Third person pov

Lennox is going to absolutely die. Fall over, heart stop, no feeling in his left arm, simply pass away. He's never felt more scared in his entire life, staring up at Konoha's Ninja Academy fearfully, hugging Sasuke's bag close to his chest as though it would protect him from what was inside. He didn't want to come here. It was crowded, and there were people who existed, and thought people thoughts, and did other people things like... l-like talk. God, he was terrified just thinking about it. But Sasuke needed his bag! Surely he did! Why else would he dare to bother bringing it to school? It was most certainly full of precious and irreplaceable items. 

It was quite heavy, but Lennox would never betray Sasuke's trust by invading his privacy and looking! Even still, he was sure he could feel a lunch bento sitting in the very bottom, as it pressed against him anytime he squeezed the bag for comfort. What if Sasuke got too hungry and collapsed? Or died? It would be all Lennox's fault! Sasuke had been so nice, and considerate, and forthcoming! Lennox refused to be an awful friend. He had to do this! Besides, hadn't his uncle always said it would be healthy for him to step out of his comfort zone on occasion? 

So taking a deep breath-- because Lennox doesn't want to be the reason Sasuke keels over-- the short boy started forward, nervously making his way into the large building. The air inside was a lot cooler than the outside, and Lennox was endlessly relieved to see the front lobby empty. Though the chilliness put him off a little, that wasn't exactly hard to do around these busy parts of Konoha. Pretty much anything could throw Lennox out of orbit. That didn't really matter right now, though! Sasuke needed his books and lunch! Lennox is committed. He's going to do this and he isn't going to cry about it!

"Hello, dear. Can I help you?" The receptionist asked, a kind smile on her face. She was an older woman-- possibly a retired teacher of some sort based on the headband hanging loosely around her neck. That didn't stop the ginger's entire body from stiffening. He forced himself to offer a smile, sweat pouring down his face and eyes darting around in a desperate attempt to find something else to look at just so he wouldn't have to meet her eyes. This was the worst day ever. He couldn't breathe. Was this real life? Is this a nightmare? No, normally he's in his underwear in those, and there's always a lot more people. That means this is real, which is somehow worse!

"U-U-Um... Um, m-my friend, S-Sasuke Uchiha... he uh... h-he left... his b... bag." Lennox's voice died out into a squeak on him, coming out a pathetic choke that made his face light up red with embarrassment. He felt like his ears were going to start smoking at this rate. Why couldn't he just talk to people normally?! His life would literally be a million times easier. He could give Sasuke the fruitful friendship he deserved and return his bag without almost passing out in the process. Wait, what was that noise? Was that the sound of his consciousness leaving him?! NO! The world is fading to black, the floor is rocking, there's no air in his lungs! Breathe, Lennox! Inhale and exhale and then repeat it all over again!

"Alright, dear. Thank you for bringing it by for him. Why don't you take it to him yourself?" The woman smile, not phased by the crisis he was going through in the slightest. Lennox felt another little part of himself die, his internal flame dampening dangerously until it was only a few embers that would be all too easy to stomp out. He was being extinguished, body and soul, by this entire experience. Bring the bag... to him? Did he look qualified for that in any capacity? He wasn't capable! He's a pathetic, ginger worm! "See that hall right there? It's the second door to the left, dear."

Lennox stared at the hall in absolute, complete horror, the light in his eyes going out completely when he realized he didn't have the confidence to say no to the woman or leave the bag with her. All he could do was smile a small, empty smile and give a blank nod of thanks. Sasuke is so nice. He deserves to much better than Lennox, who is now nothing more than a shell. A useless pot about to boil over and then explode into a million, tiny little metal shards. He gave a weak nod to the receptionist, shuffling like a ghost towards the dastardly hall in question. 

Surely Sasuke wouldn't be embarrassed by him coming, right? He didn't seem like the type. But what if Lennox was overstepping his bounds? They never ever, ever, ever, ever hung out outside of Lennox's yard! And now here he was, showing up at his literal school like a psychopath! Sasuke was going to be mortified. Not as mortified and humiliated as Lennox is right about now, but when have his feelings ever mattered? Sasuke is what's important here! Lennox is about to socially nuke him, after all! He's going to puke. Right here in the hall. On the actual floor, right now. God, is the world spinning again or is that just him? 

