So, this was supposedly a oneshot that I write because Jasu and I were talking about how hot the elf version of Sasuke is and she drew two nice pictures for me (you can find them via the tumblr link on my profile). And then I wanted to write a second, smutty part, that ended up way longer than the first part, haha.
An alphyn is a magical creature that I read about on Wikipedia. It seemed cool.
Disclaimer: Ugh no.
I really hope you enjoy this story because I certainly enjoyed writing it!
Part I: One man in particular
xxx
Sasuke didn't like men. He didn't like men and in fact, he didn't like humans at all. They were rowdy and unrefined, and while he tolerated spending time with them, he had never felt a need to treat them as anything besides a necessary evil.
So no, Sasuke didn't like men but he liked one man in particular, though perhaps like was the wrong word to use here. He was a centuries old elf prince after all, the childish word like shouldn't exist in his vocabulary. Glancing to his left he could see Naruto happily humming a tune, much as he always did while they were riding their horses at a walk to let them rest for a while. He casually held the reins in one hand, the other hanging loose by his side, only used now and then to pluck leaves from the branches growing low over the narrow road. His beige travel cloak hung heavy from his strong shoulders, and now and then his chainmail – though it more resembled metal dragon scales sewn together – gave off a metallic rustle as he turned his upper body to reach a leaf.
"Hey, Sasuke!"
He hadn't realized he'd been staring at Naruto's chainmail, happy the rusty smell couldn't quite reach him but knowing all too well he'd be forced to spend time with it later unless they found somewhere to take a bath. It was bad enough they all smelled like horses.
"Must I remind you again not to call me so casually?" he answered, raising his eyes to meet deep blue ones.
Hundreds of years of carefully invented pleasantries to keep the delicate balance of peace, and then Naruto comes along with his blatant disregard for them.
"Yeah yeah, and must I remind you that we're friends?"
Narrowing his eyes Sasuke stayed silent. He may have spent several sleepless nights debating with himself whether they were friends or not, and if he could live with himself if the answer was a positive one. As it was, he was sadly at perfect health.
"Aaaanyways, isn't it time to stop yet? I'm getting hungry."
As if Sasuke needed visuals as well, Naruto started rubbing his stomach, a pout forming on his lips. After months of travelling together, he was all too used to Naruto's various stages of hunger. It was only the fact that he eventually became extremely whiny that made Sasuke care at all.
"Shut up! You think we've got the luxury of letting you eat whenever you want?"
Sasuke sighed, hoping that Naruto wouldn't take the bait and start bantering with Sakura. Those two could make him want to ride off a cliff.
"But Sakuraaaa," Naruto whined, making it hard to believe that this was the current hero of the human world. "I'm so bored and Sasuke is acting snarky."
"It's still a two day ride to the next town, we'll need to go at least a few hours more today."
Finally someone with reason, though wizards tended to be known for their wisdom. Sasuke could never quite understand why Kakashi insisted on wearing a hat that stretched out so wide that the only reason he could ride knee to knee with Sakura right now was because she was so much shorter. He would never tell her that, though, considering her short temper and the giant axe she carried on her back.
"Let us pick up the pace again," he said, gathering up the reins and nudging his horse into a trot.
Sasuke had gotten more practice at avoiding conflict since the group had been formed than he'd had in his entire life. Naruto groaned but followed after, and Sasuke was certain that there would be more complaints when they slowed down again. To be honest, they were all a little frustrated at the general slow pace of their mission, especially after getting delayed an entire month when the roads leading from the town they'd visited all got flooded. They had only just managed to leave, and Sasuke tried hard not to think of the things that changed while they waited there.
Feeling Naruto's eyes on him he unconsciously reached up to move a few strands of his dark hair behind his ear, angry at himself for the slight stir in the pits of his stomach. He was an elf, and a prince at that, and no human should ever be allowed to make him feel like this. Frowning he urged his horse harder forwards, the grey mare happily trotting ahead of the others on the muddy road.
