Chapter Text
“So, what did you want to talk about?” He asked, taking a seat at the table in front of Hinata. They were alone in the big house, with kids at school and his wife’s parents at work. The woman looked at him, nervously playing with her fingers. He could see, by the tense expression on her face, that whatever she wanted to talk about, it was important.
“It’s almost a year since we moved out.” Hinata said quietly, dropping her eyes to the tabletop. “At this point, I don’t think there’s anything we haven’t tried. We have never skipped a single therapist appointment. We tried talking, spicing things up in the bedroom, everything. Yet, after all this time, and efforts we made, you still look like a shadow of the person you used to be.”
Naruto clenched his jaw, and gave his wife an uneasy look. He tried, he really tried to make this marriage better. For the sake of their children, and to redeem his sins. No matter how much he tried, every interaction with Hinata seemed to be faked. He simply wasn’t able to fall in love with her again. It was the only thing he couldn’t do for this marriage, and unfortunately, it was the most important one.
“I’m sorry, Hinata.” He muttered quietly. “I’m really trying to do my best…”
“I know.” The woman interrupted him. “After the months we spent here, I’m sure about it, and that’s the saddest part. I can’t even be angry at you anymore, when you put so much effort into making things right!”
He formed his lips into a thin line, not really sure how to respond to that. Hinata sighed heavily, and rubbed the bridge of her nose.
“You’ve changed.” She whispered sheepishly, avoiding his eyes like the plague. “It looks like one part of you died when I forced you to move here with me. It’s so hard for me because I still love you, and I have to choose between making you miserable for the rest of my life, or letting you go.” Her shoulders started trembling, so he reached out, and grabbed her hand, squeezing it reassuringly. “I can no longer naively hope that it’s going to change. Not after almost a year.”
“Even if you decide that you want a divorce, I’m still going to stay in this town.” He said calmly. “I want to be present in our kids’ lives.”
“I’m not so stupid…” Hinata shook her head almost aggressively. “Divorcing won’t change a thing. You don’t hate living here. You hate living far away from Sasuke.” Her voice became firm with frustration. “Or am I wrong?” The woman finally looked at him, and her eyes were filled with pain. His insides twisted, and all he could do was to swallow hard. He couldn’t say no. It was obvious that this was the reason for his changed behavior. A few months ago, he finally managed to heal his wounds after their breakup, but there was not a single day that he didn’t think about Uchiha. Their affair was so far gone, that sometimes, it felt like it was all only a dream. Those days, he needed to find his well hidden bucket list, and make sure that the best quarter of a year in his life really happened, and wasn’t only his imagination. It was the only physical proof he had.
“Around a month ago, Neji told me that the company he works at is looking for new assistants.” Hinata said after a long while. “They called me back a few days ago. I can start next month.”
Naruto’s eyes shot open, and he stared at his wife with his breath hitched. Neji was working only an hour from the city they used to live in. Could Hinata really forgive him enough to give him such a free pass to reunite with Sasuke?
“I still despise you for what you’ve done.” Hinata said, glaring at him coldly. “But watching you, being so depressed, is not a good revenge. I truly hoped it wouldn’t turn out like this. I thought you are going to forget about him after some time. I don’t want to cut you off from the kids, either. They shouldn’t suffer because of your actions, and my naivety.”
“I…Umm…” He stuttered, overwhelmed by the enormity of emotions that hit him all at once. “I… Thank you, really.” He finally gasped out. Hinata fell silent, and avoided his eyes again.
“So, you agree to this?” She murmured. “Do you think your old company would hire you again?”
“I mean… I need to call them, and ask, but… I guess?” He mumbled. His mind was racing so fast, it was difficult to form a whole sentence.
“Okay.” Hinata nodded her head slowly. “You should take care of this. I would like to get divorced and move there before my work starts.”
ONE YEAR LATER
The warm sand was pleasantly burning his bare feet. It was such a beautiful day. The sky was clear and light blue, the sea was calm, humming softly every time some wave reached the coast. He looked at Sasuke, and his heart skipped a beat. The man was looking incredibly, with the warm sun illuminating his pale face, and shimmering cheerfully in his black eyes. The softest wind was gently moving his dark hair. Their gazes met, and Uchiha smiled at him. Naruto had to fight the urge not to take out his phone and take a photo to capture this moment forever.
