Archive of Our Own ^beta

“Naruto, how did you make a square box somehow look like a circle?” Sakura picked up the present and examined it before Naruto took it from her hands and held it close while glaring at her. “Look wrapping presents isn’t easy, it’s damn near impossible.” Sakura smiled and shook her head as he placed his present under the tree and made his way to the snack table. Ino and Sai were snacking on some fruit as Naruto waved to them, “Oh hey Naruto, I see you didn’t bring a snack to share?”

Naruto rubbed the back of his head in embarrassment, “Sorry guys, I guess I forgot it at my house.”

“Classic Naruto, he wasn’t the worst in class for nothing,” Kiba snuck up behind him, rubbing him on the head while Akamaru barked and waved his tail.

“Akamaru you are the only one I can trust to not bully me,” Naruto exclaimed as he let him jump onto him and rubbed his head vigorously, laughing as he got multiple slobbery kisses.

“Hey Akamaru what gives? You keep licking him you will get sick.” Akamaru jumped off and rolled his head as a way of rolling his eyes like his master, something that Kiba’s mom had been pissed at him for teaching him to do.

“Any way where is everyone?” Kiba asked as he kept his arm over Naruto’s shoulder using him as an armrest.

“Perhaps they decided not to show up after seeing you would be here?” Sai asked with what seemed to be a genuine response.

“You know, you really piss me off Sai.”

“Really? I thought we were the best of friends.” Sai smirked and Kiba growled looking at Ino for help.

“Sai, you promised.” She told him, sighing in exasperation as she rubbed her pregnant belly.

“Of course Ino, here let’s go sit on the couch and relax do you need some tums?”

They walked away just as Shino was walking up, “She really has him wrapped around her finger.”

“What’s up Shino? Where’s Hinata?” Kiba asked, looking behind him.

“Perhaps you should text her and find out.” Shino wasn’t amused at his friend's lack of action in approaching her but he did have to smile as Naruto pointed and laughed at him making Kiba mad.

“So loud, Kiba, Naruto why so loud?” Shikamaru approached them, Temari and her brothers along too. Ducking away from the lecture from his assistant Naruto quickly grabbed Gaara and moved away, “Sorry Shikamaru I got to talk to Garra about a business deal.”

Shikamaru predictably didn’t want to fight with his boss, especially during a party so left him alone, going over to Ino and touching her stomach while Temari and Ino talked about baby stuff.

“What did you have in mind Naruto?” Gaara asked, taking his focus away from his workers and friends and bringing it back to him.

“No Gaara, I just needed to get away, I have too many lectures.” Naruto laughed, blushing slightly and feeling bad to have inconvenienced his friend.

“Oh, well if that is all-”

‘Wait, Gaara are you, doing ok?” Naruto asked, feeling awkward at the question.

“After you broke up with me to pursue a relationship with Sasuke you mean?” Gaara asked, admittedly taking satisfaction in how uncomfortable he was looking.

“I’m still really sorry-”

“It’s fine I am doing well, I don’t mind staying friends with you though I do ask for more time of being able to be in your presence as well as Sasuke's.” Gaara quickly cut him off, as if he could ever stay mad at Naruto his first love and savior rolled into one. Seeing Naruto’s nod Gaara let out a rare smile and nodded back, relaxing into the hug that Naruto enveloped him in. Pulling away Naruto chuckled lightly and rubbed the back of his head, “So I heard Suna industries was branching into glass ornaments?”

“You know people say you are incapable of focusing but even at a party you are still about work.” Gaara kept his face blank as he teased him, his mouth twitching as Naruto’s jaw dropped and he started fumbling for an answer before settling with pouting and crossing his arms.

“Excuse me for taking an interest in our closest business partner.”

“You are excused, how is Kurama did you successfully get your permit to house him?
“Yep, I have to show you the estate it’s massive, plenty of room for a fox pup and I got it at a steal too!”

“That’s amazing Naruto, if you will excuse me we can talk later.” Moving swiftly Gaara was gone and lost in the now crowd of people standing near Neji and Lee and listening to them talk.

“Hey, idiot,” Naruto heard a deep voice greet him from behind.

“You know just because you are an asshole, doesn’t mean you should talk to mine.” Naruto turned around and smirked as he saw Sasuke who was holding a platter of Deviled eggs they had made that morning.

“But it’s so much nicer than your face you see,” Sasuke responded, looping an arm around Naruto’s waist as he balanced the platter.

“Go put those down before you drop them egg head.” Naruto huffed and turned his head, pretending to be upset over his lateness.

After being released he followed Sasuke to the table who set the platter down next to some dip.

“Hey Sasuke, still single?” TenTen teased, as she swayed against Hinata her face red.

“Hinata, please the only stuff here is wine TenTen shouldn’t she be resting?” Naruto asked with a shake of his head as he eyed his chief engineer and his speechwriter.

“Shush, I asked him a question,” TenTen slurred and Naruto had to laugh as they swung forward, TenTen drunkenly poking Sasuke’s chest as he just watched her with an eyebrow raised.

“No TenTen, I am not but I won’t tell you who,” Sasuke said carefully, looking at Naruto who was the one who had wanted to keep it secret.

“You’re so mean, I just- I just want some gossip for the girls come on.” TenTen tried again.

“Present time!” Came Sakura’s voice and Naruto breathed a sigh of relief, if everything goes well no one will ask Sasuke that question again after tonight. Excitedly they all gathered around the tree where Sakura stood with a Santa hat holding a glass of champagne.

“At the beginning of the year you all drew for people, you were instructed to keep this a secret and surprisingly you did Naruto.” Everyone laughed at Naruto who ducked his head famous for not keeping stuff secret. “So now to dish out presents!” Sakura put her glass down and began handing presents out while a photographer bounced around snapping photos of which people could pick their favorites to order and get them after New Year. Finally, as Naruto sat there with a beanie with fox ears it got to Sasuke who was handed Naruto’s round present that was covered in tape and a pair of scissors.

“Idiot, can’t even handle a simple present?

“Wrapping is impossible all you who claim to be perfect lie and get it done professionally.” Naruto crossed his arms, upset as everyone mocked his wrapping skills. Eventually, Sasuke managed to open it and the room fell silent as everyone zeroed in on what he held.

“Naruto I-” Sasuke searched for Naruto and furrowed his brows, confused.

“It’s not what you all think get your mind out of the gutter!” Naruto yelled out as everyone started exclaiming in anger at them hiding these things from them and cries asking when.

“Open it Sasuke, please.” Warily Sasuke did open the ring box and relaxed, pulling out a key.

“I formally ask you to live with me Sasuke, publicly so everyone knows you are mine and I am yours.” He prayed Temari had done what he asked and taken Garra outside for this, no point rubbing it in his face any more than already will be happening.

“You idiot, I practically already do.” Sasuke shook his head as he added the key to his key ring.

“Is that a yes then?” Everyone waited with bated breath, Sakura and Ino sharing a bowl of popcorn between them and Sasuke rolled his eyes.

“Yes, of course, come here.” Their friends cheered as Naruto ran over to him and landed on his lap, the two kissing soundly and then snuggling close, bathing in the happiness of being public and having support.

“I love you,” Sasuke whispered in his ear causing Naruto to shiver.

“I love you too asshole.”