Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

   group-ie (/ˈɡro͞opē/) noun informal: a person, especially a young woman, who regularly follows a pop music group or other celebrity in the hope of meeting or getting to know them. ⚠︎ OFTEN DEROGATORY

     "Please, (Y/N)!" Megan clasped her hands around mine. "Make yourself free this weekend! I need my concert buddy with me to see Desert Rose, it's gonna be a good show, I promise!" 

        "Alright... You know I'll never turn down a show. How much are tickets?" I agreed. I heard her talk about this band before, fangirling about how hot the guys were. Honestly, any band with cute guys is her weakness. Some of the shows she pulled me to sounded horrible though. Lots of bands were just eye candy. 

        "Tickets are $45 each. Since I'm dragging you I'll pay for half your ticket," she offered. 

        I shook my head. "It's fine. I might ask you to pay if they're shit though." 

        She nodded. "Well, I think you will really like this band. Trust. They're not really an authentic rock or punk rock band like what you like, but it's catchy. And this time they're performing in their hometown, a.k.a. our hometown!" Megan leaned back on her chair throwing her legs up on the table. We had about 15 minutes until our next lecture.

        "Isn't it crazy how they were from here? We could have gone to the same high school with them. If only I knew how to sing or play an instrument, I could be famous too," she wondered. 

        I shrugged. I had a dream about forming a band and being famous as well. But that all came to a stop. Especially now that I'm rusty at the guitar, it's picking up dust.

        We chatted a bit more, as she explained which members were her favorite. Honestly, it was hard for me to pick up the members names. Well, stage names. Raven, Mirage, Howl, Fox, and SK... Corny as hell. Until our break was over, she kept raving about Howl and Fox. 

        "Okay! Can you please drive this time? I plan on drinking and, you know?" she asked me, motioning a finger under her nose, a signal for blow.

        "Sure, I'll pick you up at 7:00 sharp," I agreed, getting my backpack to head to the building next over.

        She grinned, before going the opposite way from me. "Can't wait for you to finally be a fangirl. This band is the one, I swear by it."

        I chuckled, and sarcastically responded, "Yeah, yeah. My heart's ready to be captured."

        I started getting ready for the concert. Looking through my closet, I try to come up with an outfit that would match this band. I'm not trying to impress anybody, but it's fun to dress up with Megan and take a couple of pictures with her. The only way to describe my aesthetic was punk and alternative. I loved J-fashion, especially visual kei outfits. They always had amazing style. 

        I decided on a grey off-the-shoulder top that had a white tribal print in the front, with a pleated brown leather skirt that adorned a buckle. Then I accessorized with grey thigh highs, a skull belt, and various silver jewelry I own. 

        I did my hair and makeup quickly, put on my platform boots, and headed out the door. 

        Driving to Megan's house, I took my time to play some of Desert Rose's songs. I understood what she meant by not authentic. It sounded mostly like radio pop-punk music. However, they have their unique twist, that gives off a garage rock vibe. Some of their songs had a dreamy, shoegaze sound that I liked. It fit the lead's voice.

        I parked and texted Megan that I arrived. She comes out of her house in a revealing gyaru-style outfit. She wore a heartline leopard print top with pink frills and a pair of very short and low-waisted light blue denim shorts. She had pastel pink highlights that blended in with her strawberry-blonde hair.  

        "Oh my god, that's a cute outfit!" She exclaimed as she hopped in the passenger seat. She pulled out a bottle of vodka out of her purse.

        "Woah, don't start drinking now, I don't wanna get pulled over again." 

        "Oops, lemme just take a shot now," she said, sticking her tongue out at me before she opened the cap and took a swig. "I would drink there but I'm not trying to spend on drinks, ugh, bars are getting expensive."

        I rolled my eyes and headed to the venue. It was not that big of a venue, as it used to be an orchestra auditorium, but the city decided to turn it into a performance center, removing the seats and adding two bars on the sides.  For a band this popular, I guess performing here is for a special performance for their hometown fans.

        We parked and took a couple of shots before the show, walked in, scanned our tickets, and got one more round of drinks as we were a little bit early. 

        After, Megan dragged me by the arm through the early crowds to get to the front rails. Of course, I should have known knowing her. For Megan, the front is her highest chance of grabbing their attention. I didn't mind because I love it when the music is loud and blaring in front of me.

        I was starting to feel a nice buzz, then heard a voice from the speakers, "Are you guys ready?!"

        The audience of mostly women screamed, yelling various names of the members. 

        The curtains opened, revealing the 5 band members. The blond lead who was in a see-through fishnet shirt yelled again, "I can't hear you!"

        The audience cheered again, and I cheered along with Megan. She was screaming Fox's name loudly, which I can only guess is the blond now. 

        Fox grinned and strummed his guitar. "Let's get this fucking show started!" 

        As they performed, I danced with Megan, as their first song was their most popular pop-punk song. We're close friends, and she doesn't mind being touchy with me. Two girls dancing on each other, besties for life, am I right?

        "Didn't I tell ya they're cute as fuck? God, they look better in person," she fawned.

        "Yeah, they're alright-looking." 

        "Alright-looking? Take a good look at them."

        I turned my attention away from Megan and onto the stage. The lead, who played the guitar and was the vocals, was a blond with blue eyes, and whiskers on his cheeks giving him a fox-like appearance. He had a pair of goggles on his forehead, a black choker on his neck, and black gauges on his ears. 

        Then there was the drummer, who had brown hair, and red face paint on his cheeks. He had a jacket with fur trimming, zipped down very low to reveal his exposed skin. He winked at the crowd often. 

        There was the bass player, who had crimson red hair, sea green eyes that had heavy black eyeliner surrounding it, as well as a face tattoo of a kanji. If I looked closer, I could make out two lip rings. He had a stoic expression and a tough aura around him.

        The keyboardist wore all black and had his hair up in a ponytail. Although he was in the back, I spotted an eyebrow piercing on his face. The way he played looked almost lazy, yet I knew it was just his style. He was talented.

        Last but not least, the main guitarist. He had black spiky hair, with onyx eyes. Multiple ear piercings, and a sleeve tattoo on his left arm. He wore a dark purple unbuttoned shirt with a black tee underneath, as well as a necklace with a pendant that resembled a fan. I couldn't help but agree with Megan when I noticed him. He was very attractive, like, seriously hot. There was this mysterious, alluring aura to him.

        Then his guitar solo started. The way his fingers danced across the fretboard of his guitar, the way his arm strummed the strings with certainty and the way his eyebrows furrowed in focus were, admittedly, very attractive. 

        "Woo! Raven, notice me!" A girl screamed. Ha, that's 'Raven?' I can't lie, he's very talented, and I can't help making an impressed face as he finishes his riff. 

        I cheered loudly in support, clapping after his solo was done. Then he stepped back letting 'Fox' into the front again. 

        "Raven's fine as hell, right? To be honest, he's too fine for me, not my type," Megan said.

        "I gotta agree with you, they are cute," I admitted, turning away from her to check out 'Raven' again. 

        However, his midnight eyes met mine. Am I imagining this? I thought quickly, before adverting my gaze. Um, think quick, let's just vibe.

        I go back to dancing with Megan for a bit, distracting myself from the thought that the guitarist looked right at me. There's no way, he probably made eye contact with the girl behind me. After dancing with her for a little bit, I looked up again to check.

        And there again, his eyes locked in with mine, as he strummed his guitar. This time I didn't look away, now that I knew it wasn't by chance. I smiled to show I was enjoying the show. He smirked flirtatiously and stuck out his tongue tantalizingly, keeping eye contact, before turning back his attention to his band and the audience. 

        Oh fuck, he's hot.

Chapter Text

        "(Y/N), they're doing a meet and greet, let's goooo!" Megan pleaded. But I wasn't interested in lining up that long.

        "You go ahead, I'm gonna take a smoke real quick, I'll be outside." I went off to find the exit, as she hurriedly lined up. I mean, part of me wanted to see that guitarist up close, but it was just because I had a little admiration for him. There's no way I will dream about ending up with a guy who's in a band. 

        I found an exit and left, which lead me to an alleyway instead of the entrance of the venue. Perfect for a smoke break. I pulled out a cigarette from my pack and placed it between my lips.

        "Where the fuck is it..." I muttered under my breath, getting frustrated as I rummaged my bag for a lighter.

        Then right in front of me, a small flame was lit for my cigarette. I looked up to see the light illuminating the keyboardist's face in front of me.

        "Don't have to thank me, I got it," he said. I took a puff before replying. 

        "Didn't know you were the sweet one of the group."

        He smiled coyly as he shrugged. "Obviously, you would be wrong," he said sarcastically.

        "Are you not part of the meet-and-greet?" I asked, wondering why he was out here by himself.

        "More of Naruto and Kiba's thing, luckily for me I'm the least known one because I'm in the back, not really great at fanservice. The keyboard is pretty hard to thirst trap, you know?" he answered.

        "Aw, you think they get more attention then you? Aren't you jealous?" I teased. He rolled his eyes.

        "Nah, it's perfect that way for me. I'm way too lazy to deal with obsessive girls and terrible at keeping a persona up. I only joined this band because I love music." He paused, pulling out a cigarette himself and lighting it. "I compose most of our songs."

        I smiled, "I admire that. I really loved the song 'Echoes of the Sage'. You wrote that one, right?" 

        He smiled back, this time genuinely, "Indeed I did, that one is one of my favorites I composed. It actually has meaning unlike some of the songs the agency has made me do."

        We talked some more about music, making small talk. He's a pretty chill guy, and we came to a mutual understanding of the rock genre.

        "Well, I guess in some way I'm doing a meet-and-greet," he joked. "Never caught your name?"

        "It's (Y/N), nice to meet you," I greeted. "What's yours?"

        "Wow, you attend our concert with no research?" he chuckled before replying, "Name's Shikamaru."

        I heard footsteps approaching us and I turned to look at who it was. 

        The drummer of the band slung his arm around Shikamaru casually, before asking, "Who's this babe you're talking to?"

        Shikamaru sighed, "Kiba, meet (Y/N), (Y/N) meet Kiba."

        I waved to Kiba, as he observed my face and body. "Uh, hi?"

        He hummed for a second, with a lot of "mhm.. mhm.." before saying something. "You fuck with us, right?"

        Confused, I replied, "I mean, yeah your music is pretty good, I guess?"

        He gave me a mischievous toothy grin, "Well, you wanna join us backstage? We're having a little celebration and you seem like fun."

        "Dude, don't be a creep like that, you just met her," Shikamaru groaned. "Your choice, (Y/N), if you wanna deal with his annoying ass."

        "Don't worry, I don't bite. Sometimes," He smirked.

        I laughed worriedly deciding that it was time to meet up with Megan. I had no clue how I got here and I honestly don't really wanna go. 

        "Ah... I probably can't, gonna meet back up with my homegirl," I replied, stepping back from the two. Before I could retreat any further, I felt someone embraced my arm.

        "We'll go!" Megan exclaimed, with the happiest grin on her face. Fuck.

        Kiba checked her out up and down, before nodding, "She's fine by me too, c'mon Shika."

        Shikamaru and I sighed loudly before following the two to wherever he was leading us. 

Chapter Text

        We walked back in from the back entrance coming into a warm-lit space behind the stage. A speaker was playing some music as the guys relaxed after their show. There were a few floor couches around with some short tables, and equipment sprawled around the floor. There was also a casing of some sort, that acted like a platform for a bunch of liquor. Their instruments were brought backstage as well, and the staff seemed to be checking them. There were a couple of other girls, as well talking to Fox and, um... the bass player?

        "Welcome to the backstage, ladies," Kiba announced, leaning into one of the couches with his arms sprawled out.

        I looked to Megan, who looked at me with exhilaration in her eyes. In a second, I saw her lock-in, putting her 'A game' on, and sat right next to Kiba into his arm. 

        "I've never been backstage before, it's so cool!~" she effused. Kiba was clearly enjoying this.

        Shikamaru leaves me to go check in with the staff on stuff. Now, do I sit here and listen to Megan flirt, or get a drink? Would it be rude of me to just pour myself a glass? I mean, they invited us backstage for a reason right? 

        Screw it, I thought, walking over to pour myself a glass of bourbon, and situated myself on an empty couch. I guess I'll take a quick selfie since this doesn't happen often. I pulled out my phone to take a short selfie video, before noticing 'Raven' in the background. Lucky me that he gets to be in the video. 

        I sipped occasionally, scrolling through Instagram to watch other people's stories on the concert, before I started eavesdropping on 'Fox' and the bass player's conversation with the other girls.

        "You know, Gaara, I've been to every one of your guys' shows. I'm a super devoted fan!~" She proclaimed. "Honestly, you're my favorite. I really wanna see you more..."

        He raised an eyebrow, before replying with an amused tone, "Oh yeah? What are you suggesting?"

        "Maybe after this, we can have a little two-man with us and Naruto and my friend?~" She boldly tempted. "We'll prove to you we'll be worth it."

        I shut out that conversation there. I was not interested in their response at all. But can't blame them. The number of bands that are forming lately meant the more girls who dream of being a groupie. Even Megan is trying. If it had no reputation to its name, I wouldn't mind it either. 

        But having sex just because of a person's fame doesn't cut it for me. I had my fair share of hookups with regular people, but it didn't feel right with a connection. It only satisfied my young adult hormones, and it got lame real quick. 

        When I got bored of Instagram, I went back to people watching. I did have a small dream about being in a band, and watching how the staff closed up the stage was very interesting to me. I watched Megan and Kiba actually somewhat hitting it off, feeling proud of her. Then Fox, or Naruto, approached them, introducing himself. Seeing Megan being so excited made me happy. 

        She gestured to me and Naruto followed her motion at me and smiled. I smiled back until the three of them approached me to join me on the couch I claimed. I scooted over to the end for them.

        "Hiya (Y/N), Megan introduced me to you. Heard this was your first show from us," Naruto beamed. "You a fan yet?"

        He's got a big, happy grin, emitting a bright aura around him. Even though in that edgy outfit, he seemed like a golden retriever. Great leadership characteristic.

        "You guys killed it, and I'm a pretty picky person," I approved. 

        He thanked me and then beckoned his other bandmates to come over. "You haven't talked to the rest right, I'll introduce you."

        I looked over to see if 'Raven' was going to walk over here. We made eye contact again, and he sauntered to the group. 

        "Here's Mirage!" Naruto pointed to the bass player.

        "You can call me Gaara," he said simply. 

        "You met SK already but say hi again!" Naruto pointed to Shikamaru. He waved back, again with a lazy swagger to him. What a nonchalant guy.

        Then finally Naruto pointed to the ink-haired guitarist, "And that's Raven, my duo."

