I grab Sasuke's hips, preventing him from lurching forward. I brush my thumbs across the dimples on his back. He moans, pressing his face into the mattress as I rail him from behind. It's become a sort of pattern. We're pretty still terse to each other during the school day, but once classes end, we go back to my place and we screw around. I guess he's not mad about what happened with Kiba. Actually, he won't even spare him a look.

Kids at school – namely girls – have been wondering about the constant state of Sasuke's neck. It's covered in hickeys from yours truly. "Sasuke has a hickey!" Kiba will knowingly sing song, while people like Sakura find it far less amusing. I bet I'm the last person the girls suspect is attacking Sasuke's neck.

Sasuke always brushes the teasing questions off when guys on the soccer team ask if he's got a special lady friend. It makes me want to chuckle. When did things get so... weird? I can't even remember. I never thought I'd be looking at a guy like this and I never thought I'd want to be looking at a guy like this. Sasuke is different, though. It's not just the way he looks. It's other things. It's the small thing – the seemingly unimportant things. If it was shallow attraction, I think I would have tried to get with him a long time ago. I've always looked past his appearance.

I pull out and flip him onto his back before pushing in again. Sasuke shudders, eyes half lidded as he stares up at the ceiling. "You good?" I ask.

"Mm..." he mumbles, closing his eyes all the way. His lips are parted and soft breaths escape.

It's Friday now. We've got a soccer game in two hours. Kiba gave me a pretty knowing look when he saw Sasuke and me leaving the school together. He didn't question it. He knows what's up. Just like my parents. They don't question it either. It's better that way. Sometimes things take a while to get funny. Maybe, someday, they'll look back on it and find it amusing. Then again... probably not. I did have another guy's jizz on my face. You don't just recover from seeing your son in that kind of position... but anyway. I'm not going to think about it. That shit is a total boner killer.

I quicken my pace and come with a grunt. I pull out slowly before going down on Sasuke. I feel his fingers in my hair. A moment later, his grip tightens and his breath hitches. "I'm... I'm gonna..." he trails off, voice strained as he releases a whiny moan. I close my eyes, swallowing. I hollow out my cheeks and pull away with a pop sound, sitting up straight. "You know..." he says breathlessly, "you're good at that."

"Why the tone of surprise?" I ask in a mutter. To be honest, I did a little research... not that I would ever admit to it aloud.

"Because you're new at this," he says with a tired smile. "Your parents are still gone out, right?"

"Yeah," I confirm. "Why?" But instead of answering me, he grabs his clothing off the floor and leaves the room. I hear his footsteps down the hall and a door creak, which I assume is the bathroom. "Whatever," I murmur to myself, standing up and cleaning off.

When Sasuke returns, he's fully dressed and fresh-faced. "I'm going out to see someone," he says.

"Another fuck?" I ask, hoping I'm wrong.

"No," he shakes his head. "Just a friend."

"Oh," I say. "We're friends, right?"

"I suppose," he relents. "You want more than that, though... don't you?"

"Why do you think that?" I ask.

He looks thoughtful for a moment before speaking. "When someone is inside of you," he starts, "it's like you're connected. It's like mind reading, but a bit different. You can read what this person is thinking and feeling. It's in the way they look at you, the way they touch you... that's how I know. I know what you feel, Naruto, so stop denying it. I know what you're thinking. I know what you want... I just don't understand it."

"Oh," is all I say. I guess I can't keep pretending. That would just be stupid.

"So...?" he urges.

"Yeah, I'm into you," I admit. There's no point in keeping it a secret anymore.

"Why?" he asks, tilting his head to the side and staring at me.

"Because I finally got to know you and I realized that I've been missing out," I say. "I wish I got to know you sooner. Yeah, you act stoic and cold, but you're more than that."

"Hm," he murmurs.

"And do you know what I think?" I ask him and before he can answer, I continue. "I think you feel something for me, too."

"Oh, really now?" he asks, clearly bemused.

"Yeah," I say with confidence. "You cried when I hit you and I know it wasn't just because it stung. I feel like I know you a bit better now. Similar to how you say you can read me... I think there are times when I can read you, too. You admit that it hurt more than any other hit I delivered. That has to mean something, right?"

