Part XI (Epilogue): Best of Me

I don't wanna lie no more
I don't wanna hide no more
What I found in you is so real

"Best of Me"
JOHN.k

Naruto looked over his reply tweet to Sasuke's recent post and, smiling to himself, hit send. How many times had he watched Sasuke's video compilation of their Tokyo trip? Ten? Fifteen? Twenty times? Much to his surprise (and pleasure), Sasuke had made him the focus—not the scenery—of the entire video. Everything from when they were in the shared taxi to Naruto stuffing his face with food to their visit to Disneyland. Naruto should've thought he was filmed with the intent of making him look like an utter idiot, except that's not how it felt at all. In fact, he was startled because, for him, it felt like a big fat love confession that Sasuke had posted for the world to see. He should've been terrified, but, instead, his selfish, love-struck ass was flattered.

Of course, there were fans blowing up their social feeds with theories on why just the two of them took a solo trip, why Sasuke had chosen a gay male artist for the background song, and some were positive it was all proof that he and Sasuke were an item. Yet, for every fan who had guessed the truth, there were just as many who were fine with calling it a friendship trip.

And, they weren't wrong. Uchiha Sasuke was his best friend and, now, something more. He almost felt guilty causing yet another small "scandal" amongst their fanbase, but this is one thing he wanted to call his own, to nurture and hold dear, to not feel like he has to explain. Because this was just about he and Sasuke. Maybe GCF could suffer consequences because of their decision to move forward with a relationship (had they officially said those words yet?), but they knew how to be careful. They knew how to use their own fans as shields. After all, Sasuke had obtained permission to post the video on official channels, so it wasn't as if he'd turned into a complete rebel. Although, Naruto had seen it for the first time only after Sasuke posted—though he'd known Sasuke had locked himself inside his (closet) to edit it. He just hadn't known Sasuke was this good at editing videos. Jesus. Not that he should be surprised, as Sasuke could jump into anything and compete with seasoned professionals. When they were young, Naruto used to get so jealous that Sasuke could catch on so fast and Naruto had to work his ass off well into the late night hours to keep up with everyone.

The first time, though. The first time he watched through he'd been in shock. The second time he cried because, although Sasuke had shared how he felt about Naruto, this was like seeing himself through Sasuke's eyes. And it was—

Overwhelming?

Yeah.

Without checking the responses on his (mildly flirty) reply to Sasuke's posting, he locked his phone and set it to the side. He lay on his bed, staring up at the ceiling, pondering this ache in his chest. It was amazing, really. To feel like they could be open about this to the world, but on their own terms. Honestly, he was still so surprised Sasuke had the balls to do this. God, he knew Sasuke was his own person and did what he wanted regardless of what others thought, but this was on a whole other level, and yet—it made him feel a sense of freedom and peace he hadn't felt since prior to their debut. When they could be regular people. Not that he was ungrateful for what they'd achieved over the years, how they'd grown so popular they couldn't really go out on their own anymore unless disguised in costumes (like they'd done last week for Halloween while walking around various Tokyo districts).

His heart skipped a beat when there was a light knock on his door.

"Come in," he said, knowing already that it was Sasuke.

Sasuke peeked his head in through the crack after opening the door. Naruto thought it adorable that he looked almost tentative.

"You saw?"

Naruto forced his expression to remain neutral. "I did."

Sasuke stepped inside his room, quietly closing the door behind him. He wrung his hands, and Naruto had to bite the inside of his cheek to keep from smiling.

"Well…" He took a step closer to Naruto's bed. "What did you think?"

"Couldn't you tell by my post?" Naruto asked, sitting up to lean against the headboard.

"Not… really." Sasuke remained where he was, a few feet from the bed. "That's why I came."

"It's a three-minute long video that features only me. Why wouldn't I like it?"

"Naruto," he breathed, eyes searching his, "I'm being serious."

He couldn't hold it in anymore and burst into a grin. "Of course I loved it, you ballsy bastard. God, and you even used that song? Have you seen the comments so far?"

Sasuke shrugged, taking a seat on the edge of the bed, hand searching out Naruto's. They clasped their fingers together.

"I don't care about the comments. I care what you think."

Naruto brought the back of Sasuke's hand to his lips and kissed it. "You should know what I think. If I'd known you were going to make a video like that, I might've tried to dress better and not act so goofy."

"First of all, you looked hot," Sasuke smirked, "And those are the things I love about you the most. Always have. Your stupid goofy side and how you get excited over the simplest things. Because you're my simple idiot." He brushed Naruto's bangs to the side, tucking them behind his ear.

"I'm still older than you." Naruto's eyes crinkled at the corners, his smile so big it was starting to hurt. "Show some respect."

"Of course." Sasuke bowed slightly, leaned forward, and kissed Naruto's forehead.

"Have you heard from the other members?" Naruto asked casually. "About the video?"

"They all said they liked it. Suigetsu texted me that it was gay."

"Well, he's not wrong." Naruto brushed his finger under his nose.

"Hn. Is that… okay?"

"Is what okay?" Naruto's brows knit in confusion.

"It is very gay."

"So I noticed, but… wasn't that the point? You little rebel you."

"Yeah, but I didn't exactly ask for your permission."

