"Marry me."

Naruto almost choked, sending a spray of ramen broth from his mouth. At this point of his life, he sort of expected these two words coming up one day, but first he thought he would be the one uttering it towards some nice girl and second, he'd never predicted that it'd be muttered through his best friend's monotone voice.

"Come again?" Naruto coughed, picking few napkins to clean up the mess.

Adjusting from his seat, Sasuke thinned his lips. "I mean it. We're the last ones who didn't hook up from our group, I think? Everyone in our age group is either married or soon to be married."

"Um, that's hardly an excuse why I should accept your proposal, bastard. Are you out of your fucking mind?"

Sasuke rolled his eyes. "We're already pushing thirties, Naruto. Also, people are nagging me to settle down and marry some girl and it's really annoying."

"Well, you could choose one of them to marry. Just close your eyes and point in a random direction, I'm sure you'll find one out of your endless horde of fangirls." Naruto shrugged, drinking his glass of water.

"As if you didn't have a horde of your own." Naruto blinked, not quite capturing Sasuke's quiet grumble. Before he would question it, his friend said. "No, I'm not in the mood to marry someone I barely know. Not to mention that I have a feeling that most of them are the nagging, immature bunch."

"Yeah well, sucks to be you. Why can't you just do what regular people would do? Like meeting some person you'll find interesting, dating and so on?"

"Too troublesome."

"Now you're sounding exactly like Shikamaru."

"It is quite a hassle. All the time wasted looking for someone who would fit your tastes and all the boring conversation you'll have to do to get to know him or her, I'd rather live as a hermit than do anything like it."

"Well, you should try it one day, who knows you might find someone you like." Naruto snorted.

Sasuke harrumphed. "You're really not one to talk. You got two, or three dates with Sakura I think? Before both realizing that you'd rather stay as friends. And then your date with Hinata was such a disaster that she instantly dropped her crush on you once this was over. As well as some other girls later."

"You know it's your fault right." Naruto poked Sasuke's shoulder viciously. "Every time I'm on a date for some reason you're always nearby to ruin it and I'm sure you're doing this on purpose to laugh on my face."

"It's a coincidence, I assure you." Sasuke grumbled, though a smirk playing on the corner of his lips told otherwise. "It's not my fault that those girls couldn't handle some minor issues here and there."

Blue eyes narrowed in response, his lower lip jutting out.

"Also, instead of choosing any woman which I'm sure there'll be nagging banshees that would continue to annoy me no matter what, marrying a guy would ought to shut them up, knowing that they have no chance. It's perfect."

"Yeah, it's perfect for you, but why should I even marry you then?" Naruto grouched.

"What, haven't you heard about the advantages of being married in Konoha?" Sasuke said.

"Wh⏤what?" Naruto straightened up, furrowing his eyebrows.

"You know that a lot of ninjas, due to hazards from our work, end up fearing getting attached to anyone. But for a huge village like Konoha who needs the population to keep on growing, this is not a good sign at all."

"Right…" Naruto nodded. "And then?"

"So they approved some laws to stimulate more marriages, and I'm sure it'll help us plenty too. Tax cuts from housing, higher wages and safer missions for us, getting discounts in some inns, and I heard they even give some money to spend on honeymoon."

Naruto scratched the back of his head, mumbling. "Yeah well, sounds nice but...I don't know…"

"And I'm not the only one who had this idea Naruto. I heard plenty shinobis out there only married on paper so they could get these advantages, when they are pretty much just friends. It's easier for both of us to buy groceries, the expenses cut in half, and I can take care of your plants while you're off in a mission."

Naruto was quite impressed by all the amount of research Sasuke had done before starting this whole conversation. At first it appeared to be some kind of spur of the moment thing that his friend blurted out of nowhere but now it really felt that Sasuke had rehearsed the whole speech before presenting this idea. Was Sasuke running into some financial problems maybe?

And yet, Naruto groaned, squirming a little from his seat. "I guess you're making this look kinda interesting but I don't know...I still want to meet the one instead of using my marriage as some sort of contract. Sorry about that." He muttered, one finger scratching his cheek. He wondered why he was feeling such guilt, seeing his best friend's disappointed expression. He stood up, placing the money on the counter, his body already turning to the exit. "But I'm really happy you proposed this idea! Maybe you'll get someone else who will agree⏤"

"I really need to marry soon." Sasuke cut his diatribe, hand clutching on Naruto's arm in a vice grip.

The thinly veiled desperate tone caught his attention, as Naruto faced the dark-haired nin. "Why? What do you mean by that?"