        "It's Sasuke," he greeted me, with a slight hint of arrogance. He had this permanent smug look on his face. Yeah, I understood Megan when she said 'he's too fine.' Men that know they are fine are the worst. 

        I smiled demurely, before introducing myself as well. "If Megan didn't tell you guys, my name is (Y/N). Nice to meet you all." 

        After introductions, the conversation went from small talk back to Megan flirting with both Naruto and Kiba, with Shikamaru butting in at times with a clever retort, and Gaara just being a good ear. 

        I went back to drinking, getting kinda bored and feeling a bit cramped. Until I felt another presence sitting on the arm of the couch.

        "(Y/N), it was?" Sasuke asked. I looked up at him to see he's leaning on the couch with his elbow propped and a hand on his head. There wasn't much room between us and he was also leaning forward to my face. 

        "Mhm.. what?" 

        "Not interested or something?" 

        I pondered what his question meant for a moment. "No, it's cool being back here. A different perspective from the stage."

        "I meant interested in one of us," He inquired. Oh. Can he tell? Does he remember making eye contact with me? 

        In my brief moment before I responded, I thought about whether or not to loosen up. I look at Megan who's putting her best foot forward on flirting. Maybe I still got it in me. Fuck it, the liquor is kicking in, I'll have a bit of fun too.

        "Is it fine if I said you?" I hinted cheekily, growing a bit warm in my face. Might just be the alcohol.

        He raised an eyebrow in amusement, and again with a smirk. "I don't mind, you got an eye for quality."

        "Oh, aren't you confident?" 

        "I meant quality music, I can tell by your vibe you know what good music sounds like," he teased.

        "Yeah, of course I do. That's why your solo was my favorite part of the show," I praised, inflating his ego even bigger. I know what he wants to hear.

        "Trying to get on my good side?" 

        "A little bit, is it working?" I gave a sheepish smile, acting playful.

        "Don't know, flattery doesn't really work for me."

        I leaned my head closer to him before replying, "Why? You're only impressed at yourself and nobody else? Or maybe.." I put two of my fingers on his knee, slowly walking them up his leg, "You don't let anyone get close enough to notice them?"

        He paused, a little taken aback by my analysis. "Are you trying to rile me up right now?"

        This time I smirked, feeling like I had an upper hand. "I think I already got your attention the moment the curtains opened."

        His lips curled up into another amused smile, but before he could reply, Kiba tapped on my leg to get your attention.

        "I asked Megan if you guys wanted to come to our next show free of charge and in the VIP section. It's in Sunagakure, an hour by train from here, whaddaya say?" He asked. Megan gave me that look that screamed 'Please say yes, please say yes' and unfortunately I fell for it every time. 

        "Sure, I don't mind." 

        Kiba whistled. "We'll make it worth your while. VIP includes free drinks and bottle service, which I know you'll enjoy."

        I hummed in response as I turned back to talk to Sasuke, only to see that he was gone. Was I too much?

        Soon after the band had to leave the venue and get back to their hotel since the venue was about to close. Megan and Kiba exchanged numbers, which she squealed about in the car while I drove us home. 

        "Holy shit, (Y/N), I'm so close to getting in as a groupie with the hottest band yet! Did you see the way Kiba was looking at me, ah! I can't, oh my god, he's so fucking hot," she swooned. All I can do is be excited for her. 

        "Oh, I saw you talk to Sasuke, is he your favorite or something?" she asked. "Oh my god... or does he like YOU? If you score the Sasuke of the band, the cool type, props to you."

        "Nah, he's okay. Very arrogant and cocky. I just got bored while you were talking." 

        She squinted at me. "Hm.. if you say so.. I think you guys would look cute together."

        I let out an amused sigh, "Huh, whatever you say."

Chapter Text

        "I'm getting even closer to getting us in as groupies. I even video-called him once, damn near pushing my tits out," Megan exaggerated while on call. Wait a minute.

        "Us?" I pointed out. "I thought it was just you?"

        "No, they want us both, remember? You caught some of their eyes too."

        "I don't know about this, I'm not interested in being their girl, you know that!" 

        "Please, (Y/N), I can't go alone! Just come to be by my side, they can't force you to do anything, you can just talk to them normally, I just need you with me, please!!!!" She begged. I chuckled nervously, holding my phone up to my ear with my shoulder as I folded my laundry. 

        "I'll think about it, I guess..." 

        "Yay! Think hard about it, preferably think about me! Let me know at their next concert, I'll meet you there. It's in 4 days at Sunagakure. I'm gonna go chat up Kiba now, toodles!" Then the call ended.

        I sighed, finished my laundry from the night before, and got changed for college. I put on some lazy clothes, made a cup of coffee and toast, and made my way to the subway. Even though I have a car, I take the subway since my school is 30 minutes by car and about 20 minutes by subway. I also hated dealing with traffic and needed those extra steps to be fit. 

        As I made my way to the station, I put on my headphones and shuffled my music, playing back what had happened this weekend.

        Being backstage for a band, my conversation with Sasuke, and now being invited for a free show? 

        I'm tired from everything last weekend, I thought, getting in the subway and finding a seat. I was alone with my thoughts for the ride.

        I only got into rock and punk music because of my father. Thinking back, we haven't talked much since I left for college. And that wasn't going so well. I haven't done much of anything, besides being a troubled daughter.

        Thinking about my past, I don't remember much about my parents' divorce. My mom left us, far enough for it to be inconvenient to visit her. I think I was around 5. I grew up with mostly my dad, who was a rock enthusiast, and played the guitar himself. He was a rough guy, looked the part, had a scruffy beard, tattoos, rode a Harley, and I thought he was so cool. But the more I grew up, the more he was distant. Then when I got into high school, we started fighting. I found out he fell back into his bad habits. Started coming home drunk, nose red, eyes dilated. I never knew about it but I guess there's another side to the high life. It's in the culture. 

        On a drunken night, when I tried to get him on the couch at least, he told me, "God, you look just like your mom, it makes me fucking sick."

        After that, I notified a rehabilitation center for him and moved out, thinking I could grow up without him and strive.

        But soon enough, I was stressed out with rent and bills, struggling to work and do school at the same time. At my last job, I worked as a server for a decent high-end restaurant. After preaching that I'll never be like my dad, I felt tempted by my coworkers to do drugs. It became a habit. There's always a dark side to every industry. Doing coke with the back of the house was getting normal, then I got invited to these 'meetings' that were just parties and tried ecstasy multiple times. I drank to my heart's (or liver's) content. My comedowns made me depressed and I did more to not feel it. I soon fell apart with school and failed most of my classes. The fast money from serving went to buying substances, and I was barely keeping up with rent.

        Then I met Nathan. He was a classmate of mine. I thought he was sweet, and he took a liking to me for some reason. I was the opposite of him. He was a straight-A student, rich, and had a nerdy personality. We started dating, and when I opened up to him about my issues, he promised to be by my side while we worked through it. I tried very hard to quit the habits that formed. I quit my job to get away from that life and applied for an assistant position at the Uchiha Investment Company, managed to earn B's and C pluses in my courses. 

        But when it was time for me to meet his parents, they disapproved. I thought that he would be able to believe in me a bit more. We fought and I told him it was hard for me to be like him since I had nobody to help me, while he had his parents to rely on. He said he understood, and I believed him. But just about four months ago, he broke up with me out of the blue, saying we weren't meant for each other.

        Since then, life's been boring besides going to concerts with Megan. I stopped taking as many courses, only enough to keep my financial aid. I have classes one day a week on a Monday, while I work the rest of the days. It's part-time, but I clock in as much as I can just because I need the money. Since I'm hired as the lowest position there, they allow me to be flexible with my schedule, as there are a lot of other assistants who can cover for me. All we do is run coffee errands and file for our department. I never met the CEO or upper management. 

        And ever since the falling out with my father, I stopped being interested in forming a band and playing the guitar. I mean, I wanted to pick up something else that wasn't for him but couldn't really find it in me. I still can't stray away from the music though. All that matters is that I stayed clean since the breakup.

        The subway halted, announcing its stop. I got off and made my way to campus, only to spot Megan near the bus stop. 

        "Hey (Y/N)! Ugh, I so do not wanna go to class right now," she complained. "I still feel the adrenaline from meeting the members."

        We walked to our only class together and sat down. I hear some other female students talk about the band as well.

        "Girl, I swear Mirage was looking at you! He's such a bad boy type!" a girl exclaimed to her friend.

        "Ugh, there's no way! He's my favorite but it's so unlike him he's too cool to do that. I just like how he has this rebel delinquent vibe to him."

        Megan turned and whispered to me, "Wow, everyone's talking about Desert Rose, but they have no clue we got backstage!"

        "Aren't we lucky..."

        "Yeah! So far, it's coming along with Kiba, I think he's digging me. Progress is good." She flashed me a thumbs-up. 

        Tired from having to wake up early to finish my laundry, I laid my head on my desk, giving Megan half-assed murmurs.

        "Oh, did you grab Sasuke's number?"

        I shot my head up. "No, why?"

        Megan slyly smiled, "I dunno... You guys seem like a match."

        I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion and annoyance. I won't lie, he's cute, but too cocky for me. "I told you, I don't like musicians. They just pick girls out of their fans that they wanna fuck and I'm not interested in that. There are many others that they can pick in the crowd."

        Megan dreamily zones out as a joke, "Like me. I wouldn't mind. It's fun and I get to sleep with a hot famous guy. Maybe I'll get opportunities myself to be known."

        I smiled at her. She's always honest, and I respect her for that. Her body, her choice. I tried to be promiscuous as her since it seemed freeing and fun, youthful I guess, but it wasn't my thing. Too awkward.

        "You know that MJ song, 'Dirty Diana'? That's what I think this feels like," she continued. 

        "Mhmm.." I muttered before the professor started class.

        After zoning out every lesson, I head home after attending the rest of my classes. 

        The moment I opened my bedroom door, I jumped in bed groaning from a long day of school, before getting on my phone and checking Twitter.

        I scrolled through my feed, seeing Megan repost Desert Rose's poster of their next show at Sunagakure. It had the members posing in a line, with black roses framed around them, which was a little cringe...

        I saw that each member was tagged and decided to go through their profiles. 

        Naruto had a lot of daily vlogs and selfies, some non-obvious thirst traps like he's oblivious to how attractive he is while being shirtless. A very normal Twitter. There were a lot of photos of him and the band as well.

        Kiba's profile was just full of himself. He also replied the most to his comments and fans. Lots of fanservice.

        Gaara barely tweets, occasionally posting a video of his bass covers. He did repost the official page's promos, like the one coming up in a couple of days, stating he's excited to be home. I guess he's from Sunagakure?

        Shikamaru posts random things. The clouds often, sometimes a shot of his studio, and what he's working on. Sneak peeks. Not much of himself. 

        I then clicked on Sasuke's profile, expecting nothing out of him, and I was only half wrong.

        In recent months, he barely posted or tweeted. Maybe a rare guitar cover that was a 20-second clip, but nothing else. I then scrolled down further, about a year and a half ago, to see a couple of selfies. They all had that same cockiness he still has, like not really fanservice pictures, but... c'mon it's still something. He even replied to fans often. 

        I wonder what changed. Maybe he thought he didn't have to try anymore now that they made a name for themselves.

        I scrolled to a picture he posted that someone took of him off guard with a caption that said "Idiot took this". He was wearing a white tee under a black jacket. It was a candid picture, he didn't have that smirk and facade he built up. He was looking away from the camera, with a peaceful expression. His onyx eyes had a glint to them, like a real stone would have. 

        "He's... cute like this," I said out loud, trying to sound normal. I find many guys attractive, he's just another attractive guy... Right? Then why can't I stop looking at this one picture of him?

        My gaze went down to his lips which were slightly parted and curled into a small gentle smile. They looked soft and kinda kis...

        "Nope, no, noo, let's not think about it anymore!" I spluttered, blushing profusely.

Chapter Text

        Finally, it was the day of the concert. I haven't decided whether or not I wanted to join Megan on her adventures if it happened. But I wasn't going to miss a free show with VIP access. 

        I got ready early since the train to Sunagakure was about an hour-long ride. Megan and I decided to meet at the concert and leave together, as it would make more sense that way. We would then walk and she would crash at my place since I was closer to the station.

        I put on a studded black bustier top, with a cropped faux fur jacket over, along with a black denim miniskirt. To cover up my legs more, I slipped on some ripped tights, then put on brown shrug boots. Accessorized with some gold jewelry that matched the studs and brought my black purse that had a studded cross on the surface.

        God, I love fashion. 

        I head my way to the show, hopping on the train and taking a quick nap before reaching my destination. As I approached the venue, I realized it was a lot bigger than the one they performed at last time. Sunagakure was a very popular city for popstars. It was the nightlife in the desert. 

        Megan was already there waiting, arguing with the security. "I swear, I know the band, they want us in there!" 

        "Don't think you're the only one trying to scam your way in, it's not gonna work with m-, oh, hello?" he pressed down on his earpiece trying to listen closer. "Oh, I'm sorry, what was that?"

        A couple of seconds passed as we waited patiently for him to be done.

        "Soooo, are you going to let us in?" Megan started.

        "What were your names?" he asked.

        "Megan and (Y/N)."

        "Alright, follow me to your section."

        He guided us to the VIP which was to the side in front of the railings. As of now, they haven't opened the doors yet, so we were the only ones here. From this angle, we would be extremely close to the guys, to the point where they could bend down from the stage and be able to hear us. It had nice red, velvet seating and a low, marbled table where as general admission were forced to stand in the pit. On a table was a bucket of ice with chilled shot cups, lime, and two very expensive bottles of a rare brand of Hennessy. I swear I saw these retail for $500 each.

        "Ladies, if you want to request anything else we have our cocktail server here." The security gestured to the friendly gentleman standing by the side of the stage.

        My jaw dropped at the special treatment we were receiving. Megan was grinning so widely I thought her cheeks were going to tear. We sat down quickly and poured shots while she requested salt and an Amaretto Sour.

        As we were taking a love shot where we hook our arms together while taking a shot, I spotted Kiba behind the curtain, which was right next to us.

        "You guys sure are close," he began. "Love the sight of two pretty girls letting loose though."

        "Kiba!~" Megan cooed. "Thank you so much for all this! I'm so excited to see you on stage again!"

        As they get even more comfortable with each other, even though I have no clue how that's possible, I pour our next shot. Man, I might be an alcoholic... In my peripheral vision, I saw a streak of black hair behind Kiba and turned to see Sasuke half-lidded eyes to be staring at me. He sat down next to me. 

        He slowly smirked, before picking up a cut of lime and my shot glass I just poured. He lined his lips to my lipstick imprint before taking the shot calmly, and biting the lime, with no reaction. 

