Third person pov

Did Sasuke spend an unhealthy amount of time staring at the flower Lennox had gifted him the next morning? Yeah, he did, and he was blushing like a schoolgirl the entire time too. He's man enough to admit it. He hasn't stopped grinning since his eyes popped open this morning. Nothing could rain on his parade right now. Itachi himself could show up and Sasuke would not be perturbed in the slightest. What can he say? He's young, in love, and possibly a little insane. Again, clan genocide trauma. Covers tons of bases.

He'd placed his flower carefully in water. It was okay for now, but he'd be buying a frame today so he could press it to preserve its natural colors and hang it in his room. He really didn't like the idea of killing something Lennox had given him, but watching it wilt and break apart would absolutely murder him on the inside. It was like a does he love me or does he not situation, except the love dies before Sasuke can find out. A Beauty and the Beast moment. He's literally not going through that kind of mental and emotional upheaval right now, okay? He would really and truly lose it for good, thank you very much.

Besides, in the future when they were married, happy, living together, head over heels in love with each other, they could look back at the flower and smile! It would be great! 

With his newly budding friendship with his soulmate in mind, Sasuke got ready for the day with a light and airy feeling around him. Everything was going his way and God was clearly real. Nothing was wrong with the world. His family dead? Menial. Itachi existing? A good thing! Clan restoration was on the horizon and because Itachi had killed them, he could bring them back himself, and Sasuke could be unfathomably gay just as things were always meant to be. If Sasuke had to rate this experience out of five stars, he'd honestly give it six.

Okay, okay, okay. Team meeting everyone. Let's touch base. So Sasuke had gotten up extra early to go see Lennox sooner, right? Because yesterday's conversation was literally everything to him and though blissful, it had been too short. So he'd wanted to get there before his regular arrival. Only that wasn't going to happen, because he'd ended up leaving his apartment at the exact same goddamn time he always did. Now I know you must be wondering what held him up. The answer: his daydreams. He'd been so caught up in the mental image of him and Lennox living in a quaint little (super gay) cottage that he'd lost track of time! If temptation was a sin, Sasuke would save Itachi a seat in hell. Cheers to that.

But alas, Sasuke is a runner. He's a track star. He is not top of the academy for nothing. His stamina is nothing to laugh at, and when he says he sprinted like hell was on his heels, he means in. But like, not too hard. Because if he showed up sweaty and disgusting he'd never forgive himself. What if Lennox thought he was gross? Not an option. Sasuke luckily has boundless talent and manages to keep every single one of his hairs in place and still manages to smell like a cologne palace touched by a real life angel, so it all works out. No wonder he has fangirls. This is an honest to god skill. If he weren't already slated to become a ninja he'd totally add this to his resume. Maybe he still would in case the ninja part didn't pan out. After all, what if Lennox wasn't into that?

Sasuke's world realigned as soon as Lennox's house came into view. He slowed his pace from a run to a leisurely walk, the absolute epitome of casual. He fixed his shirt, made sure his hair was still perfect-- it was, obviously, what do you take him for?-- before he allowed himself to fall into his crush's general light of sight. He had to be beyond presentable here. Perfect to the human eye in every conceivable way. 

Well, as perfect as he could get anyway. Sasuke knew he wasn't a bad looking guy by any means, but there was no telling what he looked like through Lennox's gorgeous, perfect, beautiful, stunning, shining, glimmering, flawless eyes! Either way, Sasuke would need to pull out all the stops and use his looks to his advantage. Or try to. Look, this is his first rodeo and it'll be his only rodeo if all goes well! You can't blame him for having no goddamn clue what he's doing! No amount of romance novel reading could've prepared him for the real thing.

Even so, can Sasuke just stop for a moment and say purr? Lennox was looking especially alluring today. Like, hey. Hello. Hi. Sasuke needs to stop and catch his breath. And resist the urge to run his hands through those fiery curls. They look so soft, just like the rest of Lennox. Ugh, this is gay. Sasuke feels like a bag of cotton candy poprocks right now. 

