I was watching Code Geass and decided to write something short and slightly ansty(?) to do with Sai and Naruto. do not ask me how i made that connection. i have NO IDEA.

Warnings: Yaoi.. implied smex... possible other things...

Disclaimer:sadly i do not own.

I COULD LEARN TO LOVE YOU

He could see the loneliness dwelling within the deep blue depths of his friend's eyes but could only stare back with an impassive smile that failed to reach his obsidian eyes. He could see the need, the raw human desire in those eyes to be loved just as he loved another who had failed to return the feelings, but all Sai could do was watch.

It was tragic really, Sai mused, that he was incapable of having emotions, or showing them at least. Sure, he had read books about it and continued to study the all elusive emotions but they never seemed to go right for him.

He could see pain swirling in azure eyes and he was surprised when one day, slowly the pain began to reach into his own heart, as though seeing his friend hurt, actually caused him pain as well. It was strange and unpleasant and he was unhappy knowing that this was what Naruto had to deal with every day of his life.

He vowed to change it in any way possible, to make a conscious effort to make that suffering disappear.

Still everyday he saw the pain, the isolation, the need for another human being in those eyes and he obliged, feeling that perhaps he could ease the loneliness by offering himself as comfort.

Days turned into nights and Sai made his move. Naruto was perhaps so broken up inside and misguided from his loss, that he didn't know what he was agreeing to. But he agreed nonetheless.

Nights turned into days and they became closer, they went on dates, they presented themselves as a couple to their – or rather, to Naruto's – friends.

Days turned into nights, they would make-love as Sai heard people call it and Naruto would lay beneath him panting and moaning his name only to later fall asleep and dream of Sasuke, he would talk rather loudly in his sleep.

Nights turned into days and slowly the pain and the loneliness and the empty need for another human, disappeared, slowly the dreams stopped and Naruto only spoke of Sai.

Days turned into nights and as they lay together, sweating and panting, curled up beneath the sheets, breathless and tired, Naruto whispered three words he'd only ever said to one person before this; "I love you."

Maybe, Sai thought as he was filled with a warm glow at the sound of those words, maybe I could learn to love you back.