        I gasped, putting an exaggerated hand on my chest, pretending I was offended, "Just gonna steal my shot like that?"

        He swung his arm over to lay it on the backrest of the couch, crossing his legs, "Had to taste my gift to you, the Henny was out of my pocket, you know." 

        I was surprised to hear that, as I wouldn't expect it from him. Maybe Naruto would have as a courtesy as the leader, or Kiba to flaunt, but Sasuke? 

        "Trying to impress me?" I teased, closing in on our distance, whilst looking up at him through my lashes.

        His gaze started from my eyes then lower to my lips, then lower to my... 

        "Did it work?" he replied, reminding me of our first official conversation.

        "Maybe, just a little," I began, "you'll have to do more than that to win me over though."

        "Easy."

        "Oh? You think so? I'm not as easy as you think," I pouted lightheartedly. "What kinda girl do you think I am?"

        He chuckled, "Then be as challenging as you want, I like a good challenge."

        I tilted my head slightly at his reply with a puzzled smile, curious as to why he was interested in me. "If you're trying so hard to win me over, does that mean you like me already?"

        "I don't have to 'like' you to have my reasons, nor do I have to try, but..." He paused, thinking about his next words before saying, "You are the most interesting woman I have met in a while."

        I stared at him trying to hide my amusement, not sure whether or not I should feel offended that I was only entertainment to him. But I couldn't be a hypocrite since I also am flirting without any desire, any feelings for him. I have no want to be in a relationship with him due to the fact he was a stereotypical rock musician, and I know just how toxic they can be. The thought of how similar we are made me want to laugh.  Two can play that game.

        "Pour us a shot, won't you?" I asked and he complied reaching to pour us both a shot. As he passed me my glass, I made sure to graze my fingertips with his. "You know what a love shot is, right?"

        "Didn't know you were into cheesy things like that."

        "Guess you gotta get to know me better," I said as I interlinked my arm with his. "This is a baby step to winning a girl like me like you wanted."

        With our arms locked together, I could only notice how much bigger his arm was compared to mine, how from this angle I could see a bit of his chest from his buttoned-down shirt, how close his face was to mine to where I could feel his warm breath fanning across my lips, with a slight scent of the liquor from the previous shot he took earlier. I pushed everything aside from my mind, to look him in the eyes before making a toast.

        "Cheers, to whoever falls in love or folds in lust first in this challenge we declared," I innocently smiled as I let him know that he was not the only one playing games. 

        He raised his eyebrows in slight surprise at my toast, keeping eye contact as we downed our shot. I unlinked my arm from him, but none of us changed the distance between us. 

        "Are you sure you wanna make this a game?" He coyly inquired. "I don't think you can handle it."

        "I have a lot more experience than you think, enough where I could teach you some things." I purred.

        He smirked the hardest I've seen him yet. "Can't wait to see it, coach."

        The concert was similar to the previous one, with only a minor difference. We had Kiba who was closest to us from the VIP section often turning towards our direction to give us attention, or rather give Megan attention.

        After the concert, while we were getting to leave with the audience, one of the staff approached us asking if we had somewhere to be tonight. Before I could reply, Megan immediately butts in, "Of course not! What's up?"

        The staff asked us to follow him, weaving through the backstage and finding his way to an exit door. I looked at Megan with uncertainty, feeling a little bit paranoid, but she just turned back at me with a look that said, 'Don't worry, we'll be fine." I don't know whether to relax or not with how confident she's feeling.

        When we exited outside, a man was holding the door of a black Rolls-Royce for us to enter. Megan climbed in the backseat enthusiastically and I followed behind worried about getting kidnapped. He closed the car door and climbed into the driver's seat, started the ignition, and took off in the opposite direction of the train station. 

        "Where are we heading?" I asked nervously to the driver.

        "Do not fret, the band will be there," He replied simply.

        Megan took my hand, before exclaiming, "Isn't this exciting?! Side quest!"

        I let out a sigh and decided to just look out the window, with her following along. 

        "Wow... Sunagakure turned into a night city, the last time I visited it was when I was a kid," Megan reminisced, staring in awe at the tall and colorful hotels and casinos. 

        "They call it the city that never sleeps for a reason," I returned. Truth be told, my memories of Sunagakure were filled with hotel benders with my old coworkers and whoever was there. A lot of it was a blur, so I'm not even sure to count those as memories, but other than gambling, clubbing, and partying, there wasn't much to do around Suna. It's a tourist trap city.

        I was knocked out of my trance when the car slowed in front of an opulent and luxurious hotel casino. The driver opened our doors and offered a gentleman's hand to help us step out of the car. As we entered the casino, we were greeted with a grand lobby with high ceilings adorned with gorgeous chandeliers, and marbled floors with exotic ornamental plants that filled the air with a gentle natural fragrance. The driver guided us to the elevators, skipping through the well-lit slot machines with colorful displays and rich red-felt gaming tables filled with high-stakes. Even the elevators were grand, with gold accents and spotless mirrors surrounding the inside of it. 

        Megan touched up her makeup in the elevator, passing me her lipgloss so I could touch up as well. She tidied herself up for whatever was to come. Our guide pressed the button to the highest floor, which needed a keycard to access. 

        The elevator doors opened and revealed a door to a penthouse suite in front of us. Megan looked at me excitedly nervous as the guide motioned me to open the door. I slowly reached for the handle, feeling the cold metal, before twisting the handle and pushing the door forward. 

        We were welcomed with energizing music mixed by a live DJ that distracted me from viewing the inside of the penthouse. But the moment I focused my eyes, the dark room resembled a club setting, with vibrant strobe lights, a dancefloor, plush sofas with low tables, with the only difference being how lavish this suite was compared to a dirty nightclub. There were more guests here, mostly dressed impeccably in cocktail dresses or casual business formal, mingling with champagne flutes in their hands or dancing on the dancefloor. There was an eye-catching bar set in front of a backdrop shelving lined with expensive liquor and spirits. Behind the bar was floor-to-ceiling windows that stretched across the entire room offering a breathtaking view of Sunagakure's city skyline. In the night, the city looked like a sea of stars in the desert.

        "The boys are waiting for you, you will find them in here," He said as he closed the door behind us and left. I was still frozen in awe, while Megan pulled my arm to search for the guys. 

        "Wrong way, ladies,~" Kiba's familiar voice called out behind us. She smiled and ran up to him as I followed behind to a plush sofa where Naruto and Shikamaru were seated.

        "Hey, girls!" Naruto greeted, while Shikamaru nodded at us. Kiba and Megan immediately coddled up on the couch as I waved back to Naruto. "How did you enjoy our show?'

        "It was amazing! Thanks for all the freebies, I enjoyed those," I smiled at him, feeling slightly bad for all the special attention I was receiving compared to other superfans who would kill to be in my spot. Gotta thank Megan for that.

        Shikamaru waved his hand, "Don't worry about it, that's a normal day for us anyways."

        Okay, flexing on us...

        We made some more small talk between the five of us between all the noise from the music and guests. Naruto ordered Shikamaru to grab us some drinks from the bar and he reluctantly goes while sighing. Then Naruto turned to us with a slight seriousness.

        "So Kiba was the one who suggested it, but..." He started, "You guys wanna join us?"

        Huh? 

        "We need some girls to help us out, you know? Be our supporters and look good for us. Everything will be paid for of course, hotels, transportation, and whatever else you need." He continued on. "You'll ride with us, party with us, having just us guys is getting boring."

        There's no way this is happening. Is he asking us to be their groupies? 

        Before I could even process it, Megan shot up, "We're totally down!" 

        I was in shock, mouth agape from her words. Shikamaru comes back with two cocktails as he noticed my stunned face, "Well, (Y/N), what is it?"

        "I'm not sure, I need to work to pay off all my bills and rent, and..." I thought about school, but it wasn't even important in my life as of now so, I can't use that as an excuse. "And I'll be broke if we'll be with you as you're touring."

        Kiba jumped in, "We'll pay you $10,000 for the inconvenience!"

        My mouth dropped further than it could ever, while Naruto sheepishly rubbed his hair and Shikamaru smirked. With $10,000, I'll be set for rent, bills for almost five months, and full-time student tuition for a semester without picking up shifts so I could focus. But...

        I looked at the guys and thought about the other two that were missing, spending nearly a month with this group... Are they expecting anything from me? I know Megan will be fun for them but me? 

        Why am I overthinking this, it's $10,000! I don't have to do anything and it won't be my fault. 

        I sighed halfheartedly, "Then it's a deal. I'm down."

        Naruto grinned, raising his glass, "Welcome to the team! Our staff will give you more information through email in the morning, but for now, enjoy the night!"

Chapter Text

SASUKE

        "Another rum and coke, please," I asked the bartender. He poured me a glass as I rested my elbows on the counter. 

        This life was getting redundant. I remember when the band first formed, I was passionate, easily pulled into this fast, high life. The 'culture' was fun, partying like there was no tomorrow, fucking up my body and brain up to run away from the family. 

        I clearly remember my father's face when I strongly declined to take over the Uchiha business and told him I was gonna be a 'rockstar'. He grimaced in disgust and told me that I better never tell anyone that I'm an Uchiha to not disgrace the face of the family. So I upheld that promise. I'm only known as Sasuke 'Raven' on social media. 

        It could have been my brother taking over if he hadn't become an ophthalmologist. But because father believed that being a doctor was better than some delinquent punk, he expected me to change my mind. I don't know why he expected me to change my mind, especially when I grew up with him comparing me to Itachi already. 

        But I'm back to drinking for another reason. Recently, I got a call from my mother that our father is getting sicker, weaker. I don't know if I care about him, but could I keep up with the band for another thirty years? 

        I kept up with it anyways. Money's good so far and I played my part. I'd be lying if I said I didn't enjoy this life in the beginning. I drank until my heart's, or really my liver's, content. Never turned down bumps or lines either. My brain is probably fried from all the drugs I've taken, I'm surprised I can still play. 

        And especially, the attention I got from women wasn't turned down either. I slept with fans until they went crazy and stalkerish, until where I had to be a dick to them to stop. I guess it was a way to cure some loneliness I acquired after getting disowned by my family. 

        I haven't exactly quit though. No one's really caught my eye enough to go through those troubles again. The groupies Kiba would bring in would kiss my ass too much, but I would flirt with them a bit for entertainment and to keep the persona up. 

        That's the pros of being in a rock band. No one expects much from us and nothing's controversial. The agency is lenient too, even though we're more than just a band agency. It started off as a magazine company and expanded to both. Ended up doing a lot of photoshoots and promos, but I sucked it up because it was more profitable than being a self-founded record label.

        I sighed tiredly, standing up to lean my back against the bar. I sipped my drink so the taste could knock me out of my trance. I bopped my head to the music slightly, skimming across the room, surveying if anything or anybody was interesting. Nothing much.

        Until I hear a familiar voice laughing from across the room. I snapped my head towards the voice only to see (Y/N) and her friend sitting with the guys. I watched as she raised her glass to her lips. Even though she dressed like a punk, there was a certain elegance in the way she held her drink, and how her fingers curled the glass. The way she sat was straight with a natural arch that demonstrated her curves. Her lipstick leaves a subtle mark on the rim of the glass, like before at the concert. I can't help but stare as the room's lighting accentuated her skin, as she smiled faintly in delight.

        I smirked. I've taken back what I thought beforehand. There was someone that caught my eye.

        I knew about Kiba and Naruto's plan to have them as groupies, but I'm surprised she accepted it. She continued to smile and laugh at their conversations, but I can't tell if it's real. Compared to her friend, her only interest was the drink in her hand instead of the guys. But maybe she's just pretending to not care too. 

        Her friend pulled her by the arm with Kiba and Naruto to the dancefloor. She danced hypnotically, quickly lost in the music. Her hair flowed as she spun around, her eyes closed in the moment. Kiba offered her a shot, which she happily accepted and downed. She loosened up more, her eyes alive, smiling like her lips. Her hips rolling to the music sensually and her hands traced the air and then her body to the rhythm. She danced against her friend, the two enjoying the moment together.

        She was magnetic and captivating, not only to me. There were other men around watching the two in desire, hoping that one of them danced with them, but with Kiba and Naruto around, it was hard to make a move.

        I made my way over to her. I just wanna mess around a little bit.

Chapter Text

        She heard footsteps approaching her from behind while her own feet were moving in place to the rhythm. With all the drinks she had just now and at the concert, things were hazy. She could only see a blur of Naruto and Kiba's surprised faces staring at the approaching figure behind her. But quickly they go back to dancing, Kiba putting his hands on Megan's waist again. 

        She also didn't care, the rhythm matching her heartbeat, her chest light, the alcohol pulsing through her blood, giving her a warm buzz, she danced. It didn't matter who was watching, this was fun. If she gets to do this more by joining them, then maybe it wasn't a mistake.

        Then she felt a pair of firm hands on her hips traveling up to her waist, pulling her in closer to this mystery person's chest. His delicate, slender fingers remained there as he swayed in rhythm with her. She didn't care, as her brain was in a daze and she could only focus on how great it felt to dance with somebody too. 

        Sasuke let out a low grunt when she accidentally grinded on his groin. He was appeased, slightly thrown off by this action thinking it was on purpose.  With her back to his chest, she danced on him, getting low then back up, with her hands traveling up and down his chest. She's easy, he thought thinking that this woman had no shame like the others. She wants to play a game that she knows she will lose.

        But truthfully, (Y/N) missed the high life. She missed what she missed out on when she was being good for her ex-boyfriend. The resentment was still deep in the back of her mind and she was getting her feelings out by getting wasted and dancing with hopefully a hot guy that was behind her. She threw her arms up and wrapped them around his neck, which forcefully brought him down closer to her neck. 

        She moved her body to the music against him sensually, which led to him being in more denial. He won't believe that they were on equal grounds. He could accept she was sexy, she knew how to work it, but she was just another girl. There was no space between their bodies and he was in denial he was enjoying it. 

        She felt his hands travel up and down her body, barely touching the surface of her stomach and chest. They traveled up to her arms, which were still wrapped around his neck. His icy fingertips finally brought her out of her drunken daze, and she whipped around to see who was this mystery man who was boldly making moves on her.

        (Y/N) was surprised to see the raven-haired guitarist dancing with her. This time facing him, she wrapped her arms around his neck once more, looking up into his eyes with a playful, sly smile that he couldn't help but feel turned on by.

        "Aren't you bold?" She purred in his ear, her words slightly slurred but clear enough for him to smile.

        "You are too." He pulled in closer by her hips. "I can feel your body dancing on me like you want me."

        "Oh, I just thought you were a different, much hotter guy," She teased, "I'm just groovin'!"

        "Mhm, shut up and just keep 'groovin'' then."