"Good morning, Lennox!" Sasuke greeted once he was close enough. He watched with no small amount of glee as the boy's head snapped up. He watched with a pleasant smile as the boy blinked a few times as though he weren't quite sure Sasuke was really there, looking like the most adorable thing on the planet. Sasuke was the definition of patient. But only for Lennox. Everything he did was for him now. This was the culture-- a lifestyle, and he was committed. Sasuke was ready to get down on one knee and propose. Hurrah to that, baby.

Sasuke knew the rumors that circulated about him, and he was ready to drop kick them away with overwhelming kindness and general doting. He was admired by some, seen by others as rude and cold. Which like they were right, but Lennox didn't need to know that. Sasuke would kill those preconceived notions with his love and adoration, of course! Lennox would drown in his affections. Sasuke would put all the negative in a blender with some acid, turn it on, wrap it in duct tape, and then throw it off a cliff. A cliff that had a fire at the bottom. Oh, and lots of spikes. For good measure. 

"A-Ah, good morning S-Sasuke." The ginger piece of perfection stood up with a shy smile, head lowered slightly in that shy way it usually was. Sasuke watched in total awe as he brushed the dirt from his knees nervously, his hands twitching. Sasuke wanted to grab them and never let go. Hopefully, one day, Lennox wouldn't be nervous about him at all. Sasuke was here to play the long game, folks. Dunk on it. Everyone raise a glass and say a toast. The ball is in Sasuke's court. Itachi is on the opposing team but he hasn't shown up to the game yet, so one could argue Sasuke has already won. 

"How're you doing this morning?" Sasuke leaned on the fence, propping his head up on his hand so he could stare better. The pose in general had made his fangirls squeal in the past, so he tried to avoid doing it in class. With Lennox though? A-game. Sasuke isn't here for the participation award. He's going to blow everyone else out of the goddamn water. This was a boating competition and everyone else was sinking from the sheer force of Sasuke's paddling. Or something. He really wasn't super good with metaphors or analogies or whatever was happening. Whatever. He went to a ninja academy so like, they weren't concerned with language arts.

"O-Oh, I'm well! H-How're you. D...Did you need a-anything?" Lennox blurted it all out in a perfect puddle of word vomit that Sasuke wanted to roll in. Sasuke let out a friendly laugh chock full of every ounce of charisma he had in his scrawny little Uchiha body. Being the last of his clan had perks. Everyone in his family had been unnaturally attractive. That would've made them competition, but they're not here, are they? Snap, crackle, pop. He'd wished they hadn't died and all, sure, but he may as well try to look on the bright side. Now he's one in a million and that makes his chances with Lennox higher.

Unless Lennox doesn't want someone with trauma. Hence why Sasuke is trying to act as normal and nice as possible. He has to find the balance between the bad boy vibe and the guy next door one. It's a hard, very near thing, but Sasuke is a prodigy in the field. He started planning this when he was young, after all. Lennox had hooked him and as an Uchiha, there's no way he's giving up. Again, Uchiha love obsessively. So everyone get ready to fucking dougie. Break it down on the dance floor. 

"I'm fine, Lennox." Sasuke assured kindly, still smiling sappily and staring at Lennox with googly eyes. He probably looked like he was about to melt. Not super inaccurate, honestly. Lennox luckily didn't look super weirded out. "Really, I just want to be your friend. I don't need anything."

"O-Oh." Lennox blinked at Sasuke in a startled sort of way that made Sasuke wish he had a camera. The Uchiha stood up straight, rolling his shoulders and steeling himself for the battle to come. He now had to take on his biggest mission yet. The most startling one. This endeavor would be bountiful in information, but it had the potential to completely crush him, his spirit, and overall will to live. He had... to find out which way Lennox swung. Even if it killed him. It was time. He had to know. This was real life-- not just a fantasy. Stuck in a landslide. No escape from reality. 