The door seemed to loom over him even though it really wasn't all that tall. Lennox felt sweat pour down the back of his neck and he hesitantly reached forward, hand curling around the handle shakily. Sasuke's bag was hugged so tightly to his chest it was beginning to hurt. He knew knocking would be futile. He could hear how loud it was in there, which was terrifying, and it also meant they probably wouldn't hear him. It would be super rude to leave the bag here in the hall with a note, right? Someone could steal it, or Sasuke could just not see it, and-- ugh! UGH! He's going to cry! 

Lennox took a few deep breaths. This was for Sasuke. All he had to do was step in, drop the bag off, explain that he left it, and then book it. Sprint home. He could do that, right? It's all going to be a-okay. He isn't going to... to cry, or pass out, or collapse and go into cardiac arrest. Just open the door and hope for the best! Yes, Lennox! Come on, come on, come on. Rip off that band aid. Get it over with. Get it-- ohnononoohwow he did it. He opened the door. With a lot of hesitance and reluctance, but the door was now open. The door to the classroom. Was open. Because he had opened it. Is the air thinner for anyone else?

A vast majority of the room turned to look at the now frozen and completely red-faced Lennox, who was hugging Sasuke's bag like it was his only lifeline left in this world. Which is was, actually, thank you so much for asking. This is his life vest in the middle of a stormy ocean right now. Lennox swallowed heavily, voice lodged in his throat. This was stupid! There was nothing to freak out over. Why was he so nervous? It was all okay. This was okay. This was fine. He was just returning his friend's bag, that's all. It's that simple.

Iruka blinked as Lennox stared at the ground intensely, rhythmically teetering back and forth on his feet as the room stared. He looked like he was going to tip right over if he leaned over anymore as he swayed. He was like a beansprout in the wind. Not everyone had focused on Lennox, but it was little solace. Sasuke was one of the few people who didn't look forward, staring out the window as he distantly daydreamed about the boy standing at the door. 

Lennox glanced up riskily, screaming at the Uchiha with his eyes. The message was sent, but not received. He is going to fall over. He is going to die. The teacher is looking at him. The teacher of this classroom that he has intruded into. The vomit-- ugh, it's there. Swallow it. Don't make the situation anymore mortifying than it already is. Sasuke will never talk to you again if you puke in front of his entire class whilst holding his backpack.

"How can we help you?" Iruka asked kindly, folding his arms across his chest. Lennox jumped, green eyes practically bugging out of his head at being addressed. His face heated even more, and he held the bag up like it was a shield. He's never going to recover from this, is he? He feels like he's about to literally combust. 

"U-U-Um... I-I-- bag.... Sasuke... f-forgot.... h-here?" He panicked, voice several pitches too high. He's going to cry. He's literally going to actually shed tears in front of all these people right now. And then he's going to puke. At least the teacher seemed to be pitying him a little, smiling softly. If only that were enough to make him feel better. Life would be so much simpler that way. Lennox was practically vibrating from nerves alone, vision blurry and entire world spinning way faster than he was pretty sure it was supposed to. 

"Thanks for bringing it by! You can just leave it with him here." Iruka reassured, voice impossibly kind. Didn't help. He's still sinking. He should've written his will before he left. He wonders what his funeral will be like. Lennox hopes his casket is comfortable, since that's where he's about to be for all of eternity. 

Sasuke was absolutely not present in any way, shape, or form. Keep in mind that if he were aware, he would NEVER-- (read: N-E-V-E-R)-- ignore Lennox in any capacity whatsoever. He had not a single inkling, which is pathetic of him and he should commit sepuku for bringing such shame to his family name. Lennox swings his way and that is enough to mesmerize him straight into dream world central, but to not notice the physical presence of his beloved? Despicable! Gruesome! Simply disgusting! Sasuke is going to roll violently across his bed later and scream at the top of his lungs, and all his neighbors will think the place is being haunted by some sort of demon. He's fine with that. Or will be fine with that once he notices Lennox is there. Earth to fucking Sasuke, you goddamn idiot.

Lennox, tortured endlessly and suffering eternally, hesitantly shuffled forward. The class stayed dead silent, seeming to pity the poor boy just like their teacher. A few of the girls offered encouraging smiles, and the boys gave him a thumbs up because he quite literally looked like he was either going to pass out or have an emotional breakdown right there in the middle of the room. It didn't help. Wasn't helping. I.e. was not doing anything to help. At all. He's going to cry. If he somehow makes it home alive, he's burying himself in his vegetable garden and committing to his new life as a carrot. 