Chapter Text

(Y/N)

        "God, my head..." I groaned as I woke up, clutching my head as my annoying phone kept ringing. I picked up the call from an unknown number, trying to wake myself up fully to be able to speak.

        "Hello? Who is this?" I muttered quietly.

        "Hey!~" Kiba answered. "Got your number from Megan, just wanted to remind you of our deal from yesterday. We sent an email on the tour dates and details, as well as what to bring if you could, but if you're missing anything, we'll just buy it for you. Gotta look good for us, okay?"

        Oh, right, starting today Megan and I were groupies for Desert Rose, even though they didn't explicitly state that. 

        "Alright, I'll get ready..." I murmured, getting up from bed and trudging to the bathroom.

        "Yeah, you go do that, someone will be there to pick you up in about two-ish hours so be ready by then, ciao!~" Click!

        I took a quick cold shower to wake myself up and hopefully ease the hangover I was suffering through. I brushed my teeth wrapped up in my towel tiredly, trying to recall everything that happened last night. It was all a blur, I haven't drunk that much since my waitress days. I remembered agreeing to the deal and then taking a couple of celebratory shots with the guys and Megan, which was probably where my limit should have ended. Then I... danced with them a little bit... This hot guy was dancing with me but I can't remember what he looked like in the dark and with all that liquor affecting my vision. Sucks, I'll forever be a mystery to him since we didn't trade numbers. 

        After finishing up in the bathroom, I made my way to the kitchen to make a quick and easy hangover breakfast sandwich with the key component being salty eggs. Does wonders. 

        I grabbed my laptop and opened it up on my dining table while eating my breakfast. I checked my emails to see one from the agency, with a detailed itinerary and packing list for this journey I'll be on. It was mostly the basics, but as I scrolled down, there was information about some events having dress codes and being prepared for that. Like, a swimsuit?... Whatever. 

        I finished eating and headed back to my bedroom to start packing. 

        "Gotta look good? Hope they don't mind how much luggage I'm bringing..." I muttered under my breath, talking to myself. The tour was ending in five weeks, and packing for five weeks was difficult. "I'm glad I only have class once a week, not like I've been attending on time anyways."

        After packing, I waited for whoever was supposed to pick me up to arrive. I thought about the previous night again, this time recollecting how it felt. It felt freeing to indulge again. Although I can't clearly remember that guy's face, his hands were firm, yet gentle on me, and I couldn't forget how his body felt against mine. So he must be attractive. 

        A knock on my door pulled me out of my thoughts and I sat up to open it. The driver from last night greeted me and helped me take all my luggage to the same Rolls-Royce. I stepped into the vehicle and strapped myself in getting myself situated as the driver started the engine and headed to our destination.

        We headed back to Sunagakure where most of the staff and the guys were packing for our leave. We were in the private lot of the hotel, which was designated for celebrities for their privacy. There was a double-decker bus parked in the lot that was being filled with covered instruments carefully by staff and the guys. I see Sasuke wiping down his guitar before carefully zipping it up in his bag.

        "I will put away your luggage that you won't be needing anytime soon in the storage area below the bus. It will be next to the section with the boys' instruments and luggage if you need it," the driver instructed. He walked away with my most of my clothes, leaving me with my large backpack of everyday essentials. I see him lift my luggage into a space that was filled with Megan's pink suitcases. 

        Megan, who arrived earlier, cheerily hugged me. "Hiya!~ Thanks for coming with me, (Y/N). You don't think so, but I def would not survive alone."

        "I don't know about that... but ugh, I feel like shit right now. How are you alive from last night?" 

        "I dunno, I just don't get hangovers! Lucky me!" She flashed me a toothy grin. "Sorry for dragging you here with me, though. I realized you might not wanna do this but I forced you to."

        I sighed and patted her on the back comfortingly before reassuring her, "No, because of you I'm getting money out of this. Plus, this might be more fun than I expect, so let's make the most out of this, you and me!"

        She cheered and hugged me again, feeling pumped. After listening to her talk about her ideas to seduce Kiba on this trip, she goes off to begin her plan.

        I leaned against the bus, trying to get over my headache. The driver from before approached me and said if I wanted, I could go inside the bus first to rest. 

        I stepped onto the bus and admired its' interior and amenities. There was a 'living' area in the middle of the bus, that had a small TV as well as a black leather couch built into one of the sides of the bus. The lighting gave the room a soft, ample, warm glow to the walls that shined on the mahogany walls and accents. A kitchenette area was sectioned off near the front with a sink, drawers, counters, as well as a small fridge. An espresso machine was resting on top of the counter, freshly used by one of the members. Across from the sink was a small dining area, with two rows of seats facing each other in the same faux leather material as the couch, and a granite table separating the seating. And of course, the driver's section.

       On the second floor was the sleeping area that had multiple bunk beds across from each other with a walkway in the middle. There were 4 beds on either side and there was enough space for it to not be claustrophobic but cozy, as well as curtains for privacy. At the end of the bus was a compact bathroom big enough for the essentials—a toilet, a shower, and a sink. Each section was separated by a sliding door. 

        I walked over and threw my backpack into an overhead compartment above the couch before lying down on it. I put one earbud into my ear and played some music before closing my eyes, attempting to sleep off my hangover.

        I probably should build my tolerance up again, I thought to myself. It's been a while since I partied this hard and now I'll probably be partying damn near every weekend. 

        My head kept replaying my blurry memories of yesterday trying to remember the joy of it in the present. In a way, it distracted me from my hangover. 

        With my music and thoughts distracting, approaching footsteps go completely unnoticed by me. It was until I felt a finger tap my head which led me to open my eyes, only to see Gaara with his eye-catching, fiery red hair. His sea-foam green eyes were staring into mine expressionless. 

        "Sorry, taking up all the space," I apologized, swinging my legs off the couch and sitting up. He sat on the opposite end leaning deep into the backrest.

        "It's fine, I would be doing the same right now," He replied.

        The awkward silence was cutting through the air between us. I was slightly nervous due to his intimidating look and composure. He was wearing a black hoodie, resting his hands in his pocket. Tattoos were creeping up his neck, and his eyeliner was heavy and sharp, making his gaze colder. I wasn't afraid of him, however. I can't tell if he would want to talk to me.

        He broke the silence first thankfully with his deep, smooth voice, "What were you listening to?"

        "Um, uh-" I checked my phone, "a song by Guns N' Roses."

        "Good taste," He acknowledged. "Your friend out there is excited."

        "Oh, uh- Really? I mean, yeah I know she is," I stammered, surprised that he started a conversation. 

        "Yeah," He let out a fake chuckle, "What about you?"

        "I mean I can't lie, I'm excited to travel a bit," I replied truthfully.

        Gaara turned to look at me, examining me with imperceptible eyes. I looked at him as well with a tenseness as he stared. 

        "That's all? Not wanting anything more from us?" He asked interrogatively, squinting his eyes. 

        "No, did you think I would?" I asked back accusingly. Man, what does this guy think of me?

        "Your friend definitely does..." He said.

        I laughed, "Sure, but who can blame her? Everyone wants to feel good. Be special. Have a fun story to tell especially things like this. It's not hurting anyone, not even herself. I think it's benefitting your friend there."

        I nudged him to look outside the window towards Kiba and Megan, who were sincerely talking to each other. He was showing her his drumsticks and the engraved designs on them.

        "And you don't want that?" 

        "Haha, nah. I do want to feel special but make it happen on my own. Wanted to be famous on my own. But I'm starting to think it's tiring being famous," I said. 

        His lips curled into a small smile, shattering his tough persona. "You can say that again."

        I frowned playfully, "That was all you trying to be tough on me?"

        "My bad, I'm not a fan of Naruto and Kiba bringing fans with us usually but they told me to warm up to you girls," He explained. "Said you guys were different this time."

        I turned my body to face him, sitting with my legs on the couch and leaning against the backrest sideways "So, are we different?"

        "I don't know about her, but..." He slowed his speech, looking at me up and down, before locking eyes and smirking. "If you want me to say you're different so bad, I guess you are."

        I playfully threw a small decorative pillow at him, "Oh, shut up! I'm not a pick-me."

        He laughed, his soothing husky voice ringing in my ears, "I'm joking, but you are unique in my opinion."

        "Is that so?"

        "Yeah, I thought you would be like the rest like those fans backstage in Konoha." He bleated, cringing at the memory of them. "Girls like that put me in uncomfortable situations all the time."

        "I bet. You surprised me too, didn't expect the 'bad boy' out of the group to be sweet," I said.

        "It's all a persona. We each have to act a certain trope as it brings in more fans. Besides Naruto and Kiba, it's mostly an act the agency made us do," he explained. 

        "Ooo, I wanna hear everyone's trope now," I encouraged. 

        He sighed embarrassed, before explaining, "Naruto's the loud, hypeman of the band, a confident leader."

        "I can tell, he's great with the crowd."

        "Yeah, but he's clueless with girls off stage," he jorted. "Next is Kiba, the flirty playboy. The agency wants fans to think they have a chance with him and they're probably right."

        I laughed at his shady comment, making him smile as well.

        He continued, "Shikamaru's the suave, smart one, like Kyoya from Ouran High School Host Club."

        "You watched it?!"

         "My sister made me watch it with her." He rolled his eyes. "Anyways, Sasuke's the cool and cocky quiet type. I got stuck with the rough and tough 'bad boy' trope because of how I look."

        He pointed to the tattoo on his forehead.

        "Do you hate it?" I asked.

        "I don't mind it, most of my fans are too afraid to be weird with me besides a few stragglers like that day. They don't want to get on my 'bad' side," He jested.

        I giggled, "Not your 'bad' side... I don't wanna see that."

        He smirked sarcastically, "Yeah, you better be careful..."

THIRD PERSON       

        Sasuke stared through the window at the blazing redhead and (H/C) girl laughing together on the bus. His eyes were narrowed, and his expression unreadable, but there was tension in his jaw as he clenched with annoyance. He was suddenly irritated, the scene of the two bantering was gnawing at him.

        Did you forget about last night that quickly? He thought to himself bitterly. Jumping from guy to guy, huh? 

        He wasn't jealous, but territorial. He was bitter by the idea that it wasn't only him that she was interested in, only him that she wanted.

        He scoffed, walking away from the sight to continue packing his equipment. 

        "Tch, whatever..." He muttered under his breath.

Chapter Text

        Soon enough, Megan and the rest of the band boarded the bus. I got over my hangover and felt so much better. We arranged who gets which bunk and one for the driver if they want a break. 

        "You two, I'm gonna go over our schedule and your role in this," Naruto started. "We're heading to Kumogakure first which is about a 15-hour drive give or take. We usually try to arrive one to two days before the show where we have to rehearse and you guys will be there. Sometimes we're super early."

        "Are you guys rehearsing the whole time?" Megan piqued.

        "No, time left after or before rehearsals is free time to do what you please. We only have one stage rehearsal the day before the show. You don't have to stick by us like glue the whole time if you don't want to. Our free time as well."

        I nodded, excited to travel to each city they were visiting in my free time. I hope I have enough time to go sightseeing.

        "Your role is to entertain us, keep us company, but also help us out during rehearsals like small tasks and favors. Since we're getting more known, we have to attend some events that will have other bands, idols, or celebrities. You'll have to accompany us, make us look better, and intimidate others." He continued.

        "Lastly, have fun! There are also many fun events and parties we'll be at so have fun with that. Don't be afraid to ask us anything or if you simply wanna hang, that's your purpose anyways," He smiled at me specifically. "Everything's on us, that's our exchange."

        "I'll keep that in mind," I said, as he walked off. It was nerve-wracking. I won't 'entertain' to that extent for them, but even just flirting and being seductive was difficult for me. Well, difficult sober at least. I was awkward compared to Megan. I know that groupies are typically here for sex, but most of the band didn't seem to be in it for that. Unless I'm wrong? I might just be thinking too nicely of them. 

        It wasn't like I was scared to have sex, I had my fair share of sexual partners before. But there was no way in hell did I want to be a stereotypical, infamous groupie. I shuddered at the thought, I couldn't imagine being passed around like that. I figured out I can only sleep with someone I have a connection to at least, and no one's caught my heart yet.

        I looked at everyone on the bus. They were all very attractive and unique. Well, too soon to tell.

        I watched as Megan hit it off with Kiba, Naruto, and surprisingly Sasuke? She was laughing with everyone having Kiba looking at her with desire. I knew when I met her she was promiscuous, she didn't care about body count, her body, and disbelieved in purity culture. We became friends because I never judged her for it. We all have our morals. She was a pretty bad enabler when I was using, but when I said I wanted to stop, she respected that and pushed for me to be clean.

        It was then our friendship solidified.  

        Naruto, Kiba, and Megan beckoned everyone to circle up, waking up Shikamaru from his nap to join. We circled the dining area, Gaara offering us to sit on one side of the table, and Shikamaru and Kiba on the other. Naruto, Sasuke, and Gaara were left to stand.

        "So to get to know each other, Megan suggested a way to break the ice..." Naruto smirked. "We will be playing 'never have I ever'!"

Chapter Text

THIRD PERSON 

        Shikamaru scoffed at the suggestion, "Are you being deadass? That's some high school shit, dude."

        "I'm down, I wanna hear how experienced our ladies are," Kiba approved, grinning widely.

        Sasuke observed (Y/N) closely, trying to make out her reaction. She hummed in agreement, smiling politely. Before this, he heard Megan talk about (Y/N) and decided to join the conversation, yet he won't admit to himself that he wanted to know more about her. Megan mentioned how (Y/N) was a big drinker compared to herself, and that she becomes a totally different person when she's drunk. So a great idea shot up in his brain to spice up this little game. 

        "Hey, I got an idea," Sasuke started.

        "Wow, Sasuke's down for this? What's your big idea?" Shikamaru monotoned.

        Sasuke goes to the kitchenette, opening the cabinets to grab five shot glasses and a bottle of Jack. He walked back to the group.

        "We can play, but to make this competitive, you can either put a finger down and explain the story or," He slammed the bottle and glasses down. "take a shot to avoid putting a finger down and explaining the story." He wanted to see how willing she would go to not lose her fingers or to talk about herself. 

        (Y/N) looked up at him from her seat with a perplexed look, "Are you sure? You guys are probably going to drink the most?"

        "Woah look, we're a lot more innocent than you think," said Shikamaru. 

        "Let's do it! That seems like a fun idea, Sasuke!" Megan chimed. "Everybody put five fingers up! Who should go first?"

        "I'll go since I'm the leader!~" said Naruto. "Never have I ever left someone on 'read.'"

        Almost everyone excluding Megan, and (Y/N) put a finger down. 

        "I don't believe that at all..." Gaara doubted.

        (Y/N) chuckled sheepishly, "We don't have any other friends besides each other..."