If this didn't work out, he'd probably just go find Itachi and ask him to finish the job. Because like bro, Sasuke's entire mentality was hanging by a thread. Literally balancing on his potential relationship with Lennox. Again, he knows that's super unhealthy and toxic! But it's not like he's going to gaslight Lennox into liking him or anything. He's trying to be organic. This is a gluten free household and Sasuke would die before upsetting Lennox or trying to manipulate him. This is a delicate situation! 

"So Lennox, tell me about yourself! What're your likes? Your dislikes? Your hobbies and dreams for the future?" Sasuke smiled brightly, trying to stop his erratically beating heart. Lennox gave him an unsure look, his emerald eyes piercing into Sasuke's very soul and causing his heart to go, as they say, doki doki. This was the path he walked and the life he lived. A hazard of the cause. Sometimes risks were worth taking. For true love, Sasuke would take up arms and sashay through the battlefield. Gayly. 

"A-Are you... sure?" Lennox squeaked out, looking entirely skeptical. Sasuke nodded readily, trying to look as genuine as possible. Like, if Lennox had a dad and that dad saw him, he'd invite Sasuke to stay for dinner because of how genuine he looks. Wait, they both have dead parents. Bonding opportunity? Only Sasuke isn't supposed to know he doesn't have parents. Oopsie. Anyway, no more worrying about that right now. They are in the preliminary stages right now. The tragic backstory would get unlocked later. 

"Absolutely." Sasuke affirmed with a hum, cocking his head and gazing at Lennox happily. The ginger flushed, looking so adorable that Sasuke had to resist the urge to turn away and scream. Scream in a good way. Not in pain. Maybe in pain? Lennox was so cute that he just sort of wanted to squeeze him or else he'd explode. 

"I...I-I like plants and the sun. A-And apple juice, and baking?" Lennox's face went red. Sasuke nodded. This was the best day of his life. Nothing could top this. This was amazing. Nothing could top this. Lennox had his full attention, as he usually did whether he realized it or not, and the ginger gulped. "I-I don't like crowds and... I-I uh..." 

WHOAAAA! Code red! Do you hear those sirens, because Sasuke does! Put it in reverse, Uchiha! Back it up! There's panic there and discomfort! Two things Sasuke had sworn never to be the cause of! He's a misstep away from committing seppuku out of shame alone. Remedy the fucking situation, Sasuke! Fix this or fix yourself! Oh my god, it's happening. Sasuke is freaking out. All his little Sasuke braincells are running rampant, dying left and right from overheating. Why is he such an idiot? He went to fast and now Lennox is fidgeting and looking like he might cry. CRY! 

Sasuke scrambled internally for .2 seconds. The love of his life was uncomfortable and he was the cause. Did this mean he had to beat himself up? The implications were so heavy right now, wow. Lennox was just so perfect. Short, with a million freckles and the biggest, greenest eyes he'd ever seen in his entire life. And they were finally talking and now Sasuke was ruining things and holy shit what did he do?! He should've made at least one friend at the academy to practice social skills on. Damn you, Itachi! Again, clan trauma. Umbrella. So much fit under it. You know this-- he's said it before-- moving on.

"Hey, hey. It's okay." Sasuke assured, looking entirely calm, cool, and collected on the outside despite his internal wildfire. Evacuate the dancefloor, everyone. Shawty burning fire. "I'm sorry if I made you feel uncomfortable. I... honestly don't have a lot of friends, but I really like you, Lennox!" Sasuke gave his best smile that wasn't at all in character, and his crush responded with one full of mild embarrassment and some relief. Sasuke hesitantly filed his seppuku plans away for later. Perhaps this misstep had been corrected?

"S-Sorry. I'm not used to... t-talking, really." Lennox looked down, fists clenching slightly. Sasuke stared at the boy for a moment, holding his breath and contemplating what to do before deciding that if there was any time to be bold, it was now. He had to shoot his shot guys. He literally couldn't resist. He'd tasted the forbidden fruit, aka he'd talked to Lennox literally once, and now he couldn't resist. Someone dig his grave. He's already a goner. 