Sasuke sighed loudly. "It's sort of...in the Uchiha clan, you can only fully reach adulthood once you marry someone. And my parents made sure to write on my will that I have to become an adult to get my inheritance, but my age limit is before I'm on my thirties. Or else, all the money will go to some distant relative, someone who is not even part of the clan."

"...oh." Naruto sat back next to Sasuke, grimacing in sympathy. "That sucks. So that's why huh? Or else you wouldn't blurt out of nowhere to me."

Sasuke shrugged. "It doesn't sound that bad right. I mean, we are practically married. We know each other pretty well, you're already used to my habits and vice-versa and I can't get you dumbass out of my sight no matter how much I try to shake you off, so it's pretty close to a marriage right."

"Yeah well, aside the fact we're just friends, and marriage is usually with someone you love." Naruto muttered incredulous. He noticed Sasuke stiffening on the corner of his eye before the Uchiha rolled his eyes in response. "Alright well, in any case, we can divorce once this is over."

Sasuke studied him for a while, before he broke the eye contact. "Whatever."

"Well, now thinking that not everything is set on stone, maybe this whole thing sounds more attractive to me." Naruto nodded to himself, grinning.

"So you're in?"

There was probably a weird ingredient in the Ramen broth, because for some reason Naruto imagined that Sasuke's voice sounded giddy...somehow. Which is a completely wild and crazy concept, right? Right.

"Um…" He mumbled. "I still need some time to think through ok? I'll give you an answer soon."

"Hn." Sasuke continued with his usual smooth self, assuring Naruto that whatever he noticed seconds prior was definitely some kind of weird hallucination.

⏤.⏤

"Sasuke asked you to marry him?" Bright emerald eyes blinked owlishly, as if she was taking time to fully absorb this bout of information.

"Yeah, something about having to marry to get his inheritance or anything like that." Naruto muttered, while he drank his green tea.

"Ah. So that's what he said huh." Sakura also sipped the warm beverage, contemplating. "Interesting…" She said, fingers drumming on the table absentmindedly.

Naruto stared at her then squinted his eyes. "Why are you smiling like this?"

Sakura tilted her head to one side, placing one hand on her face. "Like what?"

"Like…you're amused about some inside joke I'm not getting."

"Am I? Naaaah, it must be your imagination." She waved her hand, standing up from her seat. "Soooooo...you want to accept it?"

"Well...I don't know, because it's Sasuke...you know? My best friend and well, it's all just too weird marrying your best friend." Naruto groaned.

"Lee is one of my best friends and I'm married to him." Sakura pointed out.

Naruto opened and then closed his mouth, conceding. "Okay, but well. It's still Sasuke you know."

Sakura hummed, savoring the tea. "Well, aside that, you know that Konoha has plenty of laws that⏤"

"Favor married people, I know, Sasuke told me about that before." Naruto grumbled.

"So what's stopping you?"

"Errr...honestly I don't get you guys. Did I step into some weird dimension or some shit like that for you two to insist in this marriage? I don't...see Sasuke in a romantic way, so why should I marry him?" Naruto shrugged awkwardly.

He also attempted not to shift too much from Sakura's scrutinizing eyes, his nervousness spiking as she kept on her silent analysis.

She relented at last, slumping from her seat. "You know, marriage is so much more than just physical attraction and mutual feelings. It's a complex concept, like sharing your entire life with someone you adore, see his pains and achievements, juggle our days between habits, flaws and qualities. Till death do us apart." Picking up her kettle, she poured more hot liquid in Naruto's cup as she resumed her speech. "And I can see this happening between you two you know? Despite the lack of romance."

"But...the whole reason of a marriage is making those romantic feelings real, written in paper. Take this out and there's only friendship and I'm pretty satisfied with what Sasuke and I have as it is." Naruto responded back.

"Yeah, but don't forget about Sasuke's problem, his inheritance." Sakura pointed out. "Look." She approached and seized his hands. "We know Sasuke really well, like...half of our lives. And you know him the best. Sasuke is not someone who would express his emotions to anyone, only to people he's really fond of, you're one of them. So you really think that Sasuke would ask for help this easily, not unless he trust this person completely? Think about it."

Naruto huffed, dropping his shoulders. "Yeah...I guess…"

"And well...considering the past from both of you, all the hardships you two went together...it's nice, right?" Sakura smiled, making Naruto bewildered in return. "Have someone constantly in your life, erasing your loneliness. I'm sure you'll enjoy his companionship the most Naruto."

He frowned, staring down the tea cup, now lukewarm.