        "I only trust her!" Megan beamed, giving her a side hug. 

        Kiba cleared his throat, "Alright, my turn! Naruto's was boring so let's make it spicy. Never have I ever been skinny dipping!"

        Megan and (Y/N) looked at each other, as they giggled putting a finger down. 

        "You have to tell us the story now," He convinced them. 

        Megan smiled, "Well~, (Y/N) had just broken up with her ex so we decided to get drunk at like two in the morning, and 'innocently' wandered into a neighborhood pool. And we really wanted to swim." 

        (Y/N) laughed embarrassed that she mentioned her breakup. She didn't want them to think she was still heartbroken or something of the sort. She just felt bitter about the reason why it ended.

        Kiba motioned to Shikamaru for his turn, he sighed, then acted as if he was thinking hard, "Never have I ever broken a bone."

        Kiba groaned, "Ugh, that's lame, think of something else, genius!"

        "Fine," Shikamaru replied, before he locked eyes with (Y/N), trying to come up with something to make her put a finger down or take a shot. "Never have I ever kissed my best friend?"

        Again, Megan and (Y/N) looked at each other, before (Y/N) cut in, "Meg, I'm taking the shot so I don't have to explain..."

        "Me too... We don't talk about that," She murmured, her face red. 

        "Say what! You two kissed?" Kiba butted in. "Damn, I wanna hear the story."

        "Too bad, it's between us!"

        (Y/N) looked over to Naruto and Sasuke who put a finger down quietly, heads turned away from each other, both of them slightly flustered.

        "Wait... Don't try to hide from us, did you guys also kiss?" she slyly asked. "So what happened?"

        "Idiot was testing me and someone bumped into him, that's all. Nothing like what you two probably did," Sasuke threw back. 

        "Oh my god, I remember that! That was the funniest shit I've ever seen," laughed Kiba

        "Moving on!" Megan sputtered. "It's my turn. Never have I ever..."

        The group kept playing, either taking shots or putting a finger down.

        So far, the score was Gaara and Shikamaru tied with three fingers, (Y/N), Sasuke, and Naruto tied with two, and Kiba and Megan at one. They laughed and teased each other, loosening up and getting more comfortable. Sasuke kept his eyes on (Y/N), tracking how often she'd avoided explaining her stories by drinking. Her face was a soft red, and the way her voice started to sound frisky as she laughed was inviting. 

        It was Gaara's turn, and he looked at the two newcomers, "Never have I ever sent a nude."

        He watched as Megan and Kiba wailed as they reached for the bottle, whispering to themselves about how they didn't want to lose.

        He turned to (Y/N) to see she didn't put a finger down or take a shot. Gaara raised an eyebrow, "You never? Not with your ex?"

        (Y/N), with her cheeks cutely flushed, lightly brushed her hair behind her ear, "Nope!~ Are you surprised?"

        Gaara had noticed too, how confident and flirtatious (Y/N) suddenly became. He could tell it wasn't because she was interested in anybody, but it was just how she acted when she wasn't sober. He noticed how she leaned in closer while dragging her tone cheerily. He smirked lightly, "No, just thought about how unlucky he is."

        "Oh, I bet he is," she breathed devilishly, catching both Sasuke and Gaara off guard. 

        Naruto interrupted their focus unknowingly with his booming voice, "I have a good one! Never have I ever been walked in on while having sex with someone!"

        Gaara glared at Kiba with a grudge, his eyes shooting daggers filled with poison straight into his soul, "You better put your fucking finger down because that was the nastiest shit I've seen in my life."

        Kiba was unfazed by Gaara's expression and disgust, putting his finger down. "I'm out! He already explained everything."

        "...It wasn't on this bus right?" Sasuke asked, begging for his assumption to be wrong.

        Kiba scoffed, "Of course not, you guys look down on me too much!" Everyone sighed in relief.

        (Y/N) turned to Megan giving her a 'c'mon now' look, who exchanged her glance pouting, putting her last finger down, "Ugh, I'm done drinking straight liquor out of the bottle... I'm out."

        Sasuke raised an eyebrow, noticing the interaction. "You walked in on her?"

        "Yup, she looked great. The guy? Not so much."

        Megan gave her an exaggerated thankful look, "Aww, thanks (Y/N), but again, we just have different types in men, okay? That's why we get along so well, yeah?~."

        She drunkenly burrowed her head into (Y/N)'s chest, nuzzling playfully showing her best friend affection like a cat, "Love you!~"

        The entire band tensed their bodies staring at the lewd scene in front of them, knowing the all-too-familiar feeling brewing up in their torso. Their minds blanked while watching (Y/N) stroke her hair in return, pulling her deeper into her cleavage, and repeating her words in a tipsy voice, "I love you too!~" Are they here for the band or each other at this point?

        Sasuke cleared his throat, turning everyone's attention away from them, "My turn. Never have I ever hooked up with someone I didn't find attractive."

        Naruto's face cringed as he put his finger down. (Y/N) hummed as she thought about her past partners, wondering if she should put a finger down. She then remembered the first guy after her breakup and also recoiled in distaste, putting a finger down.

        "You two gotta explain now!" Kiba exclaimed. 

        "It was freshman year of college, I rushed for a frat party and some woman way older than me, like an eight-year difference, was hitting on me. The frat guys were telling me to 'bag' the MILF as initiation and I just did it," Naruto told his story. 

        "Dude... You're a victim," Megan empathized. "So, (Y/N), what about you? I never knew about this."

        (Y/N) wondered if she should have taken a shot instead of telling the story, but sucked it up, heaving before speaking, "It was the first guy I slept with after my break up, we met at a mixer and he was sweet at first. I wasn't into him physically but felt bad, so I agreed to a date."

        Shikamaru listened intently, watching as the girl in front of him nervously twiddled her thumbs against the shot glass on the table. She felt shy because of the attention and because of being vulnerable in front of people she just met.

        "We ended up sleeping together after since I was a bit lonely, but he stopped being nice and demanded sex constantly, so I had to ghost him," She quickly hurried. 

        There was an awkward silence before she broke it herself, "On a lighter note, there are five better-looking guys in front of me now so all is well."

        She put on a kittenish smile, going back to her drunk, flirty self. It doesn't go unnoticed by Shikamaru how she deflected her feelings so easily. She was great at putting up walls, and he had to respect that. Not like he should have the energy to care though. Right? 

        Kiba whistled, "And we got two stunning ladies here too, right guys?"

        Sasuke, Gaara, and Shikamaru glanced at (Y/N) as she winked cheekily in response, her laughter soft and light drawing them in with her charm. Her soft tone with a slightly lowered pitch was seductive. She had a sense of mystery surrounding her, that made them curious about her, maintaining her distance, making herself not available too easily. A chase. There was an allure to her the whole game like the way her eye contact was always lingering on the person she was speaking to. 

        The three of them had the faintest blush spread over their cheeks.

        "Mhm..." They all hummed in agreement, avoiding eye contact with the girl.

Chapter Text

        About halfway to Kumogakure, most of the members were idling around. (Y/N) fell asleep after the 'never have I ever' game, regretting drinking and blaming her competitive nature. Megan was bored, with her best friend asleep, she was tired of only talking to the boys. She left the kitchenette of the bus after snacking and headed to the living room to see Kiba playing on the Xbox connected to the TV. With her hands clasped behind her back, she innocently strode to him. 

        "Whatcha' playing?" She asked.

        Kiba turned towards her with a smile on his face. "Call of Duty Zombies, it's the only thing I can play offline."

        She nodded theatrically, pretending she knew what game he was talking about.

        "Are you good at video games?" He inquired.

        "Nope! Not at all! Never touched a controller!" Megan chirped honestly. "My mom thought video games were for boys only so I never tried."

        Kiba stood up and grabbed another controller that was in the media console. He resided back to the couch, with his legs spread apart, motioning her to sit in between his legs. 

        "I'll teach you how to play, so you hold it like this..." Kiba guided her hands to the right buttons and joysticks, explaining which button does which action. She tried to listen to his instructions, but couldn't help but be distracted by how rough and strong his hands were, how his fingertips were calloused from drumming, and how his hands completely enveloped hers. Yet, he was so, so gentle when he caressed his thumb over the back of her hand, and their fingers together felt so intimate.

        She wasn't the only one distracted. Kiba had a hard time explaining the controller when she was so close to him. The way she leaned into his chest made it unavoidable to not notice her scent—a mix of her perfume that had a sweet hint of berries that perfectly blended with her natural, intoxicating pheromones. He always had a good sense of smell. But it was when she turned her head back to look up at him with those doe eyes that made him falter. Why is he losing his cool? 

        "Am I holding it right?" she asked. He tried to gain his composure, staring back into those pretty eyes of hers that were innocently seducing him.

        "I think you're ready. Let's play a round."

        It was a suffocating hour of gaming for Kiba, and it wasn't because of the game. Megan was terrible, which he expected for her first time. She was easily frightened, yelping and flinching at minor jumpscares, and that made him lose his control. Her sudden movements caused her to push into his groin. How did she not notice it? 

        Finally, they lost on wave 20, and he could calm down. 

        "You suck, it's cute," Kiba teased.

        "Oh shut up, it's my first time," she pouted, crossing her arms.

        "You did your best. If you keep playing, I think you can actually get better," he reassured. "You have potential."

        "Really?!" she beamed. "Let's play one more! This time we'll make it to wave 30!" 

        Fuck, he thought. Can he handle another hour of her unknowingly teasing him? But he couldn't say no to her, when her smile lit up her face, and her laugh was so cute and contagious, she was totally immersed with an adorable focus on her face when she had to aim. Also, it wasn't every day you would get to see a pinkalicious-looking girl play a dark, gruesome video game. 

        "Alright, you better get more than ten kills though."

        The bus shook annoyingly as it maneuvered on the rough highway.

        "Ugh..." (Y/N) grumbled, waking up from her nap. "This damn bus shaking like a rollercoaster..."

        She slowly moved to climb out of her bed as Sasuke entered the bedroom. Sasuke gazed at her while she got out of bed, rubbing her eyes with a grumpy look. She was a mess and so bare, the spaghetti strap of her tank top was falling off her shoulder, and her sweatpants were hanging off her hips, revealing her stomach. He looked at her messy, bedhead hair and couldn't help but wonder if that was her messy sex hair too. 

        "Morning, sleepyhead."

        "Morning... Sasuke...?" she greeted softly, with a gentle raspiness. He liked the way his name sounded in that voice. 

        "How many hours do we have left?" she slurred tiredly. 

        "About 7."

        She groaned, grudgingly making her way to the bathroom, grabbing her toothbrush and paste. Sasuke traced her steps to stand behind her, leaning against the doorframe and watching her in the mirror. As she thoroughly brushed her teeth, he smirked to himself thinking with his dick, imagining something else.

        (Y/N) glared at him through the mirror. "What are you doing here?" 

        "Don't talk with a mouthful of toothpaste, weirdo," he nagged. "Bored. 'Entertain' me or something."

        "Can you let me finish brushing my teeth in peace, or would you rather smell my morning breath the whole time?" Wow, she was definitely not a morning person.

        He ruffled her already messy hair to annoy her, before going down to the first floor where everyone was. She quickly finished and joined the others, killing time until they reached their destination.

Chapter Text

(Y/N)

        Finally, after a painstakingly long, long drive filled with small talk, we arrived at Kumogakure pulling into the parking garage. We were staying at a sleek, modern hotel, which they paid for our room thankfully. The guys all have their own separate rooms, while I shared with Megan.

        Megan and I peered into our room and gasped. It was very luxurious with two queen-sized beds, and it was spacious with various amenities. The view out the window was astonishing, showcasing the foggy atmosphere of Kumo. 

        We had one free day to do what we wanted before rehearsal day and concert day. As I unpacked, I realized I had forgotten the most important clothing to pack for this city. A jacket. Kumo was an extremely cloudy, foggy city and very cold even in this season. 

        "Meg, I'm going to head out to buy a jacket, my stupid ass forgot to bring one."

        "Okie! I'm tired, I didn't sleep the whole ride so I'm gonna nap. Text me if anything happens!" she replied.

        I got dressed as warmly as I could with what I brought. How was I going to walk outside in the cold though? ...Screw it. A hoe never gets cold.

        I exited my room and headed down the hallways to the elevator. I pressed the button, waited, and stepped into the empty lift. Right before the elevator door closed, a hand triggered the sensor, opening the door, revealing... Is that Sasuke? He had a hoodie over his head and a pair of clear glasses looking slightly unrecognizable. I guess it was needed for them in public. 

        He stepped in, the door closing behind him. We stood next to each other in silence before he spoke. "Where are you going?"

        "To buy a coat. What about you, Clark Kent?" I said. He gave me a questioning side-eye.

        "Coffee, you seriously gonna go outside in just that?" 

        "Yes."

        Another pause. "...Want my jacket?" he offered.

        I shook my head. "It's fine, I don't need it."

        "Why not?"

        I looked at him with a joking smile. "A hoe never gets cold."

        His face changed to a deadpanned expression before he bantered, "So you're a hoe?"

       "You'll never know," I giggled out.

        The door opened and we walked out. I waved goodbye and made my way to the exit, admiring the interior along the way. A couple of steps later, I noticed that he was still behind me, following me. There was coffee in the lobby, what was he doing? I ignored him. 

        I arrived at the exit, exhaling and preparing myself for the cold. If I could just pretend it was warm outside, I would be warm, was my mindset.

        The bitter wind bit my skin harshly the moment I opened the door, making me immediately regret this. The cold stung my neck and face, my hair barely keeping it warm. I started shivering right away, teeth chattering like a robot. But a few quick seconds later, I was covered by a fluffy and thick material. 

        "Told you so," that familiar voice mocked.

        "Fine, okay, thank you," I said as I put on the jacket properly. "I'll return it when I get back. See you later."

        I started making my way down the street, expecting him to turn around back into the lobby, however he continued following right behind me. "Um, why are you still following me? It's cold out."

        "It's fine, I'm warm enough," he said, walking beside me now. "Kumo is known for their coffee in the city, so I wanted to try."

        "Oh cool! I didn't know that."

       "You can get your coat, and then after coffee on me. I know you need some caffeine after that drive."

        I widened my eyes in surprise, a grin creeping up my lips. "Is this your idea of a date?"

        He took a sharp intake of his breath, looking down, before shrugging. "If that's what you want it to be."

        We continued walking until I spotted a promising boutique that had a nice selection of coats, jackets, and other accessories. I walked in and got to browsing, searching for something that I could keep for the long run. Winter jackets could get pretty pricy, making it an investment. I needed to search for one that matched my wardrobe and was quality material.