Sasuke dropped his bag, and Lennox looked up at the sound. He looked bright and hopeful, and Sasuke wanted to cup his face in his hands and just hold it. He was so pretty. Why was he pretty? This was gay, guys. Sasuke needs a support group to talk to.

"It's okay." Sasuke smiled, easily hopping the fence. Lennox's eyes got very large, and he took a small step back out of surprise. "Why don't we start easy? You can teach me to garden! Show me how to plant things, i-if that's okay with you."

Did he just stutter? You know what, pride doesn't exist here. Take off your hats and pay your respects. Sasuke is sacrificing. Give and get, everyone. Give and get. Take notes.

Lennox felt absolutely flabbergasted. Sasuke Uchiha-- as in the Sasuke Uchiha-- wanted shy, pathetic little Lennox to show him how to garden? Lennox couldn't fathom this. He'd always heard that Sasuke was standoffish and rude. Who'd gotten that idea? And from where? He was so painfully nice and he smiled so kindly and Lennox was in total awe. He was just... he didn't really have friends, but Sasuke wanted to know him? Talk to him? It was... It was new. 

"B-But you have the academy! I-I don't want you to get in trouble!" Lennox exclaimed, flustered as Sasuke idly approached, peering around curiously. 

"It's not a big deal. I'll just take a sick day. I haven't taken one all year." Sasuke waved off his worries, but it didn't calm him like he'd hoped. Sasuke could hardly focus. He was so close to him. Like, so close. This was the closest they'd ever been to one another. Wow. Did the temperature just rise a few degrees or is that just Sasuke? 

The plan was, clearly, progressing rather smoothly. Sasuke doesn't claim to be a love expert, but he does claim to be a Lennox one. All signs point to yes. He is a director controlling the flow of traffic. A train conductor at the head of it all. Lennox is so close now, with such delicate features and thick hair, and Sasuke can almost pretend that they're already together in some capacity. Oh if his brother could see him now. Happy despite all that had happened. Thriving in the environment given to him. Suck an egg, Itachi. Sasuke's going to get his fairytale ending with or without his clan.

"Y-You mustn't skip school!" Lennox looked genuinely concerned and oh my god he stepped up closer to Sasuke like actually closer like he's right there and he smells like gingersnaps and fresh soil. Sasuke held his breath. Okay, okay, we're fine. It's all okay! This is the best day of his life. He is about to go into cardiac arrest, yeah, so someone get a medic on the line and ask them to hold a stretcher for him. He's going to need it at this rate. Wow. Wow, he's so short and small and Sasuke wants to wrap him up in a hug and scream at the top of his lungs. "Y-You can't!"

"Relax, I wanna help anyway. How will I ever get to know you if we never hang out?" Sasuke was really hoping Lennox couldn't hear the rapid thrum of his heart right now. Seriously, it was going a mile a minute and not slowing down. He'd been serious about that cardiac arrest thing. They were going to have to call someone if he couldn't calm himself the fuck down.

"B...But your school..." Lennox was at a complete and total loss. Sasuke resisted the urge to coo at him, instead smiling. Lennox's cheeks turned a lovely shade of red, and the Uchiha did have to resist the honest to god urge to fist pump at his success. Instead he plopped himself down right in front of the hole Lennox had been digging for a new plant. The freckled boy scrambled to sit down too, eyes wide with slight shock. 