Lennox came to an agonizing stop in front of Sasuke's desk, pale as a specter. Sasuke looked up at the intrusion into his space, freezing immediately. His coal eyes went wide in surprise at the sight before him. Holy actual fucking fuck. Lennox, the boy he'd been thinking of all day, was... was standing there. Looking at his feet. Sasuke bag was there, hugged to his body, and his face was adorably red. Cute little tears pricking the corners of his eyes, feet shuffling. He peeked at Sasuke hesitantly, and an arrow shot straight through the Uchiha's heart. His jaw dropped, red flooding his cheeks. His chin slipped off his palm, which slapped loudly down on his desk.

Sound. The. ALARMS! The ALARMS, SOMEONE, FUCK! OH MY GOD! Sasuke is-- h-he's bleeding out on the ground. He's not going to make it. This is it for him and he is going to die happy. The clouds have parted, the sun is out, god has bestowed an angel down upon him. Sasuke is half tempted to stab himself with a kunai just to see if this is all real. Is he hallucinating right now? This has only ever happened in his wildest dreams, but if this were a fantasy they'd certainly be kissing by now. 

This was all so vivid and real. Holy shit. Sasuke has made it out of the trenches and is in the middle of the battlefield. He's salivating right now. Like, actually about to drool. Oh my god? What does he do? How does he process? His brain is overheating, short circuiting, and honestly just breaking overall. Lennox is here in front of him. Outside the yard, in his classroom. He sought him out to kindly return his bag. How can anyone be that nice? That selfless? Sasuke is about to melt into a Sasuke-size puddle and if he's lucky, Lennox will splash in him.

Lennox looks literally perfect. No, not just perfect. Perfect, flawless, adorable, beautiful, gorgeous, cute, attractive, alluring, lovely, delightful, bright, bashful, exquisite, precious, beautiful again, enthralling, intoxicating, enchanting, handsome, sweet, and-- god, is this even legal? Lennox can't be. He has to be breaking some sort of law, being like that and looking like that. Sasuke's heart is about to drop straight of his ass and go splat on the ground. The fact that he is currently sitting down is the only thing saving his life right now. Holy shit. Cardiac arrest? Cardiac arrest! Someone put the defibrillators on standby.   

"Y-Y-You... d-dropped... i-it and forgot, a-a-and... h-here!" Lennox squeaked out in that adorable voice of his, detaching himself from the bag and thrusting it forward. Sasuke was going to rub his face all over this bag later and never wash it later, if you were wondering, because Lennox had carried it all the way here. Sasuke peeked around the backpack so he could stare at the boy more. Lennox was sort of trembling a little, looking scared, which would NOT do. Absolutely not. Sasuke may be ready to choke to death right where he sits, but he can't possibly happily pass away knowing Lennox is feeling discomfort. What sort of (future, ugh, he'll get there) husband would he be if he allowed that?! 

He has to channel every one of his ninja skills ever to do this. To gather himself enough to form coherent words and think full thoughts. Anything for Lennox. Lennox is love, Lennox is life, Lennox is everything. He is Sasuke's actual religion and-- stop laughing and calling him cringey. It's all true! He's not crazy! He's just gay, and in love, and they're going to love each other for all of eternity! And be happy! And hold hands! 

"Thank you, Lennox!" Sasuke chirped in a tone that somehow managed to stay steady, popping to his feet with a bright smile on his face and notably red cheeks. Iruka's trick ass clipboard hit the ground, the room exploding into whispers that made Lennox jump in surprise. Sasuke's entire frame tensed slightly, rage unlike he'd ever felt awakening in him. He's going to kill everyone in this goddamn fucking room if they don't shut the actual fuck up and stop making his Precious Lennox uncomfortable. He couldn't let this anger show on his face, though. Lennox will only be more panicked if he does! "I don't know what I would've done without this. My lunch and books are in here." 

His words were kind, light, and reassuring. Seeing Lennox relax slightly and light up made it all worth it, but let it be known that he will not fucking hesitate. He will channel is inner Itachi and slaughter every stupid bitch in this fucking room in cold blood. He'll awaken his Sharingan right the fuck now. He would. They were spooking him! They should be singing Lennox's praises right now, honestly, because he is the only reason they are alive. If he didn't think it would scare Lennox, he would've decapitated them by now. 