That's right. He was an elf, and the fact that Naruto called his name so casually shouldn't remind him of nights spent in fevered highs, shouldn't remind him of Naruto's rough voice breathing words of pleasure into his sensitive ears.
But it did and Sasuke wasn't happy with himself.
xxx
Naruto didn't like gathering firewood, but everyone had to do their share while on a mission and he wouldn't ever complain about that. He wanted to complain over his butt being sore from an entire day of riding after not having done it during a month, but he had a feeling it wouldn't sit well with Sasuke so for once he'd kept it to himself. Speaking of Sasuke, there was a reason Naruto was slowly sneaking through the forest towards the clearing where they'd set up camp for the night. He knew Sakura would still be over by the stream nearby, and Kakashi would as always be a ways off reading his pervy little book that he insisted was filled with important wizard stuff.
His efforts were rewarded as he stopped behind a thick tree, leaning out to one side and catching the elf in one of those rare moments where he thought he was alone. Sasuke stood close to their grazing horses, bow still in place over his dark green cape and face lifted towards the setting sun. Naruto's pet dragon was just about to land on Sasuke's outstretched hand, its tail wrapping around his fingers and tiny wings flapping a few times before it settled down.
Naruto hardly noticed. His attention was stuck on Sasuke's face, and oh god was he beautiful. The faint rays of light highlighted the bluish tint to his dark bangs, framing his perfectly chiseled features. Naruto could count the times he'd brushed his tan knuckles over those smooth cheeks, and all of them were precious memories to him. At first the two of them hadn't gotten along, but soon Naruto had found himself appreciating Sasuke's intelligent conversation, sarcastic humor, and fighting style that looked more like dancing than anything else. He'd been captivated, and even if someone told him he'd been put under a spell he wanted nothing more than to stay this way, and let these feelings continue to grow within him.
Sasuke was precious to him, and Naruto wanted to tell him and hear those words repeated in the elf's vibrant voice.
The little dragon nuzzled Sasuke's cheek, and the hint of a smile rendered Naruto breathless. He may be uncertain about many things regarding his future, but whether or not he wanted Sasuke in it wasn't one of them. He stepped out from his hiding place, inhaling deeply when dark eyes turned towards him.
"Did you get lost sightseeing?" Sasuke asked, a thin eyebrow raised that made Naruto think the elf had known he was watching him the whole time.
"Finding dry sticks in a wet forest isn't the easiest," he muttered, dropping his burden on the ground next to their makeshift fireplace.
Sasuke walked over to him, placing the dragon on top of his shoulder before removing his bow and arrows, leaning them against a rock. Kneeling he helped Naruto arrange the sticks, scratching the dragon's belly as a thanks after it had coughed out a flame that successfully lit a fire.
"Sasuke…" Naruto started, both of them getting up again.
He reached his hand out, lightly tracing Sasuke's jaw, taking a step closer but creasing his brows when Sasuke took a step away.
"Your memory is not that bad," Sasuke told him, removing his hand and hardening his gaze when Naruto linked their fingers.
"I remember you kissing me this morning."
"And I remember telling you it was the last one you'll get."
Naruto's stomach churned. He'd done his best not to think about that, and squeezing Sasuke's fingers he pulled him closer.
"Well I don't want it to be the last one."
He locked his eyes with Sasuke's, trying to read the emotion he could see flickering inside them. He hadn't disagreed earlier, because he didn't think Sasuke was serious. How could he be, with kiss-swollen lips and half-lidded eyes, and hands cupping Naruto's face tightly?
"It's not so difficult to understand. You're human and I'm an elf. We should never have started anything and we won't continue it."
Gritting his teeth Naruto glared daggers, his arm wounding around Sasuke's back and pressing their chests flush against each other.
"Let me go."
Sasuke's voice was monotonous, and Naruto tried to swallow back his anger.
"Why are you acting like this? You're an idiot if you say there's nothing between us."