"So!" Sasuke chirped, voice coming out entirely giddy and so full of excitement that Lennox couldn't help but smile too. "What are we planning today, Lennox?"

~~~~

"So I put in two seeds, cover them with dirt, and then pat it down lightly?" Sasuke confirmed, as though he didn't know how to stick a seed in the ground. You've got to understand where Sasuke is coming from though. Lennox's voice is the best noise on this godforsaken planet and anything Sasuke can do, ask, or say to get him to talk more? Yeah, he's gonna go for it full steam ahead. He's not holding back.

"Y-Yes!" They'd been out in the sweltering heat for a solid three hours now, and Lennox seemed happier and less nervous than before. More points for Team Sasuke. Sasuke was immensely glad and sort of hanging onto life by a mere thread. He could faint from pure joy alone. Three hours with his crush, and his heart was still racing and his cheeks were still red. That, and he was smiling so hard that it genuinely hurt. No pain, no gain. Sasuke had managed to learn a lot more about Lennox in their too-short time together, and he was hoping he'd learned a lot about Sasuke too.

Lennox liked blankets, and any sort of fruit of vegetable juice. His favorites were apple and tomato, which only affirmed to him that they were in fact soulmates, because his favorites were also apple and tomato. Emphasis on the tomato. He'd told Lennox as such and had almost lost his whole entire life to the glimmer in the boy's eye. Lennox just seemed so happy to find out they had it in common! Sasuke would never forget this moment. If only he had his Sharingan. Then he'd be able to burn this all dutifully into his mind and then revisit more vividly in his dreams.

"There we go." Sasuke smirked, wiping his hands on his already dirt-covered shirt. Lennox gave a small, light applause that made Sasuke want to do a backflip. Are you ever just overwhelmed with so much joy that you want to kick your feet, get up and dance? Sasuke is currently living and breathing that. He is lost at sea and perfectly okay with it. Mariana Trench here he comes. He's never getting out of this bad boy. 

Lennox found Sasuke a bit odd, but he felt like he knew him almost. Like they'd been friends for a long time, even though they'd only just talked for the first time yesterday. Sasuke was kind almost to a fault, and easy going to boot. He was careful not to make Lennox uncomfortable. The ginger boy could see the way he stepped around certain topics and backtracked if he thought he'd make him nervous, and Lennox valued that. It made his heart swell with warmth. 

They'd been seeing each other every morning for years now, and this friendship felt right. Lennox wished he'd been bold enough to talk to him before. Maybe they could've been friends sooner, and they could've done friend-things and talked and laughed together. Lennox was warming up to him alarmingly fast. Perhaps it was his own loneliness, or perhaps Sasuke was just that inviting. Either way, Lennox wanted to get to know him more! But like, he didn't want to be pushy about it. Was he being pushy? Sasuke was smiling, but what if it was one of those obligatory smiles? 

No, he shouldn't think like that, right? Sasuke had skipped school to get to know him. Sasuke Uchiha, known prodigy, had skipped a day at the academy. For him! Lennox was shy, a little naive, but in no way was he dumb. Sasuke seemed... well, Lennox didn't want to step out of line by saying this, but he seemed a tad bit... desperate? Like maybe he was lonely just like Lennox was. Maybe that's why he was able to tell so easily. He was in the same boat. Either way, he supposed he was glad to finally be making a friend his own age. Someone who was nice, and had a pretty smile, and listened with open interest. It was more than he ever would've thought to want for.

"N-Now if I just..." Lennox trailed off in a fit of concentration, hands glowing the same color they had when they'd made Sasuke's flower. The Uchiha found himself staring at Lennox's face as he slowly matured the seeds, tracking each bed of sweat that trailed down his face from the strain and the sun's heat. He observed the slight furrow in his brow, and the way he lightly held his tongue between his teeth. His nose wrinkled so perfectly, and his eyes narrowed just slightly. Lennox's cheeks and nose were a little burned from the time spent outdoors, and Sasuke's blush deepened the longer he stared.