He leaned in, gently pressing their lips together, and letting the kiss linger. Sasuke’s lips were warm and soft, sending pleasant shivers through his whole body. The feeling was insane. To be able to kiss him in such a public place, without the need to worry about anyone seeing this. He couldn’t believe it was exactly one year since they officially started dating. Three hundred sixty-five days of bliss.
After a moment, they parted their lips, and looked each other in the eyes, still keeping their faces close to each other. Naruto couldn’t help but smile like a madman. Sasuke smiled back, looking more happy than he had ever seen him before.
"By the love that has brought you here today and by the vows you have pledged, it is my great honor to now pronounce you duly married!” The man standing in front of them exclaimed joyfully, and everyone stood up from their seats, clapping their hands and cheering.
His face started hurting from smiling when he grabbed the raven by the hand, and they went through the lane between the rows of chairs, heading to the tent set up on the side of the beach, while the boombox began playing Wedding March. S hikamaru and Itachi followed them a few seconds later, as their best men.
Sasuke gave his hand a little squeeze, gaining his attention.
“I love you.” The man whispered in his ear, and Naruto smiled impossibly wider.
“I love you too…” He murmured quietly, giving Uchiha a joyful glance. “... my husband.”
Sasuke laughed under his breath, rolling his eyes.
Everyone gathered under the white tent, and they cut the cake. The ceremony was very small, only the closest friends and relatives were invited, overall no more than twenty people.
“Congratulations!” Jiraiya exclaimed, walking over to them almost right away. He tugged both him and Sasuke at once, into a bear hug. “I’m really happy for you that now they let you get married. Variety is the spice of life, after all! Am I right?” The man cackled loudly, and Naruto cringed. He knew his guardian long enough to know that his intentions are good, and it’s only his sense of humor, but the man also had a talent to make Sasuke uncomfortable. Naruto needed a few months to convince Uchiha that his guardian doesn’t hate him, after their first meeting, when Jiraiya greeted his partner saying that he’s flatter than Naruto’s ex-wife, but at least he doesn’t stutter.
“The second time’s the charm, right?” Jiraiya laughed loudly, patting them on their backs. To his horror, Naruto noticed, out of the corner of his eye, that Sasuke’s mother was walking over to them at the same time. He met Mikoto around three times already. She was nothing but polite, but he still had an impression that this woman wanted him dead. One day Sasuke told him that they should be grateful that she at least tolerates this relationship, considering her history.
“I don’t think we have met yet.” Mikoto said, stretching her hand towards Jiraiya. “I assume you are Naruto’s guardian? I’m Mikoto Uchiha, Sasuke’s mom.”
“Very nice to meet you! I’m Jiraiya.” The old man smiled broadly, and took her hand, only to kiss it in the old-fashioned way. He and the raven exchanged cringed looks. They feared this meeting since the very beginning of this relationship.
“I’m afraid I won’t be able to stay too long.” The woman said, though, turning her black eyes to them. Ever since Naruto met her, he couldn’t get over the fact how similar to his spouse she was. “Although, I wanted to congratulate you. I hope… This marriage will work for you.”
“Thanks mom.” Sasuke smiled softly, and Naruto nodded his head enthusiastically. Mikoto hugged her son briefly, and gave him a handshake for goodbye, before leaving the wedding.
“Yayy!” Himawari ran towards them next, leaving behind Boruto and Sarada who were following her slowly. “Congratulations daddy, and dad number two!” The girl exclaimed cheerfully, hugging him first, then Sasuke. Both of them froze at the name. Himawari, despite being now already eight years old, still acted almost exactly the same, being her warm, clingy self. She handled his divorce with Hinata better than Boruto, and was always happy to visit him on the weekends. She accepted Sasuke as his new partner almost right away because - quote - he has a cat, and when he’s tired enough let’s her play with his long hair. Still, he would never expect her to call him dad number two. However, this pet-name made him smile like crazy.