You see, Lennox is literally everything, as he's said before. Look at him! Dirty smudged pants, flannel shirt. He is going to collapse. He is going to have a seizure. That, or he's going to bury his face in his hands and squeal at the very top of his lungs. Do you know how hard it is to contain this much giddiness? The joy he feels is immeasurable. This is the true definition of bliss. A smile that makes his cheeks hurt and a heartbeat that races so face he can hardly feel it. An undeniable, somewhat obsessive love blooming in his chest.

"I-It... I-It was no p-problem." Lennox's voice came out quiet, his face red with embarrassment as Sasuke softly set his bag down on the bench next to him. Iruka was staring at Sasuke like he'd never seen him before. Sasuke shot him a sharp glare when Lennox hesitantly peeked over at the rest of the class, seeming to perk up slightly at the sight of someone behind him. Absolutely not. Sasuke's entire soul shrieked in alarm as Lennox hesitantly waved to someone. He whirled around, nasty glare forming on his face as soon as he was sure he was turned enough that Lennox wouldn't see it.

Sasuke felt an alarm get pulled in him. The world went in slow motion. No.

Ino waved back to her favorite flower provider, wondering what he was doing here and how he knew Sasuke. Lennox had always been a jittery thing. They weren't really friends per se, but they'd known each other since they were little. They were sort of like... distant cousins if nothing else, or something weird like that. She faltered at the murderous look on Sasuke's face, pausing briefly. It was a dark look that made her skin crawl, a distinct sense of danger rattling up her spine and freezing her blood in her veins. Where was that look coming from? Why was it directed at her suddenly? What? 

WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE FUCKING WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! WHAT THE FUCK IS THAAAAT?!?!?! HOLY ACTUAL MOTHER FUCKING FUCK, WHAT? WHY DOES HE KNOW HERRRRR?!?!?!? NO, NO, NO! HOW DOES HE NOT KNOW ABOUT THIS? WHAT THE BITCH ASS FUCK ASS SHIT ASS FUCK IS THIS?! OH MY GOD? OH MY GOD! NO, NO, N- deep breaths. Insert smiley face here. We are calm and Zen in the presence of Lennox. Let's all resonate. 

Sasuke was going to have a panic attack. Rip his hair out, scream, throw things and break windows. No fucking way. He didn't like this. He didn't want to risk anything and had been so careful, but he already had competition?! Did Ino... Did she know how perfect Lennox was? What if she shared Sasuke's vision?! Sasuke would never interfere in any of Lennox's friendships because that's toxic and he's trying to be that one-sidedly, but that doesn't mean he isn't going to spiral into despair and scream in agony over this later. He is seething. He is going to rip her throat out with his bare teeth. They are now rivals. She has made an enemy out of Sasuke today. Only he can't worry about her right now because----

"Well, I wouldn't want to keep you from your gardening and such, Lennox! Thank you so much for bringing my bag. It means a lot." Sasuke was turning back around, pleasant expression back and smoothing his face over right as Lennox's eyes left Ino. Ino, who was pale now and had definitely flinched more than once just now. Good. Sasuke beamed at Lennox, tone soothing and... emotion filled. Shikamaru snorted. To think Sasuke would be the ragingly insane gay one in class. Who knew. 

Lennox's comfort is above all. Lennox in general, actually. Sasuke can get mad and set shit on fire later. But while Lennox is here? He must bask in his general being and stare at him, and give him his undivided attention. Sasuke must have heart eyes right about now but he doesn't care. Lennox deserves that and the entire Uchiha fortune, which yes, he will be giving him. Because Lennox deserves everything good ever, obviously. Sasuke's on his knees! On his knees praising and begging! 

"Y-Yes. I-I-I-" Lennox's face burned, a wobbly smile coming onto his face and once again shooting Sasuke fatally. Only bitch ass Umino had to come interrupt. Sasuke is going to curb stomp that man to death. And Ino. Both of them together. But not if it'll upset Lennox. What if he makes it look like an accident? No, that's still toxic. He's going to have to stew in his overwhelming anger from afar. Shit. Anything for you, Lennox! Babe! Love of his life! Sasuke may have lost this battle (fuck you, Ino) but he will dominate this war.