They were so close. This was surreal. Someone do Sasuke a solid and come pinch him real quick so he knows he isn't dreaming. He is sitting next to his crush. They're gardening together, which is sickeningly cute and he loves it. This is all he's ever wanted and needed in life. He'd thought he had Lennox's face memorized before, but now it was extra-extra memorized. He should've brought a camera. How would he even play that though? Hey, let me take a photo of you so I can stare at it every second that we're apart? It's not like he could just say that, right? Unless...

"T-There!" Lennox lit up with triumph, and Sasuke grinned, looking away from his dazzling smile and at the plant. He didn't know much about flowers, but he could easily tell that this was a tulip. Tulips we're rare in the land of fire, not growing well due to the uneven climate. The intense summers and unpredictable weather killed them off. 

Ugh, this was just more proof that Lennox was the most amazing thing to ever grace this planet. Sasuke should add this to his list. He carries it around in his back pocket for moments like these when new reasons Lennox is perfect strike him. It's four pages long and yeah, they're all front to back. It's called dedication and commitment, if you were wondering. You should totally try it sometime.

"Do you ever sell your flowers?" Sasuke inquired with a hum, softly reaching to run a finger along one of the petals. They were velvety. Lennox looked down at his hands, seeming embarrassed. 

"Y...Yes. I-I often run the b-booth in the spring when w-we have too many to s-sell to the Yamanaka clan's sh-shop" He admitted. Sasuke blinked, the new fact dinging into his mind like a nugget of pure gold. He'd had no idea Lennox was the provider for the Yamanaka flower shop. He knew Ino worked there, but he'd have to pay them a visit sometime despite that. If those flowers in there were all grown by Lennox, then damn. He was about to put that Uchiha Clan fortune to good use. 

"I had no idea." Sasuke smiled, and Lennox looked even more flustered. Sasuke preened. 

"O-Oh!" Lennox suddenly leapt up. Sasuke blinked. "I-I'll go get us some w-water!" 

Sasuke broke out into a larger grin, trying to withhold his giggling as he admired the boy in front of him. Lennox scurried towards the house, stopping and going stock still about halfway there. Sasuke watched, once again stuck in his lovestruck daze, observing as the love of his life whirled around and rushed back towards him with a burning face. Sasuke hummed a little. He loved it when Lennox got flustered. 

"S-Sorry!" The boy panicked, reaching down and- HOLY SHIT!

Do...Do you heard that... that noise? Angels... wow. Angels are singing. The clouds just opened up and shone heaven's light right down upon this very garden. Because Lennox had just leaned down and grabbed Sasuke's hand, and tugged him to his feet. Sasuke's mind was blank. His eyes were wide. His face was red. He was vibrating a little from the sheer energy that coursed through him, his chakra going haywire. His heart was beating so fast Sasuke couldn't even feel it anymore. This was like ice water on a hot day. A crackling fireplace in the middle of a snowstorm. Not even Itachi agreeing to restore the clan could be better than this.

"C-Come in! S...Sorry!" Lennox dropped Sasuke's hand, his entire face red. Actually, all of him seemed red, from the tips of his fingers to the top of his head. Sasuke stared. He wanted to kiss him. And propose. Sasuke had his vows ready and had already gotten himself certified as an officiant, so he could totally do this. Had he lied about his age on the form? Yeah, but his transformation jutsu is good enough to back it up so it doesn't matter. They clearly bought it. A garden wedding would be nice. 

Sasuke was a little glad Lennox had his head ducked as he led him into the house, rambling on and on in a flustered fashion and apologizing multiple times. Glad, because Sasuke was pretty sure he was a lot redder than Lennox was. That and he was shaking. Violently. Like a can of coke with a mento in it. One that had just rolled down a very, very bumpy hill. He struggled to breath a she was led inside, feeling near tears in the best way possible. He punched the air a few times, Lennox's back turned, and fist pumped. Silently screamed a bit. The whole nine yards and beyond. 

He hardly realized that he hadn't found out Lennox's sexuality yet. He'd forgotten, distracted by the sheer bliss that was this entire situation. He shrugged it off as Lennox held the door for him, smiling brightly like a little ball of unadulterated sunshine. Lennox gave an embarrassed smile back, and Sasuke almost exploded. Because if this wasn't true love, well, then Sasuke wasn't really sure it existed at all.

~~

Sasuke: Either this works out or I let Itachi kill me :/