        After twenty minutes of scanning through the racks and asking for second opinions from Sasuke, I finally decided on a simple black coat that had a furry lining on the inside. I sighed in disbelief when I checked the price tag. 

        "$200... It makes sense, I can make the money back pretty easily," I muttered to myself, as I walked up to the register. Right before I was going to swipe my card, an arm wrapped around my shoulder. Sasuke then swiped his card instead, signing the card reader. So many questions ran through my head, first, why is his arm around me? Second, he's so warm, it feels nice. Third, why did he pay? 

        I'm not complaining though.

        "Aren't you sweet?" I said, taking off his jacket to put on the newly bought one, slightly missing the scent of his cologne. "I had that, you know."

        "Just felt nice today." 

        "Aw, just admit you like me."

        He smirked as we exited the store, back on the street. "I did it for the 'challenge' you made. You didn't forget about it did you?"

        "You're really competitive, aren't you?"

        "Yes, I am."

        We continued walking down the busy streets of Kumo, shoulder to shoulder together. We chatted and bantered a little on our walk, but we rarely looked at each other because I was focused on watching my feet and ahead of me to not bump into anyone or anything. 

        I felt up the material of the coat, feeling its soft fur on the interior. The last time I shopped with a man was with my ex-boyfriend, and he never once offered to pay. I mean, I never asked, I didn't want to seem like a gold digger but he was well-off... and I didn't even have to ask Sasuke when we're not even dating.

        "Did you hear what I said?" he quizzed.

        "Huh?" I turned to face him, breaking my focus. Before he could repeat what he said, he slid a hand around my waist, roughly pulling me in closer to him with a tight grip, and I fully stumbled into his chest, grabbing onto his hoodie.

        "Careful, you almost bumped into someone head-on," he warned. I regained my composure, evidently flustered, watching the bystander pass by us.

        "Sorry, I got distracted." He smugly smiled.

        "You can let go of your princely savior now." Shit. I pulled back my hands quickly, apologizing once more.

        We resumed our journey to our destination. After a few more blocks, he stopped me. "It's right here, c'mon."

        He opened the door for me and I stepped in, admiring the cozy, yet serious cafe. There were many customers inside either working or hanging out with their partners. I looked up at the menu displayed above on the wall. This was an authentic cafe, as they offered unique and rarer coffee made from different beans. 

        The cashier was an elderly man, wearing a white apron over a sage green white-striped button-up and a brown flat cap.        

        "Welcome, dearies! D'yall have any questions for me?" he greeted.

        Sasuke politely waited for me to answer like a gentleman. I guess chivalry isn't dead.

        "Actually, yes I do! I was looking at the 'egg coffee', what is that?" I asked.

        He smiled at me, "Great eye, it's one of my favorites as growing up. It's a Vietnamese classic, they call it cà phê trứng. The coffee is brewed out of a phin filter and sweetened with condensed milk, and on top is whipped egg yolk."

        "That sounds interesting... I'll try it!" 

        "Alright! And for you, young man?" he asked Sasuke. 

        "Came here for Kona coffee."

        "You got expensive taste, and lucky for you, the Hawaii Kona beans arrived." The barista rang us up and Sasuke paid once again. His eyes softened looking at us. "You two remind me of my wife and I when we were younger. We were such troublemakers in love, the coolest couple in our town."

        I started blushing at his words and I hid my face from Sasuke, expecting him to correct the barista. However, he just hummed in response. I sneaked a glance at his face to see him tight-lipped with a faint pink on his cheeks. Guess he was also embarrassed at the idea of marriage.

        "Let's sit down, this place is nice," I said, heading to an empty table. He followed, pulling the chair out so I could sit down. I thanked him while he settled into the chair across from me. 

        Soon enough, the old man finished pouring our drinks and served us. Sasuke reached for his cup before I stopped him. 

        "Wait, let me take a pic," I demanded.

        "Hurry up, I don't want it to get cold. And don't get me in it." 

        "Yeah, yeah." I snapped a picture of our drinks together.

        I supped on my drink, surprised at the taste. "Believe it or not, the combination of the coffee and egg is really good!"

        He nodded in response, as he sipped his coffee. It just looked like black coffee... 

        "Does yours taste good?" I asked him.

        "Yeah, I guess," he replied coolly. "Tastes the same with a floral and nutty hint. It's sweeter and more mellow."

        "You know your stuff, huh?" I leaned in. "Can I try it?"

        He motioned his hand to his cup in a 'go ahead' action. I picked it up and carefully sipped, tasting... just bitter coffee. 

        "I can't taste what you just said."

        "It's something you pick up after drinking caffeine damn near every day."

        "Like how different brands of water taste different even though it's just water?"

        He paused, thinking about my analogy. "Yeah, I guess."

        It was silent for a bit, as we thought about what to say next. After remembering him teasing me on the street, I decided it was my turn to flirt.

        "You're more tamed than I thought, by the way," I taunted. 

        He scoffed with a smirk. "You think I'm tamed?"

        "Mhm, I expected you to be a bit more wild being a lil' rockstar." He raised an eyebrow at my words, offended by my lighthearted insult. Then he smirked, cockily, holding his head high.

        "I wasn't tamed with you that night when we danced."

        Wait. What? What the fuck was he talking about? My jaw was slacked in shock and he was confused.

        "You don't remember?" 

        "That was you?!"

        "Um, yeah, were you that drunk?" 

        I chuckled nervously, embarrassed that I called the mystery guy 'hot' in my head when it was Sasuke the whole time. Thinking back, I can vividly tell now it was him. "U-uh, yeah, I think I was. Sorry about that."

        Why does he have to keep flipping it on me? He was too good at this. 

        He tilted his head in feigning confusion. "Sorry? I liked it." 

        God, this sly motherfucker. My mind was racing trying to think of a good response. This was so difficult sober, but I had to win the challenge. 

        "Oh?" I started, raising my pitch. "Then it's fine if I approach you next time, right?"

        I leaned in closer, my elbows on the table, playing with the rim of my glass. "I'll make sure you love it when the time comes."

        He leaned in as well, closing the distance between us. "Don't get cold feet when you see me then, you got me all excited."

SASUKE

        This girl was making me lose my cool. My mind kept repeating our day together over and over, her face, voice, and figure clear in my mind. 'I'll make sure you love it when the time comes.'

        There was truth in my reply, I was excited. In both ways. I haven't been this turned on since my raging teenage hormone years. The feel of her waist fit perfectly in my hands when I pulled her in on the street and it still lingered in my palms. Her adorable, focused, serious face as she shopped and asked me which one I liked was too fucking cute, I wanted to ruin it. 

        I honestly don't know why I'm keen on winning this stupid 'challenge'. Maybe it's because I want to see her beg for it, beg for me. But, god, is she hard. I thought I knew exactly what type of girl she was, but I was wrong. She was a fucking mystery. Right now, I'm losing this challenge.

        I turned over on my back in my bed, sighing, covering my eyes from the light. Tomorrow was the rehearsal, and I couldn't get myself to sleep. 

        It's not like I like her. I don't think of her that way. I can't and don't do girlfriends or dating for many superficial and deep reasons. I can't with this career, and I don't because I'm toxic. But it doesn't matter because I don't like her because she's too much like me.

        And I don't like me either, so how could I ever like her.

Chapter Text

(Y/N)

        We got to the venue for their stage rehearsal. They have to practice running the set a few times, making sure there won't be any technical difficulties for the show. 

        The venue was huge and its max capacity was about 10,000 people. I didn't think the band was this known because apparently, tickets sold out. I did the math in my head, trying to calculate and estimate how much they make from each concert. $60 per ticket... and 10,000 people... so $600,000? I worked it out. Minus the cost of production and venue and staff pay, so maybe $500,000... split between 5 members... is $100,000 per member! 

        And they have 5 concerts? Yeah, he can pay for that coat from yesterday.

        There wasn't much to do backstage during their rehearsals. I introduced myself and talked to some staff, hopefully giving my best small talk. Megan was mostly watching the boys practice, interested in the process. We would talk to the guys if they were taking a break or do small favors for them like bringing them water or a towel. 

        I was watching them on the sidelines before Naruto greeted and walked towards me. "Hi, (Y/N)! You doing good back here?"

        I nodded. "Yeah, are you taking a break?"

        "Yes, I'm letting my voice rest right now." 

        "You must be tired from all the singing and yelling you have to do on stage."

        "Sometimes, but there's a technique to it to not strain your voice," he said. "You know, we haven't talked much thinking about it... So let's talk! That's an order from your leader."

        I laughed at his joke, "Easy enough, what should we talk about..."

        "Hmm, I wanted to ask how did you and Megan become friends?"

        I looked up, trying to remember how it started. "Well, we went to the same high school and I saw her everywhere. She was very popular and friendly so some girls got jealous and started making rumors about her."

        I glanced behind Naruto, looking at Megan with fondness. She was talking to Kiba, and she shone so brightly. "It never seemed to affect her though, but one day I saw her backed up against the wall and three other girls bullying her. One of the girl's boyfriends lusted over Megan and she placed the blame on her. They called her a slut, homewrecker, anything they could think of."        

        I paused, reminiscing over that memory. I clearly remembered Megan's hurt face, as she defended herself. "Honestly, I think she could have handled it, but I stepped in and told them to fuck off and cry to their boyfriends. They left after that, and she and I started hanging out. More rumors spread about both of us now, but we didn't care anymore."

        Naruto was surprised, "Y'all are strong for that! Especially you, most people would just walk by."

        I shook my head. "It's not just me, she helped me out a bunch too. After my breakup, she was there beside me and comforting me, going to extreme lengths to distract me and keep me 'healthy'."

        I didn't want to mention my substance use.

        Naruto had the biggest closed-eyed smile. "Reminds me of my group too."

        "Really?"

        He shrugged. "I'm the connecting link between all of them, so there's a bit of pressure on me when we started the band. We fought often, and I had to mediate any arguments although I'm also hot-headed. Before we made it, most of us either ran away from home or got disowned, so we were struggling to live with each other in one house. Just imagine five broken young adult boys living together. Yet, we finally bonded through our similar struggles and backgrounds."

        He looked back at his group, smiling to himself. "I cherish all my friends, even if they annoy me most of the time."

        "Wow, you guys started from the ground up. Respect..." I complimented him, also looking at the group.

        Suddenly, Naruto furrowed his eyebrows in perplexity, and I followed his gaze to see who he was looking at, landing on Megan and Kiba. Kiba was explaining how his drum set worked, while she listened intently standing at a respectable distance away from his cherished instrument. He motioned her to come closer, handing her one of his drumsticks, and telling her to hit one of the drums.

        She does so gently as if she were afraid, and he chuckled, grabbing her fist that gripped the drumstick and struck down on the bass drum.

        Naruto widened his eyes, astonished by the scene in front of him. "I never seen Kiba allow a fan that close to his drums before..."

        I was equally shocked at Megan, who usually only cared about boys, partying, and fashion, "I never seen Meg this interested in drums either."

        Naruto and I looked at each other as we synchronized, "Uhh..."

MEGAN

        It was finally the day of the concert, and I was so excited to see them perform again. Unfortunately, there was no section to watch in front of them, so we watched backstage on the sidelines. I squealed to (Y/N), who was excited with me.

        "(Y/N), I can't wait! This is just the start of our groupie life and I'm so ready for the next four shows." I sighed happily. 

        "Your groupie life, I thought your goal was to fuck Kiba?" she asked.

        I hesitated in agreeing. I really did want to, but for some reason, I was... scared. I didn't know why, it was the first time in my life that I felt scared to sleep with someone. I had many friends with benefits, partners, boyfriends, and even women, and going through the motions was as easy as a breeze. So why is it scary this time?

        I pushed the thought away, feigning confidence before replying, "Yup, he's sooo fine! I think just a couple days left and I'm gonna get laid."       

        There was still doubt in my mind, but I didn't want to think about it when the concert was about to begin.

        "But (Y/N), the rest of them wanna be with youuu, why not just do it?" I teased. "I know you were out with Sasuke two days ago."

        She blushed, averting her gaze displaying a face of irritation and embarrassment. "It was by chance, don't get the wrong idea."

        "You're so cute when you're flustered!" 

        She rolled her eyes at me. Most people say they can't read her, but I knew her so well that she was an open book to me. What kind of best friend would I be if I didn't?

        "How do you even know?"

        "Kiba saw you guys walk back together to the elevators and told me. You guys are so cute!"

        She huffed. "Compared to you and Kiba, you guys look like you're dating already."

        My heart stopped a quick second when she said the word 'dating'.

        And again, I don't know why.

        It was halfway through the show and the audience was cheering loudly. The band performed making sure the audience got what they paid for. (Y/N) was in the back, taking a break from standing and getting a drink, leaving me to watch by myself on the side of the stage. 

        They finished their current song, and Naruto announced that there would be a five-minute intermission. The crowd booed. 

        Naruto grabbed the microphone in his hands once more to flirt with the audience, "Don't worry, we'll miss you guys too!~"

        They screamed as the guys ran off stage, passing by me one by one in a rush to get ready for their next song, giving me a high five in the process since my hand was up. I see Kiba running towards me, rushing in with his hand raising. 

        Everything happened so fast.

        He put his palm against mine before interlocking them together, bringing our hands down. In a flurry, he bent down and planted a soft kiss on my forehead, before running again to grab his drum pads for his snares, separating our hands. 

        My face heated up intensely as I processed what just happened, and suddenly the cold atmosphere in the venue wasn't noticeable anymore. I cupped my own cheeks, feeling the warmth radiating off them. Why am I blushing so hard over a forehead kiss? I literally fucked and made out with so many different guys, that this shouldn't phase me. He didn't even kiss me on the lips!

        This isn't like me at all.

Chapter Text

        The concert ended in a success. 

        Everyone quickly had to pack up and leave, as the venue had a curfew and they would be fined if they surpassed it. Kiba aggressively shoved his belongings in his backpack, angry and disappointed in himself. He made more mistakes than necessary during the show, feeling responsible for inconveniencing his band since he was the one who was supposed to keep the rhythm.

        He looked up at Megan, who was congratulating the others, suddenly not feeling bad about his band. He watched the girl who was the cause of his distractions sweetly complimenting his friends. The guilt he held for his band was replaced with slight jealousy, and he didn't know why. He wasn't usually territorial with the groupies before her, and he couldn't give a single fuck about them if they slept with the others. 

        He scanned her whole figure intensely, getting increasingly irritated as he checked her out. She was so irresistible to him, she was a bombshell who easily pulled people in like a magnet. Her mannerisms were always purposeful, adding to her charm. The perfect mix of cute and sexy. She was a perfect flirt, knowing exactly how to entice a man like a dog.

        And he was one of those dogs. 