“Yeah, congratulations…” Boruto said reluctantly, staring into the ground, before giving Sasuke a slightly annoyed look. “But I won’t call you that.”
“That’s fine.” Uchiha chuckled softly.
“I think I could call you dad number two, if that’s fine…” Sarada said thoughtfully, glancing at him. “Mr. Naruto seems too official now, and just Naruto is too weird…”
“Sure, you can call me that!” He grinned, patting the girl on her head. It made him feel warm inside that the kids were finally getting along with both of them. When they first told them that they are a couple, Sarada freaked out a little, and avoided Naruto like the plague. Boruto was of course the most confused one.
He couldn’t understand how his father was now with a man, and on top of that, with the father of his friend. He reacted by being angry at both of them, and it took months for him to even eat something that Sasuke cooked. Now that Sasuke has Sarada for the whole seven days, every other week, and Naruto has his kids every weekend, they all managed to get used to each other.
“So, how did the trip here go?” He asked, changing the subject. “You didn’t have any problems with trains?”
The wedding was in California, so it wasn’t that far away from their hometown. They couldn’t drive here with the kids because Sasuke and he decided to stay at the west coast for the honeymoon. But Boruto was already fourteen, and Sarada twelve, so they all decided they were old enough to go by a train themselves.
“We didn’t.” Himawari said carelessly. “At the end, mom decided to drive us here with Mr. Kiba.”
“With whom?” Naruto frowned. It was the first time ever he even heard this name.
“Mom’s new boyfriend.” Boruto said blankly. “They decided to give us a lift here, and take a little trip to the seaside.”
“Oh.” Brows rose high on his forehead. He had no idea that Hinata started dating again. “So you met him already?”
“A month ago.” Himawari nodded her head enthusiastically. “He’s nice. And he has such a huuuge dog!”
“Yeah, he’s not bad…” The boy shrugged. “His motorbike is really cool.”
“Really?” Naruto chuckled with amusement. “That’s great. I’m glad she found herself a good guy.” He said, truly believing in every word.
“I think mom is dating someone too.” Sarada said, glancing at Sasuke. “I mean, she didn’t tell me anything, but she goes out in fancy dresses, and stuff like that. And sometimes she brings flowers with her when she comes back.”
Sasuke smiled at his daughter dearly, and Naruto found his hand under the table and tangled their fingers together. He felt so ridiculously happy, serotonin made him high. He was married to Sasuke, the children finally accepted their relationship, and it seemed that Sakura and Hinata started putting their lives together, and found happiness. Everything was good now.
After the wedding was finished, and everyone parted their ways, Sasuke and he went to the hotel, still holding their hands tightly.
“Uzumaki Naruto.” He said his name to the woman standing in the hotel lobby. She checked him on the list, and smiled broadly.
“Here’s the magnetic card to your bridal suite. The champagne should be waiting beside the bed.” She said, handing him the key. “And congratulations!”
“Thank you.” Both of them said, and they headed to the stairs.
“I can’t believe this is real…” He said, staring at the ring on his finger, while walking upstairs.
Sasuke only looked at him with a broad smile, his eyes flickering joyfully. They finally climbed to the right floor, and Naruto took the magnetic card out of his pocket. Yet, before opening the door, he took Sasuke by surprise, and before the man could even realize what is happening, he picked him up in a bridal style.
“What are you doing, idiot?!” The raven gasped, squirming in his hands. Naruto opened the door with Uchiha in his hands, and walked inside, never stopping laughing.
“Stop moving so much, or I’ll drop you…” He warned, heading to the bedroom. “You’re not that light, you know?”
“Put me down, Naruto.” The man pouted, looking absolutely mortified. “I’m your husband, not wife, remember?”
“Yeah, I’m pretty aware of that.” He chuckled. “At least this way, I can have you exactly where I want to…” He purred, before throwing Sasuke on the king-sized bed. It was snow-white, and covered with red rose petals. He climbed on top of Uchiha, pinning his hands above his head, and kissed him eagerly.
Yes, everything definitely was good now…