NARUSUKE

It was the night after training. No matter how much he trained or exhausted his body, loneliness always returned when the sun went down. After training with Kakashi-sensei, he dragged himself back to his room — that empty room that always reminded him of being alone as the day ended.

He took a shower, put on his soft pajamas with the cute hat he liked, and turned off the lights. The moonlight through the window illuminated the emptiness of his room.

He threw himself onto the bed, feeling a heaviness in his chest, and kept staring at the ceiling. His heart couldn't stop remembering the other kids — picked up by their parents, eating with family, having fun with siblings. His eyes filled with tears, streaming silently down the sides of his face. He turned onto his side and hugged the pillow tightly.

A breeze brushed against his face. He sensed someone's presence and looked toward the window.

"Sasuke."

Sasuke's face was clearly visible, lit gently by the moonlight.

He was sitting on the edge of the window — his right leg bent with his right hand resting on it, while his left leg hung down into the room. He was looking at Naruto without blinking.

"You don't have to cry," he said. Naruto quickly wiped his cheeks.

"I'm not crying," he said, sitting up on the bed, facing Sasuke, holding his feet with both hands. His cuteness was overflowing.

"You can't hide from me," Sasuke said, biting his lower lip slightly. He looked a little annoyed.

"Then don't ask me why." Naruto's voice trembled. He was so afraid of sharing his loneliness that it made him closed-off.

"I don't have to. I'm aware of every breath you take." Sasuke's gaze remained fixed on Naruto's face as he rested his head on his hand.

"Stop... staring," Naruto mumbled, finally meeting Sasuke's eyes.

"Come here," Sasuke said, motioning with a finger.

"Don't order me around," Naruto replied, looking down shyly with a pout.

"Come on. I want to show you something," Sasuke said gently.

Naruto looked at him, the corners of his eyes still glistening with tears, then slowly walked toward him.

Sasuke wrapped one leg around Naruto's and placed a hand around his waist, pulling him close until Naruto's chest touched his.

"Look," Sasuke said, holding Naruto's chin and gently tilting it toward the moon.

"When I'm not around you, I look at the moon — because from your room, it's so clear. It reminds me of you." He crossed both legs around Naruto and placed both hands on his waist and tighten the grip.

"So when you feel lonely, look at the moon and think an me. I'm always beside you, watching you… missing you." Naruto looked at Sasuke with wide eyes. Sasuke interlocked their fingers and kissed Naruto's hand. Naruto's face turned red. "Sasuke…" he whispered, closing his eyes with a warm feeling blooming in his heart.