        But it didn't explain the jealousy building up in his chest. He got more upset, thinking back to all the times they had together. He got to see a side of her the others didn't. Her clumsy, shy side. She always had a persona up, like she was some sex fiend just like him. But he liked her more when her façade was down, and he couldn't help but drop his too.

        Kiba walked off, knowing if he stared at her even longer, he would feel more angry and turned on. Perhaps it was just the adrenaline after performing.

        Meanwhile, Megan was upset, glancing at Kiba getting up from his seat, and leaving. She stopped paying attention to the other guys in front of her. 

        Why didn't he come to her? She wanted to give him praise, not the others. But she knew she had to as it was her role as a groupie.

        Ah, yes. She forgot she was just a groupie.

        After talking to the others, they said their farewells to speak with (Y/N), so she started walking in the direction Kiba went. He probably already left by now, she thought. 

        She opened the door as it swung to her left, stepping outside into the alleyway and sighing, seeing nobody. She let the door close on its own behind her, standing still in front of it disappointed. 

        "Missed me?" A voice she knew too well spoke. She gasped and turned to her left, seeing Kiba leaning against the wall by the door. 

        "Hi, Kiba! You were so cool during the show!" She praised, trying to go back to her usual flirty self.

        "Do you talk like that to the others too?" he shot, with an aggravated tone.

        "L-Like what?" Why am I stuttering?! She cried in her head.

        "Like that." He inched closer to her, with slow steps. "God, you've been teasing me since we met and I can't fight back with you anymore."

        Her breath hitched, as she moved her steps back with every step he took forward. She felt her back bump into the wall, leaving her with nowhere to go. She knew exactly where this was going, but why didn't it feel right for her?

        "Then don't fight it..." she egged, her mouth on autopilot. He towered over her, both hands on the wall on either side of her head. 

        Kiba wanted to obey, he wanted to just take her, to stop fighting his instinct. But it was different this time. He didn't want to hurt her, he didn't want her to leave after this. He didn't want her to go to another guy, another band, because he knew she was that type.

        Megan had everything she wanted right in front of her. Her plan to seduce him succeeded, this was her chance to feel her idol intimately, but she was hesitant. She didn't want to be another body to him. She was scared that he would leave after he got what he wanted. But she also desired him fiercely, feeling her stomach heat up from the way Kiba feverishly talked.

        "Not unless I know it's going to be only me you focus on." Kiba took one hand off the wall to cup her cheek and lowered himself to look at her eye-to-eye, aroused at her expression. He could tell she was nervous, her eyes filled with anticipation, begging him to do something. "I want you so badly right now, I need you, all to myself."

        He has never said these words to anyone ever in his life. He couldn't help but be desperate for this girl. She could have him groveling on his knees like a mutt if she wanted. 

        "Kiba..." she whispered. God, the way she said his name made him want to kiss her right then and there.

        "Yes?"

        Megan knew she was acting like a cat in heat, feeling every single word he said flowing down her body. She was panting at this point, her knees weak as she stared into his eyes. He was disheveled from the show, but it added to his appeal. She couldn't think straight, and the words spilled out of her mouth as she folded under the tension.

        "I'm all yours."

        That was all he needed to hear to press his lips into hers. He pressed her body against the wall as their mouths moved in sync. Her hands wrapped around his neck, trying to get even closer to him, while his hands grabbed her waist pulling her in. 

        He teased her parted lips with his tongue, luring her to invite him in. She accepted the invitation with her own tongue, and he smiled against her lips. She combed his hair with her fingers making him shiver as their lips and tongues moved together, as if he was hungry. 

        And he was hungry, he was starved. That familiar scent of her perfume had him in a daze. He could taste her leftover flavored gloss mixed with her saliva, and he craved more. His hands glided up her stomach, then he slipped them under her shirt, causing her to gasp. 

        He traced his thumbs over her buds earning a small whimper from her lips. He pressed down just a little bit harder, wanting to hear her moan louder. She granted him his wish uncontrollably, embarrassed at the sound of her voice. He groaned, his pants feeling tighter when he heard what sounded like heaven, and all she could think of was how it sounded like he was growling as if she was caught prey.

        "Fuck..." He breathed out, before going back to attack her lips again. "Is this okay?"

        He traveled down her neck, kissing her sweet spot, giving kittenish licks. He sucked on her sensitive skin, slightly grazing his teeth against it. She let out a shaky breath. He had to make sure he marked her.

        "Mhm..." she tried to reply. She was lightheaded as if she was unfamiliar with this feeling bubbling throughout her entire body, like it was her first time. 

        "Good," he whispered against her neck. "Because I wouldn't be able to stop now."

        He was arousing her badly. Her original hesitance was forgotten, and she needed more. 

        "Kiba, please..." she whined, causing him to pull away.

        "Yes, cutie?" He retracted his hands out of her shirt, cupping her cheeks. He tried to control himself as he stared into her eyes, waiting for her request.

        "Give it to me..." He cracked, seeing her beg with pleading eyes, her voice and lips quivering. "I need it, right now."

       He quickly grabbed her wrist, dragging her away. "If we're doing this, we're doing this right. I want to take in the sight of all of you, from head to toe, in my bed, under me."

        She blushed at his straightforward words, getting wetter with every second. Thank god the hotel is close by.

        "I'll give it to you, exactly how you imagined it."

Chapter Text

(Y/N)

        I went to sleep alone that night, unable to find Megan after the concert. I tried calling multiple times with no response besides the automated voice repeating her number. Dread started to run through my mind, thinking of the worst possible solutions. 

        It was eight in the morning and she still wasn't here. We were supposed to start getting ready to leave in under two hours. In desperation, I texted Kiba, the only member that I had saved as a contact.

(Y/N):   have u seen meg?

Kiba:  she w me rn 👍

(Y/N):  is she good? we leavin soon rite

Kiba: i just woke her up she otw to u

        The fact that she was able to spend the night with Kiba within a few days was astonishing to me. I could only assume she got what she came along for. Thank god she was safe though. I got out of bed to prepare for another round of touring, stretching the sore muscles I received from the firm mattress. Within a couple of minutes, I finished my morning routine and started packing everything back up into my luggage, folding the new coat Sasuke bought for me neatly into the space.

        The door handled urgently shook, trying to unlock. With a strong push of the door, Megan trudged quickly into the room and flopped on the bed, whining.

        "Meg? Are you okay? What happened?"

        "We fucked."

        I cracked a worried smile, coming over to rub her back. "...Congradolences?"

        "That was funny," she monotoned, her voice muffled from her deepening faceplant into the bed. She sat up and looked at me with teary eyes. I gave her time to speak.

        "I think I ruined it." Her eyes lowered to the ground, knowing she couldn't cry. "I think I like him. Like, like him."

        She inhaled deeply, being strong and collected. The 'her' she allowed me to see was present, there was no fake cheeriness to her like usual. Her voice had a slight tremble when she started speaking, before getting used to sounding clearer. "And I ruined it by sleeping with him, knowing he's a rockstar and probably will forget me after all of this like the others."

        She voiced the exact reasons I have that made me keen to not take any of them to heart. But I knew deep down that maybe she had a chance.

        "I think he likes you too. Like that." I reassured, with full honestly. She finally raised her head to look at me. "His usual act drops whenever you're around and he becomes so gentle whenever he's with you."

        Her eyes looked up, thinking about the idea, "Yeah, maybe..."

        "So... how was it? Was he nice to you?" 

        She had a deadpan expression. "It was.. the best sex I ever had."

        She inhaled, before rambling, "It was not what I was expecting out of him. It was so passionate and feral at first, super intense before the real thing, like my original fantasies before we met them, he was 'Howl'. But before the real thing happened, he had this look in his eyes that I can't explain while he asked for my consent, and the intensity, it switched and he was so gentle with me, and I was just so nervous, like... sorry T.M.I, I expected doggy, but we were in missionary the whole time and I really like that. But it was still so passionate at the same time."

        I giggled at her ranting not once pausing to take a breath. Somehow she was still funny when feeling conflicted. "Maybe he's thinking the same thing as you, that you're going to move on from him after this is all done."

        "That would be so complicated." She smiled gently, feeling less down. "Oh, I forgot to mention, his dick was about s-"

        "Please, don't say anymore, I don't want to look at him differently," I cringed, covering her mouth with my hand. 

        She laughed like her normal self again, her hazelnut irises shining brightly, "Yeah, it isn't over for me, I'm Megan, I can get whoever I want, this time permanently."

        "Duh, honestly I think he's head over heels for you already but I like the determination."

        She smiled at me, dropping her shoulders like a weight was off her shoulders before pulling me in for a hug. "Thank you, (Y/N)."

        I rubbed her back while she hugged me. "That's my bestie."

        We were quickly back on the bus to another city, another concert. This time we were heading to Kirigakure, a city known for its unique architecture and arts. It was rich in history, with ancient buildings preserved and restored to be fully functional as banks, stations, and government buildings, but also had a twinge of modernism with abstract sculptures and architecture. Kirigakure went from the cheapest city to live in, to the most expensive with its fast development.

        I yawned not out of tiredness, but boredom. I was told this was going to be a seven-hour drive, and we were two hours into the trip, and I had nothing to do for the next five hours when everyone was asleep from last night's show. Was I the only one who got a good night's sleep?

        I got up from the couch, heading to the kitchenette to get something to munch my boredom away, only to see Shikamaru sitting at the dining table playing online shogi on his phone. Found something much better to cure my boredom now.

        "Hey SK!~" I greeted rowdily.

        He rolled his eyes with a faint smile. "Yes?"

        "I'm bored, entertain me."

        "Aren't I supposed to say that? What a drag," he complained.

        "Then let's entertain each other." I gave him exaggerated puppy dog eyes. "Please?"

        He sighed, putting his phone away in his pocket, "Fine, what did you wanna do?"

        "I don't know."

        "For real." His face blanked. I nodded with a lopsided grin. "Alright, give me a second."

        He got up from his seat to rummage through one of the kitchen's drawers, before pulling out a deck of cards and placing it on the table. 

        "You know how to play poker?" He asked me.

        "Slightly, played a couple of times," I replied, my mind jogging to my memory of playing poker with my previous coworkers. There was a lot more 'skiing' than poker though.

        "Let's play then, you want anything to drink?" He offered, grabbing a glass already like he already knew my answer.

        "Awe, thanks Shika, can I get your fanciest cocktail, please?" I asked, taking a seat at the table. 

        "Woman, we are on a bus, not at a bar." He turned to me with an annoyed look as I smiled back at him, resting my head in my hand. "Most I can give you is a vodka cranberry."

        I thanked him as he poured and served my drink to me. I took a gulp, grimacing at how unprepared I was for the strong-tasting liquor.

        "Damn, this shit is more vodka than cranberry..." I spat out, still regretting I didn't just sip. 

        "My bad, ran out of juice," he halfheartedly apologized, shuffling the cards efficiently with his dexterous hands. "Since it's just the two of us and we have nothing to bet, we're going to change up the rules a bit."

        He dealt our hands, before explaining the rules, "It's mostly the same, but we can only check, fold, or go all in. If someone folds and the other does have a higher hand, then they win. They'll lose if they have the higher hand and fold. All in goes straight to the river, and whoever wins gets two points. Four rounds."

        He interlocked his fingers together on the table, placing his chin on top, "Got it?"

        I shrugged, "Easy enough."

        "Confident, I like that."

THIRD PERSON

        The first round had started, and the two players discreetly looked at their hands. Shikamaru had seven hearts and nine spades, while she had five hearts and two hearts. With both having promising hands, they check moving on to the flop turn. 

        He dealt three cards on the table, king of spades, seven diamonds, and seven clubs. 

        (Y/N) faltered slightly, noticing she could not make a good hand yet. She glanced over to Shikamaru, attempting to peer into his soul if he had a better hand already. He lifted an eyebrow, which threw her off. He could be bluffing. 

       Before she could call her bet, he bets first, "All in."

        Her mouth is agape in shock at how soon he called all in. How did he know she had no hand? Or was his hand that good?

        Shikamaru dealt the two cards leading straight to the river, nine of hearts and ten of clubs, and flipped and revealed his cards in a quick motion. She showed her cards, pouting at her loss. 

        "You bet 'all in' with just a three-of-a-kind hand in the flop round?!" She asked in disbelief. 

        "It's a full house now," he mentioned, pointing at the nine of hearts card. "Lucky me."

        She groaned, taking a swig of her drink, feeling the warmth kicking in from the vodka. "Round two, c'mon."

        He dealt their hands again, checking his hand seeing he had king of diamonds and four spades. She had ace hearts and ace diamonds, an amazing hand to start with. With all her might, she poker-faced as best as she could. 

        They both checked, moving to the flop. King hearts, ace clubs, four spades. 

        "Why not just let me win, Shikamaru?" She asked, leaning closer as she tilted her head, her fingers fiddled with the rim of her glass, attempting to bluff with her words instead of her face.

        "That wouldn't be as fun, would it?" He smirked, leaning closer to her face. "Check."

        She faked a frown, "Check."

        He dealt the flop turn, revealing a king of hearts, ace clubs, and four spades. She had a chance to score a four-of-a-kind hand, but she could also go all-in if she could find out if her hand was worse than his right now. Her eyes traveled to his narrow brown eyes, trying to make out any emotions coming from his face. 

        She took another sip of her drink, "All in!"

        He whistled a descending pitch, "I think you got me this time." He went straight to the river, an ace diamonds and seven hearts, giving her a four-of-a-kind win with all aces.

        "Thanks for the win," she said, giving him a playful wink. 

        "It's because you asked so nicely."

        By the third round, her drink was halfway finished. With the new cards dealt her facial expressions were not as poker-faced as she thought, a three and four spades.

        Shikamaru on the other hand was not on the luckiest side with king diamonds and seven clubs, but truth be told, he could have easily won from the beginning. All he had been doing was watching every single detail of her face, the way her lips would curl slightly up if her hand was good, the way she would bet with a twinge of confidence, and especially when she would play with the rim of the glass as if she was just waiting to win.

        And he did notice that the more empty the glass got, the more she has that sexy cocky look in her eyes, where she looked up from her lashes while she was resting her cheek on her hand.

        They both checked, and he dealt the flop of five spades, king spades, and ten spades. 

        She bit her lip as she looked at the board, hiding her excitement in her flush hand of all spades, and Shikamaru stared at her wondering how soft they were.

        "I fold," he said, allowing himself the win. She whined.

        "Why do you always know when I have the best hand?" She said, throwing her cards down in frustration and reaching for her glass. "I had a flush on the first turn."

        "I like looking at you, that's why," he said simply as if it was that easy. Her ears perked up as she was finishing the rest of her drink.

        "If you keep looking at me that intensely, you'll fall in love before finishing this game." She smirked, putting down her glass elegantly, her ego fueled by liquid confidence.