"Do you need to?"

Sasuke fidgeted, loosening the grip on Naruto's hand to play with a ring on his finger (a ring that they'd bought on their trip; Sasuke had a matching one currently hanging from a silver chain).

"I wanted it to be a surprise, but… I hoped you would like it."

"I do," he said, wanting to reassure the younger man. "I really do. You knew I would. You'd have to. It's really beautiful, Sasuke. I'm… flattered. I've watched it so many times. I'm gonna have to make my own, you know, so you don't outshine me. Make it with my dumb iPhone app."

"I'd like that."

Leaning in, Sasuke placed a chaste kiss to Naruto's cheek. They stared at each other, expressions swollen with open affection. So much so that Naruto began to feel giddy and shy. He knew his cheeks were flushed red as he glanced down at their hands—the ring on his finger.

"So, what do we call ourselves now?" He asked, voice low.

"Hm?"

"You know… us."

"I didn't think either of us was into labels," Sasuke replied, tone crushingly gentle.

"I'm not." Naruto snuggled closer, turning more on his side, so he could trace the seam running down the pant leg of Sasuke's skinny jeans. "I just…"

"Want to hear me say it?"

"Not you specifically," he murmured, raising his eyes and peering up at Sasuke from underneath his lashes. "Just… yeah."

Sasuke took their hands, palm to palm, interlocking their fingers without curling them, moving them like see-saws. He was being so cute, so affectionate. Naruto wanted to pull him down and make out with him for an hour or two, but they had schedules tomorrow. He should make Sasuke go to bed shortly.

Then, as if reading his mind, Sasuke asked if he could stay the night in his bed.

Like Naruto could refuse him anything. He nodded.

"I need to shower first. Assuming Neji's out of the shower by now." Sasuke let go of his hand and got off of the bed, standing nearby. He bent down, mouth close to Naruto's ear. "Can I get my boyfriend anything while I'm out there?"

Naruto, nose scrunching, felt the tips of his ears grow hot. "Uhh…"

"Uzumaki Naruto of GCF speechless?" Sasuke teased, nibbling at the shell of his ear before giving it a harsh suck. "Who knew I'd ever obtain such a power?"

"Tch." Regaining his senses, Naruto gave him a push. "Don't get cocky. I've seen how you look begging on your knees, Uchiha Sasuke."

It was Sasuke's turn to go from pale to bright red with embarrassment, dark eyes going wide in surprise at first only to narrow. Eventually, he smirked.

"I wouldn't have it any other way," he said. "...I trust you."

Naruto blinked at him, made speechless once again.

"God, I love you," he blurted.

Sasuke stared, multiple emotions flickering across his face before his mouth contorted into a simple grin. "Yeah?"

Naruto nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah."

"I love you, too." Sasuke ran his hand through his hair. He let out a nervous laugh, glancing away for a second and then returning his gaze to Naruto. "I'm, uh, gonna go."

"Okay. Don't be long? None of that fifty-minute shower business."

"Unless you're going to get me on my knees afterward, I'm going to need one of those fifty-minute showers."

Naruto scoffed, laughing into his hand. "Just hurry up, will you? Water's a precious resource."

"Stingy." Sasuke began to turn toward the door, stopped, and decided to step closer to the bed again.

Naruto looked up at him, admiring the younger man's handsome features. Feeling so happy that he thought he might combust. Sasuke returned his smile and then, grasping hold of Naruto's chin, planted a chaste, tender kiss to his lips.

Upon parting, Naruto traced the spot with his tongue, eyelids drooping.

"I'll be back soon. Don't let anyone else warm my side of the bed, huh?"

Naruto blinked at him several times, head cocked to the side. "As if."

Sasuke gave him a brief wave before turning his back and leaving the bedroom. He closed the door quietly behind him, leaving Naruto to these nauseatingly fluffy feelings.

"God, you have it so bad, Naruto," he told himself, touching the pads of his middle and index finger to his lips.

Even though it felt as if he and Sasuke—their relationship—was at the peak of something extraordinary, there was also this fear. Not a fear of getting caught (though they should be careful and responsible), but just that it was possible to feel this much for another person. He'd always loved Sasuke, as a member and as someone who was like a younger brother.

As a man, Sasuke was—

Were there words for how much he felt for Sasuke? The word love seemed so trite. Sasuke was right, too. Labels couldn't possibly encapsulate what they were to each other.

Their bond, what they had together, was more of a feeling, an invisible link. A red string?

Maybe those things sounded cliche, but there weren't a whole lot of words in the Japanese language to describe this sensation constantly thrumming through his body.

Could they really hide this from the world? From staff?

All he knew was—they had to. For the sake of the group. He felt so thankful the other members had accepted their relationship, supported them, and would help protect them.

Just like they'd always done since they debuted as GCF.

Naruto never could've imagined his path would lead not just to his dream of becoming a famous music artist, but to finding someone who complemented and completed him. A best friend, romantic soulmate, someone who understood him on a level no one else ever would.

The members always joked about Naruto being so unlucky, but to be honest… Naruto thought himself the fucking luckiest man in the world these days.

a/n: happy birthday, Taehyung! maybe i was inspired by jk dropping a new gcf on us. thanks for reading!