Patterns
Like marks in a bedpost, that bewildered expression on Naruto’s face marked all of Sasuke’s dubious conquests. It was what bewilderment evolved into that colored the consequence.
Naruto ran a predictable pattern of confusion and determination; not the most compatable of emotions but perfectly suited to the contradiction that was Sasuke and Naruto. A moment of victory was reflected in Naruto’s eyebrows stretching upwards, wrinkling forwards across the furrows in his brow. It was a fleeting instant, a quick beat of satisfaction before self preservation kicked in as Naruto’s eyes narrowed.
Sasuke could gauge just how wide he needed to pull his sneer by how much tooth was revealed by Naruto’s angry grimace. It was a progression of familiar moves; sneer, turn away, ignore the tickle as his hackles shivered in protest at having something so dangerous at his back. Disparaging comments flowed as naturally as the most mundane small talk, guaranteed to pull temper kicking and snarling out from under the usual good natured smile that lingered lopsided on Naruto’s face.
They were beyond physical blows. Attacking had lost its charm right around the time they lost that last tenacious bit of innocence. They clashed with the vicious intensity of individuals who knew each other far too well, knew every weakness and old wound and aimed appropriately. Every expression was the ghost of a previous attempt, every subtle intonation the result of years of experimentation.
Now it was always Naruto that won.
Sasuke was involved in the play of muscle in Naruto’s face, noticing how teeth clenched and his jaw worked to contain and restrain. It was a bewildering bit of maturity, something Sasuke had never expected, and didn’t quite know how to defeat. This was where they had grown up and apart.
Naruto would never back down, but he had somewhere developed a fine sense of tactics.
The pattern broke apart when temper sublimated to something dangerously close to disdain. It was Sasuke’s expression, but lacking in an obvious attempt to goad. It was honesty, something that alternately attracted and repelled Sasuke.
They were Naruto’s victories now. As Sasuke was left floundering for familiar ground Naruto shifted and settled into the cold, almost callously impartial mask of the ANBU. This was Naruto’s attack, impeccable in execution as it hit along Sasuke’s nerves.
Anyone else…had it been anyone else…
He had spent years trying to get Naruto to turn away from him.
Had spent years breathing silent sighs of relief when Naruto refused to leave.
Marks in a bedpost, counting all the times Naruto had stuck to his side with insane tenacity. Sasuke’s victories in light of his own poisonous drive and obsession. Sasuke’s center shivered, wondering if this time…
Naruto stalked off, his gait tight with something that might have been temper, head held in such a way as to suggest imminent homicide.
That at least was familiar. Naruto still sizzled and snapped beneath the chill of his eyes. As long as that was there, Sasuke could add another notch, could mark a minor victory. Naruto would come home when the sun set, smelling of sweat and dirt, muscles trembling with exhaustion and spent temper.
Naruto would come home.
Naruto ran a predictable pattern of confusion and determination; not the most compatable of emotions but perfectly suited to the contradiction that was Sasuke and Naruto. A moment of victory was reflected in Naruto’s eyebrows stretching upwards, wrinkling forwards across the furrows in his brow. It was a fleeting instant, a quick beat of satisfaction before self preservation kicked in as Naruto’s eyes narrowed.
Sasuke could gauge just how wide he needed to pull his sneer by how much tooth was revealed by Naruto’s angry grimace. It was a progression of familiar moves; sneer, turn away, ignore the tickle as his hackles shivered in protest at having something so dangerous at his back. Disparaging comments flowed as naturally as the most mundane small talk, guaranteed to pull temper kicking and snarling out from under the usual good natured smile that lingered lopsided on Naruto’s face.
They were beyond physical blows. Attacking had lost its charm right around the time they lost that last tenacious bit of innocence. They clashed with the vicious intensity of individuals who knew each other far too well, knew every weakness and old wound and aimed appropriately. Every expression was the ghost of a previous attempt, every subtle intonation the result of years of experimentation.
Now it was always Naruto that won.
Sasuke was involved in the play of muscle in Naruto’s face, noticing how teeth clenched and his jaw worked to contain and restrain. It was a bewildering bit of maturity, something Sasuke had never expected, and didn’t quite know how to defeat. This was where they had grown up and apart.
Naruto would never back down, but he had somewhere developed a fine sense of tactics.
The pattern broke apart when temper sublimated to something dangerously close to disdain. It was Sasuke’s expression, but lacking in an obvious attempt to goad. It was honesty, something that alternately attracted and repelled Sasuke.
They were Naruto’s victories now. As Sasuke was left floundering for familiar ground Naruto shifted and settled into the cold, almost callously impartial mask of the ANBU. This was Naruto’s attack, impeccable in execution as it hit along Sasuke’s nerves.
Anyone else…had it been anyone else…
He had spent years trying to get Naruto to turn away from him.
Had spent years breathing silent sighs of relief when Naruto refused to leave.
Marks in a bedpost, counting all the times Naruto had stuck to his side with insane tenacity. Sasuke’s victories in light of his own poisonous drive and obsession. Sasuke’s center shivered, wondering if this time…
Naruto stalked off, his gait tight with something that might have been temper, head held in such a way as to suggest imminent homicide.
That at least was familiar. Naruto still sizzled and snapped beneath the chill of his eyes. As long as that was there, Sasuke could add another notch, could mark a minor victory. Naruto would come home when the sun set, smelling of sweat and dirt, muscles trembling with exhaustion and spent temper.
Naruto would come home.