"And you're an idiot if you think there is. You are human, and I'm an elf prince. Those facts can't be changed."
Naruto's mouth fell open. He thought Sasuke knew.
"Seriously? That's your problem?"
Sasuke's soft lips thinned into a line, and there was a cold glint in his gaze that made Naruto remember what his father had once told him. Elves don't form bonds with other species because their hearts are scared of loss.
"Your lifetime won't mean much to me. The life expectancy of a human is around fifty years. Considering you're not a commoner, it might be longer, but considering you like getting yourself into trouble I doubt you'll last long."
"Is that so, Lord Sasuke." Naruto's voice was as frosty as his glare. "For someone so old you aren't very observant."
He searched Sasuke's face, remembering the feeling of brushing his lips over flawless skin, the taste of Sasuke's tongue, the contours of his pointed ears as he caressed them in the dark.
"You never bothered asking me about my background, so I thought you knew. My father may be the human archduke Namikaze Minato, but my mother was Kushina from the Uzumaki clan."
Eyes widening a fraction, Sasuke bit his lip in recognition.
"I suppose my father had his reasons for not telling me I had to spend time in the company of a demon's son."
"So as you can see, time is hardly a relevant factor."
Naruto had expected Sasuke to agree with him and then everything would be perfect, but instead the frown on his face deepened.
"And you think you being half demon isn't a problem for me?"
No, Naruto didn't think that. He let go of Sasuke's hand, caressing his jawline briefly before cupping his neck. Leaning in, he brushed his lips over Sasuke's, feeling them tingle at the contact.
"I will spend as much time as I need to convince you it isn't," he breathed out, confident in his persuasive abilities.
"You can't, and we can't. We're going to finish this mission, and then we'll go our separate ways and never meet again."
Sasuke pushed him away, but Naruto wouldn't budge more than a few centimeters. It was ridiculous that the elf couldn't just admit that they had something special, because Naruto was sure that he could spend millennia loving Sasuke more each day.
"Even if you leave me I will chase you to the end of the world and back," he argued, clutching the fabric of Sasuke's cloak. "Even if it takes me centuries, I will make you admit that you're wrong, and that we're meant for each other."
Pressing their bodies close again he could feel Sasuke's heart pounding in his chest, confirming the words he'd just uttered. They may not have known each other long, but from the moment their lips touched for the first time Naruto knew in his heart that no one else could ever make him feel the same as Sasuke did. Even now, in the midst of an argument, his body ached to touch Sasuke, to feel his hands run all over his body as they lost themselves to pleasure.
"Even if you chase me, even if you don't give up, there's nothing you can do to change reality." Sasuke's voice quivered, and his hand gently closed over the one on his neck to pull it away. "You should spend your time more wisely."
Before Naruto had time to answer, Sasuke placed a soft kiss over his lips, eyes closed as he lingered there. It was painful and sweet, a farewell, but Naruto was certain.
It wouldn't be the last one.
xxx
Naruto ran. Three steps, four, a pounding in his ears blocking out all sound. Had he been able to hear, his brain still wouldn't have registered the agonized roar of the creature falling to its death too close to them, knotted tail swinging wildly. All he could feel was his own agony, ripping his heart to pieces as he caught Sasuke's collapsed body in his shaking hands. He fell to his knees, cradling him gently in his arms, the smell of blood invading his nostrils as liquid red dampened the torn open fabric covering Sasuke's chest.
Sasuke grimaced when Naruto's fingers lightly traced the wounds the creature's claws had made, Naruto's soul bleeding with him.
"Sasuke," he choked out desperately, "Oh god, Sasuke."
"That's lord Sasuke to you."
The elf's voice was weak, and he coughed out some blood with another pained grimace. Naruto let out a helpless chuckle that ended in a sob, hot tears starting to stream down his face. He didn't want to laugh, didn't want Sasuke to make jokes, because the elf could be dying and Naruto felt so useless.
"Don't you dare," he sobbed, tightening his hold around Sasuke's shoulders, "Don't you dare leave me like this."