Soon after he thanked Sakura's advice, he hopped through the village, finding Sasuke's apartment. Grinning mischievously, Naruto slid the window open as silent as he could, gliding in the bedroom and ready spook his friend out, grabbing his shoulder and⏤ he was suddenly pressed down, kunai dangerously close to his throat and red irises shining in midst of the night.

"It's me! Geez grouchy much?" Naruto yowled, picking up the kunai in a deft move and slithering away from Sasuke's grasp.

Sharingan still glared in response. "What do you want? Dumbass."

"Yeah, about that." Naruto chirped out. "Let's get married then!"

Sasuke blinked, his mouth opening to a discreet yawn that he covered with his hand. "It's late night. You could have told me about this tomorrow morning."

Naruto huffed, crossing his arms. "But⏤"

"Tomorrow Naruto." Sasuke muttered, laying back on his bed as his hand shooed Naruto away. "I'll call the city council to book our appointment." He heard a suspicious movement and added. "Don't you dare do any prank now."

Naruto blew a raspberry back but still left him alone.

On the next morning Sasuke told him that, surprisingly, there was an hour available on the same day. Naruto wanted Iruka to participate the event, but the older nin was away in a monthly mission, so both men agreed that it'd be better if they married now.

Naruto glanced around the stuffy room, his feet tapping repeatedly while they waited for their turn. Honestly, this looked more like they were just there to grab some documents instead of marrying. He heard their call as they hurried to the room, being greeted by the officiant's apathetic gaze. He began reciting the speech in a droning tone, that Naruto had already heard plenty times in movies before, the ceremony progressing without a hitch.

Sasuke signed his name, agreeing that from now on they would share a new surname Uchiha-Uzumaki. Shrugging, Naruto signed his consent, wondering why he was so reluctant about this whole thing.

"Congratulations, you may kiss your husband now."

Oh, that's why.

Naruto turned to stare at his best friend-turned-husband with wide eyes, even if Sasuke returned his gaze with apparent nonchalance. Never in his life he'd imagine that he'd do something like that to Sasuke, well, the first accidental kiss didn't count. He hoped he's not a lame kisser, he could count with his hands the amount of kisses he'd done in the past, he should have checked if his breath didn't stink, and oh God, he's not overthinking was he?

Naruto's brain took a halt when Sasuke started to approach towards him. He squinted his eyes, squaring his shoulders until he heard the officiant thanking them. Bewildered, he blinked open, as Sasuke was shaking hands with everybody, now his mind slowly registering at last the softest brush of lips that ended way too soon. Naruto glanced down, the small pang of disappointment coming from his chest.

Wait...what?

"Maybe we should celebrate this milestone after all. I'm thinking ordering some sushi, what do you think?" Sasuke suggested as they were exiting the building.

Naruto perked up at the food mention, his scattered thoughts forgotten. "Cool! I'm down with sushi, I'll buy some sake for us to drink."

Sasuke nodded. "Good. And tomorrow I'll help you packing your things to move in."

"Huh? Wait, this is all happening so fast. And which house we're going to live in, by the way?"

"If I remember well, you said that yours is rented right?" When Naruto nodded, Sasuke added. "The house I'm living is mine though, so it's one less expense in our pockets. Also, it's spacious enough for two men."

"I guess...but do I have to move so soon?" He rubbed the back of his blond head.

"It's better strike while the iron is hot. Now that we're married we can ask for some days off to organize everything."

So before Naruto could realize himself, he was already occupied folding his clothes and placing in big cardboard boxes, with Sasuke cleaning up the room afterwards. Overall he didn't have that many possessions, it was mostly clothes, his plants and some furniture here and there, most of them Sasuke had a hard time convincing Naruto to throw it out since he struggled to relinquish his beloved lumpy orange-colored couch.

Carrying them all was an easier task since they used their respective summoned animals, even if Gamakichi protested that he wasn't some kind of carriage mule. Naruto managed to quiet him down with promises that he'd give him some food in return. He glanced as Sasuke patted his hawk's beak, the gigantic bird taking flight. Why was the bastard's summons so much more cooperative than his?

Another couple of hours were used to put his things in Sasuke's house, though Naruto was positively surprised that they wasted fewer hours than expected. There were a lot of empty spaces for him.

"These closets are yours." Sasuke gestured the furniture on the right. He opened his cabinets and said. "The first three shelves are also yours."

"Thanks! Wow, how did you manage to clean up your clothes so fast in one day?" Naruto wondered though he only received a shrug back.

