After their first conversation in that empty classroom, they'd rushed out to have lunch before the break ended. This made them decide to have lunch together from then on.

Their now mutual friends had joined them after a week or so, unable to tolerate being ditched by the boys for a whole week.

Sasuke's friends, Hyuga Neji and Yamanaka Ino, immediately hit it off with Naruto and his friends, Inuzuka Kiba, Nara Shikamaru and Haruno Sakura.

When Naruto and Sasuke started off as friends, they were so polite with each other. But now after months of being together - nearly 2 years, said politeness was thrown right out the window, as if didn't exist to begin with.

Sasuke was so timid and cheesy at first -well he's still a little cheesy even now- but now that they were closer all he did was tease the heck out of Naruto every chance he got. His loving care was the same as ever though. If anything, Sasuke was sure he was even more in love with him now.

Naruto was always super considerate towards Sasuke and that hasn't changed even now. How could he not be when the raven loves him that much? The least he could do is be a little more careful so he doesn't end up hurting him. After all, they were best of friends before anything else. He'd be damned if he hurt his best friend with his own words or actions.

They were in their 3rd year of high school now, and busy with their studies. Sasuke was helping Naruto with his studies since the beginning of their 3rd year.

Sasuke was spartan when he tutored so their other friends always ditched them. Leading to just the two of them to have study nights almost every day. Sometimes Sasuke stayed over at Naruto's and other times Naruto did.

Since their 2nd year, they'd been staying over at each other's for projects or just gaming. Sometimes for no reason too. So, they were used to it by now.

Though at first Sasuke was super nervous, now it was like a second home for him. It was the same for Naruto as well.

Sasuke never asked Naruto what he felt for him, not even once. He just waited like that the blonde wanted him to. It wasn't difficult at all though, Naruto always treated him more special than others, saying they were best friends. That in itself was enough to make Sasuke feel like he'd reached heaven.

Naruto was scared of starting something with Sasuke. They were already so close, he'd be damned if they started dating only for it not work out and they end up drifting apart. But it's not like he hates the idea of dating him. He liked it even. Sasuke was so loving, and made his heart thump loudly more times than he could count already. So he couldn't bring himself to reject him either. He knew he was being cruel to him by doing this  but he was just scared to start something that could break them apart. He wanted to be with Sasuke for as long as they lived. He didn't want to lose his best friend..

-Thud- A loud sound resonated in Naruto's room, he could feel the top of his head throb after coming into contact with a fatass book.

Sasuke hit him on the head with a math workbook.

"Ouch! What the heck, teme?!", he loudly retaliated.

Sasuke put the book down and pinched the blonde's cheek, narrowing his eyes, "Don't "what the heck" me and concentrate, dumbass. Who do you think I'm doing this for?", he said sternly.

"Shorry..", Naruto mumbled guiltily for getting distracted while they were studying. But still getting pinched he groaned and slaped his hand away, "That hurts!", he exclaimed, pouting.

"Hn..", Sasuke went back to teaching him and asked him to solve it himself after he was done explaining it.

Naruto scrunched up his face, trying to solve it. Scratching the back of his head, he sighed.

Sasuke stared at him for a while. Then softly ruffled his already tussled up hair, "If Something's bothering you, I'll hear you out. But, try to concentrate for now"

Naruto leaned into his touch, "Yeah.. Thanks, teme", he smiled.

"Hn.. Dobe..", Sasuke smirked, continuing, "If you don't solve this right, I'm giving you 10 more problems and you're not sleeping until you solve it all"

"Ugh! You demon!", Naruto paled.

"You just have to do it right, dobe", he smirked, still gently ruffling his hair.

Naruto pouted, mumbling cusses at him while trying to solve it.

In the end, he got it wrong, so Sasuke made him solve 10 more problems and explained it again.

They went to bed, completely exhausted.

Sasuke sat on Naruto's bed, instead of the futon layed out for him. So Naruto turned around to face him, still laying down.

"So what were you spacing out for?", he asked, seriously.

Naruto blinked, not realizing what it's about for a few seconds. Then thought back on what he was distracted with. Sasuke did say he'd hear him out if something was bothering him, but he didn't think he'd ask right away, as soon as they were done with studying.

"Well, just random stuff", he said offhandedly, and scooted closer to Sasuke, laying his head on the raven's lap and hugging his torso.

Sasuke smiled at this, gently running his fingers through the soft blonde locks, "Random, huh.. Don't wanna talk about it?"

"Hmmmm..", Naruto whined, snuggling his stomach.

"Stop, you're tickling me!", Sasuke chuckled.

Naruto giggled, doing it more.

"Stop it, dobe!", Sasuke laughed, forcefully pulling him up to his chest and hugging him.

Naruto smiled, hugging back. Then hesitantly voiced out, "..Aren't you gonna ask me to give you an answer?"

"Hm..?", Sasuke made a questioning sound.

Naruto pulled away, sitting up straight next to him, "To your confession..", he explained, trailing off.

"Ah..", Sasuke realized what was bothering him, he smiled, "I said I'd love you no matter what, didn't I? ..So it's okay, no matter what you decide, as long as I can be with you, I'd be the happiest, so don't worry", he gently caressed his sun-kissed cheek. Naruto closed his eyes, leaning into the gentle touch.

"..I'm scared to start something new.. I don't want to lose you as my best friend..", he made a troubled face, letting it out.

"Then I'd gladly be your best friend for the rest of our lives", he immediately responded, smiling confidently.

Naruto stared blankly at him for a while, in the moonlit room that was otherwise dark.

"..I don't hate it though.. Being something more with you..", he said honestly, blushing and looking away.

Sasuke chuckled, he kind of knew it already. Naruto made it obvious that he liked being with Sasuke. And he very obviously liked it when Sasuke was physically affectionate too. So he definitely had a hunch that maybe Naruto felt the same, but just wasn't ready to start something with those feelings. It seems his hunch was right on the mark.

"Hn.. But you're not ready yet..?", He smiled, wrapping his hands around the blonde's waist and urging him closer. Naruto silently obeyed, wrapping his own hands around the raven's neck.

"..I'm not...", he trailed off guiltily, resting his head on Sasuke's shoulder.

"Then isn't it fine to just stay as best friends until you're ready?", Sasuke snuggled his hair, lightly kissing it.

"Is that really alright..?", Naruto knew they were already way more than just best friends, it was obvious too. So he couldn't help but feel conflicted.

"Of course. Just take your time and decide what you really want. I'll always be with you, no matter what you decide, so don't worry. It'll be alright", Sasuke hugged him tighter in a reassuring way. Naruto hugged him right back, just as tightly.

"Thank you, Sasuke. For always loving me so much", Naruto smiled, truly feeling grateful.

"Always.. I'll never stop", Sasuke declared confidently, all the while smiling lovingly.

Naruto felt so blessed to have someone like Sasuke in his life. He wanted to treat him right and never hurt him, not even unknowingly. He made up his mind to give him an answer before they graduated.

They both went to bed, feeling really refreshed after talking it out.

And spent the same old mundane days until graduation finally closed in on them.