He lets out a breath, but he doesn't say anything.

"It's fine," I tell him after a moment of silence. "You don't have to give me any reassurance. I'm not looking for that."

"Then what are you looking for?" he asks.

"I just want you to know you have a friend who cares about you," I say. "So, when you feel like shit, come to me. When you want comfort, come to me. When you're angry, come to me. When you're happy, tell me about it."

"Tsk... Naruto," he murmurs, clicking his tongue at me. "You complicate everything... Just get dressed and walk me out."

I shrug, doing as he asks. I put on a pair of sweatpants and we leave my room again. "Remember," I say as we stop by the front door, "we have a game at six. Don't be late or the coach will have a fit."

"It's not even five yet," he tells me. "I won't be long anyway."

I give a solid nod and he slips on his shoes. He gives me a cocky smile before reaching for the door, but I grab his wrist, stopping him.

"Hm?" he asks, staring at me.

I let go of him and he lets his hand fall. "Fucking hell," I mutter aloud, though the sentiment is for my own ears. I'm acting like such a slapdick.

"You wanna kiss me?" he asks knowingly. "Go ahead. Don't be shy. It doesn't suit you."

I cup his face in my hands and lean forward, placing a brief, open-mouthed kiss on his lips before drawing back.

He smiles again, but there's nothing cynical about his look this time. "Bye, then," he says, reaching for the door once more.

  ||XxXx||  

I decide to go to school a little early, since I have nothing better to do. I throw on my jersey and shorts and grab my equipment bag before making my way down. When I arrive in the gym, Kiba and a few of the guys are already there. "Hey," I greet, holding up a hand.

"Yo, what's up?" he asks.

I shake my head. "Nothing."

A pervy grin breaks across his face. He parts from the crowd and tosses an arm around me as we walk into the locker room. "Dude," he starts, "I still can't fucking believe you're fucking Sasuke in the ass."

I let out a weary laugh. "You better not tell anyone. Seriously. That wouldn't be cool of you and I wouldn't forgive you."

"You know I won't," he promises. "But fuck, sometimes I want to. I feel like it'd wipe that smug look off Sasuke's face if everyone knew what he got up to."

Once we're in the locker room, I discard my bag and sit on a bench. "He's not really that smug," I say. "I mean, sure, he can be cocky, but I think most of it is just a façade because he's kind of a mess."

Kiba sits down beside me. "Hell, I kind of pity him."

"Yeah," I mutter, but clearly it's not enough pity to stop him from being such a dick.

We continue talking and when 5:30 rolls around, Sasuke walks into the locker room. "Hey," I greet him and he simply nods. "How was your meeting?"

"Fine," he says vaguely. He sets his bag down, digging out his uniform and unceremoniously stripping. "Your father and my father are coming to watch the game, by the way," Sasuke adds once he's dressed.

"Seriously?" I ask. Usually just our moms come.

He nods. "It's an early day at the office, apparently."

"Oh," I say. "Well, that's cool."

Sasuke nods again, but I can tell he probably doesn't give a shit. He sits down next to me and Kiba on the bench and the three of us sit in awkward silence for a few long minutes.

"So," Kiba says. "How's your ass, Sasuke?"

"Perfect," Sasuke bites. "Why do you ask?"

"Oh, no reason," Kiba sings.

"No," Sasuke gets up and stands in front of Kiba. "I'm sick of you mocking me! You've been at it all week! Just cut it out!"

Kiba lets out a scoff. "Fuckin' chill, dude. Take a joke."

"No!" Sasuke shouts. "You've been like this since you saw what was on my phone! But even before that, you've always made things difficult for me. What did I ever do to you? Nothing! I don't fucking do anything to you, but you're constantly making fun of me! Why?"

Kiba looks taken aback. "Because... it's... fun...?"

Sasuke lets out a laugh that sounds like a sob. "Well, I don't need any more bullshit, so fuck you!"

Kiba retorts, "That's what you have Naruto for."

Sasuke grits his teeth, shoving him. Kiba lets out a yelp and falls backwards off the bench. Sasuke lets out a sound of frustration, turning to stare at me. "Why are you being so quiet? Whose side are you on?"

