I'm going to find your room! Hehe!"

Sasuke huffs and picks up his bag. "He seems happier when he's around you."

Gaara smirks. "It's cause I fuck him so good. Just like I used to do to you."

...

Night has fallen, and all have settled in their respective rooms.

Naruto likes his room. In fact, he loves it. The room is large and filled with warmth. Fairy lights hang from the ceiling, flashing in their charming way. Pictures of artwork and family photos fill the wall space. A giant oak bookshelf sits against the wall, thick, dusty books sit horizontally and vertically. His large bed lies in the middle of the room and is far more comfortable than those twin-sized ones at the dorms.

As the moonlight shines through the window that outlooks the greenhouse they'll be touring tomorrow, Naruto climbs into bed.

Just as he gets comfortable, Sasuke opens the door casually, like he owns the place.

"I don't care what you have to say," he begins and approaches the bed. "I'm sleeping next to you."

"I was kinda enjoying my bed to myself." Naruto sticks out his tongue, teasing Sasuke, but still opens his arms for him. "Come."

And Sasuke comes. He shuffles next to Naruto, clinging to the boy's arm. In reality, Sasuke bears great anxiety when his love isn't near him. His mood depends on Naruto, just as he's doing now.

His head lays on Naruto's chest, listening to it thrum. And just like Gaara said before to Sai, Naruto teases,

"God, you're so clingy."

...

A/N: imma let y'all know rn that this story was on HOLD. Y'all be blowing up these comments talking about "Damn new year and still no new chapter" 💀💀💀💀 y'all killing me.