Sasuke's eyes were closed, his breathing shallow and raspy, and Naruto wanted to scream. What was Sasuke even doing there?! All he knew was that he'd been pushed into a corner by the beast, sword ready but no plan yet, when someone had jumped down from the three meter cliff behind him in a blur of forest green. It took him about as long to realize it was Sasuke, as it took for the elf to shoot two arrows deep into the creature's eye and throat. By then he yelled Sasuke's name, something he was going to regret for the rest of his measly existence because Sasuke had glanced back at him, only noticing the incoming giant claw when it was too late to avoid it.
He'd staggered, hunching in pain, and it was all Naruto's fault.
Naruto didn't notice he was crying until a slender hand reached for his face, thumb wiping a few tears away only to leave room for more.
"You are such a crybaby," Sasuke murmured, hissing when Naruto all but crushed his hand in his own, leaning his cheek into the touch.
"Because I love you," Naruto whispered hoarsely, "Because it's been three centuries and I still love you and the first time I see you in five years, you're-"
He stopped, forcing down the lump in his throat. He couldn't say it. Sasuke was dying and he hadn't even convinced him to spend his life together with him yet.
"Why did you do that?" he forced out, silently praying to every god he'd ever heard of to save him.
"Who knows." Sasuke tried clearing his throat, resulting in another cough of blood. "My body just moved on its own."
"You, you bastard, you…" Naruto was speechless, and he pressed his mouth to Sasuke's palm, the elf's face paler than normal and making Naruto want to throw up all his guilt.
When Sasuke's eyes opened, Naruto sucked in a sharp breath and held it in. So much emotion swirled within them, and feeling his limbs lose power Naruto slumped over him, rubbing his forehead slowly back and forth against Sasuke's.
"Don't, just don't…"
Naruto's throat was burning, his body was burning, he couldn't think or feel anything that wasn't an aching longing for the life he wished for together with Sasuke.
"Not to ruin your moment or anything, but I think I've broken a few ribs and this position isn't very comfortable."
Naruto's head shot up so fast he could hear his neck protesting. Sasuke sighed, removing his hand from Naruto's hold and carefully put it on the ground next to him, shifting his legs and letting out a pained gasp that had Naruto wincing badly.
"Better," Sasuke grunted before Naruto had time to say anything. "Also what the hell were you thinking, going against an Alphyn on your own?!"
He'd never heard Sasuke swear before. Dark eyes glared weakly at him, the crease between thin brows evidence of the pain he was still in. Naruto's shoulders slumped again, because Sasuke was obviously right since he was dying from protecting Naruto against it.
"They're not supposed to be this vicious," he mumbled, avoiding Sasuke's accusing stare.
The reason he'd spent the past five years on the wrong side of the world was because evil spirits had started to take over magical creatures, forcing them to attack people. While Kakashi tried to figure out the reason, it had been Naruto's job to drive out the spirits by force.
"And you weren't supposed to kill it," he added, even though had the beast stayed alive, he wouldn't think twice over taking it down himself by now.
He glanced over at it, avoiding Sasuke's eyes because who really wants to see their loved ones die? Its lion-like head lay motionless, the mane thick and colored a matted gold as blood flowed from its wounds. Naruto felt nauseated again.
"Well I prefer staying alive, thank you very much."
Naruto whipped his head around, staring down at Sasuke with wide eyes. The elf was busy inspecting the claw marks stretching across his chest, opening up his embroidered vest and then tearing open his undershirt.
"You- weren't you dying just a moment ago?!"
Sasuke huffed, using a dry piece of his shirt to try and wipe some blood off.
"Your lack of faith in me is rather insulting, you know" he calmly said, frowning at the blood that hadn't stopped trickling down his chest yet. "I think I'll need to bandage this."
"You looked like you were dying."
"Well so did you."
"Then why didn't you tell me you were fine?!"