"Sasuke..." I murmur his name, not really wanting to choose sides because it wouldn't end well.

"Why couldn't you have at least fucking tried harder to take my phone from him? I didn't want him looking through it! Especially not if he's going to be acting like this!" His voice is shaking now. He's getting himself worked up again.

"Sorry," I mutter awkwardly. Yeah, I guess it's my fault. Kiba has a hard time controlling himself sometimes. He takes Ritalin, but it doesn't really do the trick. He'll keep secrets, but he has a hard time doing it - especially with stuff he finds particularly interesting. It's like he needs to talk about it, so he pulls shit like this.

"C'mon, Sasuke," Kiba says. "Take a fucking joke. It's not the end of the world. Don't be such a bitch about it."

Sasuke shakes his head in disbelief. He lets out a heavy breath, closing his glassy eyes. His face is flushed with poorly supressed anger and I know he's trying to force it back.

"Kiba," I sigh, irritated with my best friend. "Stop being a fucking dick."

"It's not my fault Sasuke is so damn sensitive," he mutters.

"That's the worst argument ever!" Sasuke hisses. "You're just trying to justify your idiocy by saying I'm an overly sensitive person. I'm not, you're just an asshole!" He turns and walks away a minute later. I follow him around the locker room until he stops.

"You okay?" I ask.

No answer.

"Sasuke...?"

Still, no answer.

I let out a sigh, touching his back lightly. He lets out a keening sound and I walk in front of him, pulling him to my chest. "Just ignore Kiba... he has a hard time censoring himself."

Sasuke lets out this quiet gasp-like sobs and I hold him tighter. I rub his back until he quiets down. "Is he right?" he chokes out the question.

"Nah," I say. "You just don't know how to express yourself and you come off a bit cold. But if you let people get close, they'd see the warmer side of you. You've been hurt too many times and that's why you're hesitant. People can be fucking cruel."

"I hate people," Sasuke murmurs lifelessly. "But I hate myself more."

"Come on... don't say stuff like that," I tell him. "Learn to love yourself."

Kiba is standing a few meters away. He looks sheepish and awkward as he listens to me and Sasuke talk. "Sorry, okay?" he murmurs. "I was out of line. I have a hard time using filters, you guys know that."

He's always trying to justify his actions, even when he's so clearly in the wrong. Now is no different.

Upon hearing his voice, Sasuke wriggles out of my hold and turns to face Kiba. "It doesn't matter," he briskly wipes his cheeks try. "You were only saying how you felt."

"I don't hate you," Kiba promises. "I've never hated you. I just... I don't know. People like you piss me off."

"And why's that?" Sasuke asks tersely.

"Because you revel in misery," he says.

Sasuke scoffs. "Do you actually think I enjoy any of this? I don't! I can't help it, okay? I'm fucking manic depressive!"

"Then go to therapy," Kiba says, as if it's the easiest thing in the world to fix.

"I do! I see a fuckin' doctor every week! And even if I didn't, my life is none of your business," Sasuke grits. "To get so angry over it is immature and stupid of you." He walks away after that. I shrug at Kiba before following Sasuke yet again. He enters the bathroom area and stares at himself in the mirror above one of the sinks. "Fuck, I look gross."

"Nah," I say. "You look fine." He groans and pats his flushed cheeks. He takes a deep breath and then lets it out before leaving the locker rooms. I share a look with Kiba and give him a particularly dull look. "You're a little shit, y'know that," I say. "You really pissed him off. Are you satisfied with yourself?"

He grins and shrugs. "I dunno, dude. It was kinda a turn on."

"You're sick," I tell him, shaking my head in disbelief. Clearly he's not feeling guilty at all.

"I know, I know," he admits. He throws an arm around me and we follow Sasuke onto the field. It's almost time for the game. If we aren't out there soon, the coach will be screaming at us.

  ||XxXx||  

Out on the field, I immediately spot my parents on the bleachers with Sasuke's parents. I grin and wave to them all before approaching my fellow players.

"Okay," the coach starts before going into a spiel about game-play and the like.

Game on, Mizu.