Their dinner was unexpectedly nicer than usual, with Naruto cooking and Sasuke setting the table, eating with their usual banter. Hey…He could get used to this, Naruto wondered, as the evening was spent watching a movie together. Soon his eyelids were feeling quite heavy as he widened a very tired yawn from his mouth.

"I guess it's almost time to sleep huh. Tomorrow morning you have some classes with Kakashi." Sasuke muttered.

"Hmm...yeah. I guess I'll sleep on the couch right?"

"Why? Let's just share our bed."

"Errr…it's actually your bed and you're probably used to have it all for yourself right? I shouldn't bother you."

Sasuke scoffed, turning around and walking to the bedroom. "Nonsense. My bed is big enough for both of us, it won't be an issue." He gestured, laying on one side to show his point. He raised himself to a seating position, staring at Naruto.

"Well, if you say so." Naruto mumbled, glancing down and shifted his feet.

In their bathroom, Sasuke practically dragged him to brush his teeth, launching a lecture about hygiene habits and so on. This bantering eased Naruto about the whole sharing bed thing, as they slept elbow jabbing the other.

⏤.⏤

Naruto groaned, the alarm clock ringing him awake as he struggled to move. His body was still in adjustment, sleeping in a much more softer surface in comparison to his old, hard bed. Yawning, he gingerly opened his eyes to realize that he was nestled on Sasuke's chest.

How did⏤When did⏤What? Naruto reasoned himself, in an attempt to calm down. Maybe they moved while sleeping and this was an unfortunate position to be woken up, that's all, he shouldn't look too much into it. Yes, that's it. Now he really should stop being so aware of his best friend's close proximity that he could feel the warmth emanating from his body. Naruto breathed in, also picking up a pleasant scent coming from Sasuke, making him wonder if his friend was wearing some cologne or this was just his natural odor. Sasuke smelled really nice.

Oooookay, he was going insane, he should stop this. Now. Naruto grumbled about stupid bastard and his stupid pheromones, affecting his judgement somehow. He shifted backwards to widen the distance, realizing that Sasuke's hands were linked behind his back, limiting his movements. He was beginning to wonder how Sasuke hadn't woken up yet, perusing the handsome face, the usual knitted eyebrows smoothed out relaxed, jaw a little slack with a slow rhythmical breathing.

Naruto stiffened, brain panicking when Sasuke began to stir awake, graphite eyes blinking, realizing his surroundings. He turned to focus on the blond man's nervous glance, Naruto braced himself for any kind of reaction. However, Sasuke closed in dropping a simple kiss on the top of his head. "Morning." He muttered, yawning discreetly as he went to the bathroom.

Naruto remained frozen for a while, his mind asking for a much needed reboot to comprehend what the fuck had just happened. His best friend maybe, probably, definitely kissed his head. Naruto would have never guessed that Sasuke was a cuddler type, much less an affectionate one on mornings. Who the hell is this man and who snatched the usual cold bastard he knew?

Staring Sasuke's back as the latter finished his morning ritual, Naruto mused the need to inquiry. He opened his mouth, until Sasuke turned to face him. "I'm thinking cooking some breakfast, you like toast with some scrambled eggs right?"

Naruto quirked an eyebrow, but answered nevertheless. "Yeah, sure. It'd be nice." He got ready for the day as he heard a sizzling sound coming from the kitchen. How comforting this feels, listening to noises in his home instead of the deafening silence back when he lived alone. Feeling his mood improving exponentially, Naruto grinned, sitting on a nearby table until Sasuke finished it up and placed the food for them.

There was no sign of any drastic change coming from his friend, Naruto observed as Sasuke ate his bread in small bites. Maybe Sasuke was half-awake when he kissed his head, so this was probably a one-time thing. Nothing to be alarmed for.

They went on with their usual routine, jumping and sprinting to the Hokage tower, though Sasuke arrived first much to Naruto's chagrin. As they went inside, Naruto was ready to launch the usual quip about the Uchiha's victorious smirk till he took a halt. Sasuke noticed the blond nin's slower steps, questioning. "What?"

Naruto quirked an eyebrow, raising their hands to show their fingers linked.

Sasuke shrugged. "Hn. Better do this to show the fangirls our current situation so they can stop pestering around. Which reminds me…" He rummaged his pocket and showed two rings to Naruto. "Here, one is yours."

Blue eyes stared in mild astonishment, voicing out. "Uh… Do we really have to? Just the fact we're holding hands should discourage them right?"

"Am I really going to waste the opportunity to flaunt the fact that we're married? This way they will give up once and for all. It's just a ring dumbass, nothing big." Sasuke said, placing his own ring on his finger.