Sasuke thought for a second, tilting his head to the side. Naruto fought the urge to punch him, because while Sasuke seemed like he was going to live he didn't want to do anything to jeopardize that. To his surprise, the elf actually looked a little embarrassed as he answered.
"Well, you were so into it, and I thought that maybe I really was dying and just hadn't noticed yet."
Letting out strangled noises, Naruto shook his head in disbelief. All these years and Sasuke still managed to baffle him. He helped the elf patch himself up as well as possible, supporting his weight on their way back to their horses. As the shock started to wear off it struck him, again, that Sasuke shouldn't be there. After all, he'd gone to visit him before leaving on this mission, and received the disheartening reply that there was no way he'd come see him so far away. Well, that and the usual 'we can't do this', but the last one was starting to get old.
"So why are you here, then? Not that I'm complaining."
"Ah, well, that."
Naruto's eyes narrowed as he took in the elf's reluctant expression.
"Well?"
"Saying it now would make everything seem a bit… overly dramatic, I think," Sasuke muttered, wincing a little when they started climbing a hill. "I wasn't exactly planning on jumping in to save you."
"Admit you were worried about me when you saw me cornered like that."
Sasuke snorted, coughing a little when the action brought about a fresh wave of pain.
"I'm surprised you keep asking questions like that. You should be well aware of how I feel by now."
Stopping mid-step Naruto angled his head to see Sasuke properly.
"No, not really. Please enlighten me."
He could feel his heart beat faster again, because honestly this was the closest Sasuke had ever come to talking about his feelings and Naruto was a starving man stranded in the desert. Or that was how the past years had felt to him, anyway.
"…anyway, my father has gone on a journey, so my brother is in charge for the time being, and he said I'm not needed."
"Itachi really said that?" Naruto was chuckling, but on the inside he sighed as yet another chance to hear Sasuke's true feelings was lost. "Wait, does that mean you've got more time than usual over to see me?"
Sasuke nodded slowly, features softening when Naruto beamed at him.
"I suppose a vacation isn't so bad once in a while."
"Awesome! So how long are you staying?"
"Ten years."
Naruto blinked at him dumbly.
"T-ten… ten years?!"
"Give or take a few months. It's a fairly long trip."
This had to be a dream. The longest they'd ever spent together since that fateful mission ended so long ago was a month, and even that had only happened a handful times.
"You don't look very pleased…" Sasuke trailed off, a worried look passing over his still too pale face.
When fat tears started rolling down tan cheeks again worry changed into alarm, and he held Naruto's cheek to search his eyes.
"I'm dead, aren't I?" Naruto sobbed, "I'm dead because I saw you save me and now you'll stay with me, it has to be a dream, I mean there's no way it can be real, I-"
Sasuke silenced him by squeezing his cheeks, bringing his face up close.
"You're not dead, idiot. I talked to my brother and he kicked me out and dared to call me whiny because my human was off doing dangerous things, so yes I'm going to stick around for ten years but I'm not making any promises about later."
If Sasuke thought it was going to shut Naruto up he was wrong, and sighing through his nose he pulled him into a gentle hug. Naruto didn't think he could stop even if he'd wanted to. There were too many things all at once, but most of all Sasuke had called him his and Naruto wanted to make sweet love to him for days. Weeks. He could make love to him for ten years and only take breaks to eat and sleep.
"I'm so happy," he wailed into Sasuke's neck, smiling wide through his tears when he felt soft lips caress his skin.
And it was true, he was deliriously happy with emphasis on delirious. But they made it back to the closest village, patching Sasuke up as Naruto all but scaled the walls while waiting for him to heal enough for lovemaking.
Three days can feel like a long time even when you've got eternity.
It took six years for Sasuke to get fed up with the human world and bring Naruto back to his kingdom, and when the elf king returned Naruto simply came up with the ingenious plan of refusing to leave, ignoring the hell breaking loose, and so Sasuke was stuck with him.
Which of course meant that, in the end, they definitely (mostly) lived happily ever after.