"Why don't you stay a while, Lennox?" Sasuke is actually, really going to stab Iruka with a kunai. He wants to hold hands with Lennox right now. God, he's so pretty. Look at him. So perfect. Sasuke wants to touch his face. Too bad shit ass Umino is ruining everything, as per usual. "You're a civilian, right? Why don't you learn a bit about kekkai genkai's with us?"

We keep this raging inferno at bay in name of Lennox. Amen, thank you lord. Sasuke can be calm. He's a calm person. He's a super calm, stable person who is not in any was unhinged. His entire family getting murder had no negative effects on him and his obsessive, near yandere crush is not unhealthy and honestly isn't that bad. And if it is bad it's justified, because look at Lennox. He could get lost in this eyes and never find his way out. Lennox could step on his neck, steal all his belongings, rip out his organs, and leave him for dead and he would thank him. Because Sasuke is calm, level, and---

"He already has one, Sensei." Ino spoke. "And he doesn't really like crowds that much. They make him really nervous. He'd probably feel more comfortable if he could go. He has a job, anyway."

WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO--- he's a calm person-- WHERE THE FUCK DID SHE LEARN THAT W-- very level an-- HE'S GOING TO COMMIT A GENOCIDE, FOLLOWING IN HIS BROTHER'S FOOTSTEPS. BYE-BYE, YAMANAKA CLA-- so calm, so level. Still pond. 

Still, Sasuke's head twisted around like he was in the exorcist in an instant, eyes wide and full of rage, before it twisted back all in the same second so he could smile at Lennox when his eyes darted away from Iruka and back to Sasuke again. Ino and several of his classmates gave small shrieks of horror that made his Ginger Piece Of Utter Perfection And Beauty jump slightly. Even Shikamaru seemed disturbed, but Sasuke's too busy smiling at Lennox happily to care. Let that be a warning. Ino better back the fuck off his man. He'd bite Lennox to stake his claim if it were socially acceptable. Which it's not. Unfortunately. 

"Oh, alright." Iruka stared at Sasuke with a look of disappointment on his face. The boy conveyed to the man his future death with his eyes before turning back to the nervous Lennox with a small smile on his face. He leaned forward, clapping a firm hand down on his shoulder. Sasuke's entire hand tingled at the contact. He is touching Lennox's jacket. Oh my god. Holy shit. Wow. Is this real? He's salivating again and his legs are about to give out beneath him. Down bad. So incredibly down bad. Lennox is so cute he is going to simply pass away.

"It's okay, Lennox! Thank you so much for bringing my bag." Sasuke beamed more, trying to convey how utterly happy this entire situation has made him. Is the Ino thing a con? Yes and no. Yes because fuck her, she needs to back off before he makes her, and no because now he knows the threat is there and can combat it accordingly. What if he'd gone on not knowing until it was too late? He'd have simply died. He wouldn't have deserved to live if he lost to someone like her. He'll bury her six feet under and then piss on their graves. Lennox is his and he's going to get him. Without being toxic, which means he might have to let them live... but he's good at finding loopholes. If there's on out there, he's going to find and use it. 

The fact that Lennox came here is... it's crazy. Sasuke's heart is absolutely soaring right now. How can he possibly convey how happy he is? He wants to cut off his own hand and laugh. This is the best day of his life. Lennox came to bring him his bag in his classroom. Even though he was scared and uncomfortable, he came to see Sasuke. It makes the Uchiha boy want to froth at the mouth. He is one more incident away from becoming rabid. 

Lennox nodded, ducked his head, and then ran like his life depended on it. It was perfectly adorable. 

Sasuke watched him go fondly, but the second Lennox was out that door the smile was gone. His face morphed back into its usual cold and emotionless expression, only this time he was giving a hostile glare at anyone who dared look his direction. Even if his insides were still a warm and gooey mess and he was internally screaming and whooping for joy, they didn't need to know that. Everyone was confused by his smiles and such, but most didn't care and brushed it off. Except for his fangirls, who were nuisances and whom he would crush if they tried to intervene. Half of them stared at him for a long time, clearly pondering Lennox's perfection. The rest were just fawning over the smiles he'd given. Sasuke would rather they focus on that as opposed to his Ginger Beloved. It was safer that way.

Iruka was just sad at this loss of an opportunity, because never had he seen his Uchiha student so... so happy before. He wondered if he'd ever get to see that smile again. Even if not, so long as Sasuke was able to find that joy in his life again, it was all worth it. Even if his student was glaring a hole through the middle of his forehead now.