Naruto gazed for a minute before also putting it on too. His new marital status was finally driving home, watching the shocked faces and bellowing screams from the passersby, while they were walking to the Hokage's office.

"Well…I guess I'll see you later." Naruto said opening the door, while Kakashi and his assistants were waiting him to start the Hokage's apprenticeship.

Sasuke grunted, nodding. "Have a nice day." He muttered, then he dropped a kiss on the whiskered cheek while Naruto's guard was down.

"Sasuke, what⏤" Naruto exclaimed though Sasuke intervened.

"I just needed an extra convincing gesture. I think we succeeded here."

Naruto turned around to see all eyes staring in stunned silence, some even let the mission reports slide to the ground, every jaw dropped in the scene.

He soon shut the door, his face beef red. Everyone recomposed themselves, resuming their conversation even if they gesticulated in stiff movements.

Walking towards the Hokage, the blond man scratched his head. "Um. So…Sasuke and I are married now."

Kakashi gazed back flabbergasted, dawning in comprehension till he responded. "Oooh, I see. I guess some congratulations to Sasuke is in order!"

Naruto narrowed his eyes. "And why do you want to congratulate specifically Sasuke when I'm married too?"

"Hm." His teacher closed his eyes in amusement and the expression was eerily similar to Sakura's somehow. "I guess you're right. Congratulations Naruto."

Naruto ignored the teasing barb with a roll of eyes, as they concentrated in their tasks, Kakashi teaching him Konoha laws and so on.

Naruto ended up eating lunch with Sasuke, trying very hard not to blush too much when his…husband kissed him again on the cheek before they returned to work. He really ought to start getting used to call his best friend in this new naming from now on.

Fortunately once they were home, they returned to their usual selves, shifting to a comfortable zone Naruto was familiar with. It was hardly a chore adapting to this lifestyle, as expected, Sasuke fit perfectly well to him despite the differences. He tasked himself to clean up the house, Naruto learned not to leave trash on the ground after some sharp complaints. On the other hand, Naruto was responsible for cooking and washing clothes, both laying exhausted watching TV to pass the day.

As weeks have progressed, it was getting increasingly difficult to assess his companion. Sasuke was acting...uh...strange. As soon as they were outside their house, Sasuke insisted holding his hand to, in his words, reinforce their relationship status and not create any unnecessary gossip. But people were getting used to see them together in that way, drawing lesser gasps whenever Sasuke would kiss him in the ninja quarters.

Naruto could rationalize that what they were doing outside was only for appearances, so he sort of accepted this situation. He couldn't come up with an excuse, however, whenever he would wake up with Sasuke's arms enveloped around his body, an automatic kiss on his head ensuing later.

The third time this happened, Naruto confronted him. Sasuke gazed back in apparent composure, muttering. "You move too much while you're sleeping, it's the only way I can get you stay still so I can sleep."

The blond nin raised his eyebrows, conceding this well-crafted explanation. Then, he muttered. "Yeah well, but what about the kiss? Why do you do that?"

Sasuke droned out. "What kiss?"

"You always kiss me on my head once you wake up." Naruto pressed on, licking his lips.

"Do I?"

Naruto gave him a deadpan look, nodding.

His husband used few minutes in quiet contemplation, then stared back.

"Hm, maybe I did." Sasuke muttered airily, crossing his arms. "Why? Do you hate it?"

Taking off guard from Sasuke's sincerity, it was Naruto's turn to fall silent. He scratched the back of his head, shrugging. "No, I don't hate it, it's...well." Weird. Weird in the sense that it's weird he's not disliking this. At all.

"Well then, so what's all the fuss is about?"

Naruto was at loss with words, feeling his face heating up as he glanced down, fumbling his thumbs. Since he couldn't come up with a retort back, they went to bed as usual, but this time Naruto even allowed Sasuke to lace his arms around his waist, nose burrowing on the golden hair and letting out a contented sigh before they slept. When did the tables had turned around this way?

Things have changed since, with little details that were very noticeable for an affection starved person like Naruto. He knew that Sasuke wasn't one with pointless movements, so whatever he did, hid a special meaning within. He was acutely aware whenever the touches would linger, the kisses would stretch few seconds more, hand squeezing a little tighter when they went shopping together.

As his heartbeats would increase whenever his husband would act like that, Naruto really really didn't want to recognize an unnamed feeling that was wedging all the way in. It's⏤it's weird. It's weird and awkward and highly embarrassing that he would have this kind of emotion towards his best friend, and the fact that he was enjoying these interactions made the whole issue so much worse.