        He rolled his eyes before chuckling, "Alright, last round so I can take the win. The score is 3-2 right now."

        After dealing the cards, she carefully takes a peek at her hand, seven hearts and nine hearts, giving her a hopeful chance for a straight flush. He looked at his hand, nine spades and nine diamonds, realizing he would have to depend on the board's luck to give him a four-of-a-kind.        

        They both checked, moving to deal the first three cards once more, five hearts, eight hearts, nine clubs. Shikamaru secured a three-of-a-kind, while (Y/N)'s heart fluttered that the next two cards could be a six of hearts, giving her a straight flush. 

        The turn card was the king of clubs, and (Y/N)'s breath hitched. She was praying for the last turn to be a six of hearts, putting all her luck into this final round.

        Shikamaru gazed at the woman in front of him, eyes scanning her up and down. Her hair cascaded down her shoulder, well-maintained and glossy. Her face was slightly flushed making her seem hot, literally and figuratively. She fidgeted with her necklace, playing with the pendant, and if his eyes went slightly more south, they would land on her-

        "'Check," she cut away his thoughts. With that hopeful look on her face, he knew that she was praying for her straight flush. What was unapparent to her was that he saw the six of hearts card on top of the deck while dealing, knowing if he checked as well, he would lose. This was his chance to fold and win the game, or check and end the game with a tie.

        She smiled at him, keeping eye contact waiting for his bet. He felt his blood rush to his head under her hypnotizing eye contact. 

        "Check," he called, falling for her mesmerizing eyes like she cast a spell.

        She turned the next card over, the six of hearts. Her eyes sparkled as they widened and her mouth fell open.

        "I won! With a straight flush!" She exclaimed, shooting up from her seat with her hands slammed on the table. She leaned in forward, poking a finger into his chest with each syllable. "You lost."

        Shikamaru smirked and grabbed her hand. "Actually, we're tied."

        She paused for a moment, before falling back into her seat. "I forgot."

        "That was the hardest game I've ever played, I didn't know you were so good at poker, Shikamaru! You're so smart," she complimented.

        "It's all luck and guessing," he said being humble. 

        She leaned in, with an upset pout, before flattering him again with a slight slur in her tone, "No really, you're very intelligent..."

        He almost shivered when he heard the way she sounded. Why does she sound so hot like that?

        "You're pretty clever yourself, ended in a tie, didn't we?" he said, even though, he definitely could have won every single round. 

        She thanked him while twirling a strand of her hair. Suddenly, a mischievous, kitten-like smile slowly appeared on her lips. She lowered her voice, "How about next time to break the tie, we play... strip poker?~"

        "W-What?" He asked, blushing deeply at her suggestion.

        "Relax, I was just kidding, unless... you wanted to?" She pretended to gasp. 

        He adverted his gaze away from her before replying, "If we did, you would be the one with all your clothes off, so be careful of what you're suggesting."

        "Confident, I like that." 

        Hearing her imitate him brought his gaze back to her. She was leaning forward, her behind pushed to the backrest of her seat, showing her arch. Her elbows were resting on the table, one hand under her chin, another on the glass, her finger circling the rim again, a habit she developed. She watched outside the window, looking into the dusk sky. He looked at what she was wearing, her usual black tank top and sweatpants, only to imagine how she would look under those clothes when she was losing in strip poker. And he definitely could imagine her face as she embarrassingly strips. 

        He regretted not agreeing to the game a little bit.

Chapter Text

        Finally, we arrived at Kirigakure. Unfortunately, there was barely any extra time before rehearsal and the concert since we arrived just the night before. Well, that was fine, Kiri didn't have much to offer other than rain and I'd rather not be outside if it did.

        Naruto invited all of us to hang out in his room. By now, we girls and the group were comfortable with each other having been traveling in a bus for hours. Even Gaara warmed up to Megan although he didn't have the best impression of her initially. 

        So that was where we're standing now, Megan and I in Naruto's hotel room with the rest of the guys casually talking. 

        "Are you always drawing on your eyeliner, Gaara? I have never seen you without it," Megan inquired.

        "It's permanent." 

        "Oh my fucking god, what?! Did it hurt?" 

        "No shit." Gaara rolled his eyes, obviously not that annoyed.

        I laughed at their conversation, glad that she wasn't dwelling too much on Kiba. There was a weird tension between them that most of us noticed but left unsaid. 

        Suddenly, Naruto sat next to me. "Are you having fun yet?"

        "Right now? Yeah, I am."

        "I meant do you regret joining us?"

        I looked at the others. "Not really, it's been fun. Thanks for picking us."

        Naruto chuckled, rubbing his head sheepishly, "Well, we picked you guys specifically for a reason..."

        "For what?" I asked him, raising an eyebrow. 

        He sighed. "Kiba picked you guys to join because we need someone capable enough to help us out at this party. It's going to be after the show."

        "So what do we have to do? Party?"

        "It's the opposite, it's more of a celebrity exclusive party with other actors, singers, the entire entertainment industry. People say it's for celebrities to mingle, but truly it's just business talk. Shikamaru and I are good at stuff like this, but the other three..." He inhaled sharply. "Don't have a good rep as of now."

        "What are we supposed to do?" I asked.

        "Make them look nicer, like more, uhm, like a gentleman? They won't take our word for it, but women are good at charming others, right?" He asked nervously, again rubbing the back of his head out of habit. "You guys charmed us, so it should be easy!"

        I sighed, feeling a heavy responsibility on my shoulders, "I guess we'll try."

        "Thanks, if you're getting nervous, just think about our deal," Naruto grinned, rubbing his thumb across his fingers reminding me about the money I'll get at the end of this.

        "It never left my mind, don't worry."

        "Weather's not looking so good..." I murmured to myself, looking up at the sky. The clouds were dark and hanging low. The atmosphere was humid with heavy mist to the point I could smell the air, predicting it might rain. Soon, my prediction was proved when a sudden droplet of water hit my nose. The sky sprinkled gently, delicately kissing the ground.

        Unluckily, the venue for this show was outdoors, and the overhang barely covered half the stage. The band decided to rehearse backstage and only test out the show production, lighting, and sound equipment. I admired the band as they practiced, focused on their instruments with a dedication to never leave the show disappointed.

        Suddenly, I had an itch for nicotine. It had been a while since I smoked being so distracted by the guys and Meg. I left the stage in an attempt to find a nice private area to light one up.

        I found myself in between two walls and decided this would work. I pulled a cigarette out and my lighter, placing it between my mouth and flicking to start it.

        "Fuck, the rain and wind are making this hard," I complained muffled by the cause of lung cancer in my mouth. Too late to quit, I already accepted the risk.

        My ears noticed a pair of footsteps come near to my right, and I glanced over to see the one and only Shikamaru. 

        "Yo. You feining too?" He asked me, pulling out his own pack.

        "Yeah..."

        "Follow me, there's an overhang here." I followed him for a couple of steps as he led us under a small tarp. I tried lighting my cigarette up again. 

        "Isn't hard to strike a lighter with those nails of yours?" He questioned.

        I sighed, "Yeah, but beauty is pain."

        He rolled his eyes at me, "What a drag, come here."

        He leaned towards my face with a cigarette resting between his lips, and with one in mine, he placed the two ends together. He reached for his engraved zippo lighter and lit both of them at the same time, cupping the flame as it blazed. The light illuminated his face, letting me see his features clearly, and it was also because he was inches away from my face.

        "Tryna be smooth with me, huh?" I teased, taking a puff.

        "I guess, been taking notes from you."

        "Can't match my level of suaveness though."

        He furrowed his eyebrows as he took a drag, blowing out the smoke to the side as he kept eye contact with me. "Are you underestimating me? Did you forget my role in the band?"

        "I did not forget, they're always teasing you about being the smart-mouth suave guy," I said, as I flicked the cherry off. "But you haven't shown me that yet."

        He scoffed, "Guess you don't know what you're talking about."

        "Am I the only one who hasn't seen that side of you? Oh my god, is it because of me?~" I joked playfully.

        He did not laugh. There was a silence between us as his gaze on me darkened. Maybe it was because the clouds passed over us.

        He then walked towards me with slow steps, backing me into the wall. My heart started beating anxiously, shocked by the sudden change in him. I breathed out, "Um, Shika?"

        He placed a hand on the wall by my head as he towered over me. "It is you."

        "I don't act like myself around you," he whispered in my ear. It clicked for me, knowing where this was going, and I decided I won't mind it.

        "Is that bad?" 

        "What do you think?" He pulled back to stare at my face, trying to read my expression. "If you think I'm so smart, then would you listen to me if I said this is a good thing?"

        With only one word, I set off the flame that was residing in him, "Yes."

        "Good."

        He cupped my cheek as he pulled the smoke from the cigarette into his mouth, before kissing me deeply, letting the nicotine run through my blood in this exchange. As I inhaled his exhale, I started feeling lightheaded from the smoke and the lack of oxygen as we made out, not giving me a break. 

        Even the way he kissed was somewhat lazy, his lips rolling with mine like they were going with the flow. His tongue teased my bottom lip and I parted them letting him feel up my tongue. Leisurely and shallowly, our tongues moved in sync as I matched his pace, his hands dropping to my waist.

        In the gentle rain and cloudy skies, we shared a lighter like our first meeting, the only new thing was a kiss. It was funny how we kept meeting like this, both of us straying away from the others for a taste of nicotine. I noticed that he flicked his cigarette away the longer we kissed, hearing a slight bounce on the floor as it slowly became soaked from the rain. But I couldn't let go of mine for some reason, feeling like it would be a waste. 

        As great as his lips felt, it wasn't enough for me to just let go of all distractions, and give him the same intensity back. I separated away from him, taking a quick puff.

        "This is... just for my role, right?" I asked him.

        He paused, then sighed deeply looking to the side. "Yeah." 

Chapter Text

It's so hard sometimes with a star,

—when you have to share him with everybody. 

        The next day the sky was heavier with an ominous hue, with multiple shades of grey. The clouds were thick making the atmosphere more humid than before. 

        I sighed, looking away from the sky and towards the band getting ready on the stage for the concert. They have been tense the entire day, along with the staff due to the weather. It was too late to reschedule now. The concern resided in their instruments, they were scared of damage from the water if it made its way to the inside of the soundboards and wiring. The string players switched out their favorite guitars for their backup, however Shikamaru and Kiba were stuck with their respective instruments.

        Beforehand, I watched as Shikamaru took charge of coming up with a solution to ensure the safety of the members and some equipment by changing the speakers' setup. Bluetooth speakers were facing the crowd, connected to the speakers that will be backstage so all the wiring between the instruments and equipment will avoid the rain. Luckily, there was barely any delay between the front and back speakers.

        As I watched him set up, I thought back to our encounter yesterday. I thought about it all day and night since it happened. It left me conflicted. I couldn't tell if I expected it. He was mature and intelligent, and even though he would always complain and act lazy, he would take action. Shit, he took action yesterday.

        But there was no connection when we kissed. The only things that sparked for me that day were the lighter and our cigarettes. I was glad it was just that.

        It was almost their last song when the rain started, moderately heavy with visible droplets to the human eye. Although this was our worst fear for today, we were thankful the show would end quickly after the song.

        Naruto grabbed the microphone with both hands, staying upbeat and positive, "You guys feel the rain?"

        The crowd cheered loudly, probably the loudest I heard today. 

        He grinned naughtily, in his best stage persona he always mustered for his fans, "That just means we're all in this together, you wanna be with us, right?"

        High-pitched voices squealed as if they were freaking out.

        "You ready to get soaked and get this party going? Let's fucking go!"

        The powerful strum of their rock guitars excited the fans when the song started. Maybe the rain was a blessing, as it could increase their popularity and fame. This could be their 'Prince Superbowl' moment. Nothing better than seeing your favs wet with slick back hair, I could already imagine how many edits they will get on social media. 

        I jammed along to the song, turning to Megan to enjoy it with her. She stared at Kiba, his hair messy from the rain and his red face paint smudged messily. Her eyes were narrow while scanning him, lips tightened into a thin line. There was a hint of jealousy in her eyes as she clenched her jaw. 

        I looked back up to look at Shikamaru, who was focused on the keys of his keyboard. When he had the chance, he took off his hair tie, letting his hair cascade down, causing fans to scream for him as this was a rare moment. 

        Yet, even when we had our moment yesterday, my eyes drifted to Sasuke. He was soaked from head to toe, his white undershirt clinging to his skin and I could see traces of his abdomen and chest. The rain made his biceps glisten, and his dark hair was hanging in damp strands, messy and untamed. During a short bass solo from Gaara, Sasuke combed his hair back with his hand allowing me to see his face unobstructed. I could see his eyes clearly, beautifully focused. His usual stoic face was replaced with passion, feeling the music with all of him. 

        He turned his head and caught me checking him out, and my breath hitched, feeling a strange sense of déjà vu to my first show in Konoha. He teased me with his infamous smirk letting me know I was caught in the act.

        The only one who could make me lose my composure was the worst I could have chosen.

Chapter Text

With your Louis V bag, tats on your arms, high-heel shoes make you six feet tall.

Everybody wants you, you can have them all.

But I got what you need.

        The two girls were stressed out getting ready for this celebrity-exclusive party as they were applying makeup and styling their hair. They knew it was going to be a bunch of rich, famous people mingling, so this was going to be very fancy. However, they were just two college students working minimum wage. Nearly everything they own was thrifted or straight from their local mall. 

        "Ugh, I have nothing that formal! Even if I did, I do not look the slightest professional girl ever!" Megan wailed as she slipped on her most tasteful and modest dress, a green halter dress, embellished with sequins with an earthy vibe. (Y/N) followed along with a simple black lacy dress she got at Windsor, sighing, feeling slightly insecure about her class and wealth. Man, I wish I didn't spend all my serving money and tips on drugs. 

        In the room next to them were the guys, all ready in a suit and tie of their choice. 

        "They're taking a while, should we check on them? I know there's no rush but-" Naruto began only to be interrupted.

        "I'll check!" Kiba jumped up, heading towards the door.

        Sasuke got up calmly, and as nonchalantly as ever, spoke, "Same, knowing (Y/N), she probably forgot to pack a dress."

        His response tickled the back of Naruto's mind. How do you know that? But he brushed it off.

        "If you say so then call Sai, he probably can get them something nice," Naruto said. Sai was part of the production team, having an artistic eye for everything whether it was styling, fashion, stage design, lighting, backgrounds, anything you could name.

        The two left, going to knock on their close neighbors' door.

        The two girls opened the door to see their respective friendly partners. (Y/N) spoke up, "Uhh, is this fine enough?"

        "Hmm... It's cute but it's missing something..." Kiba drifted off, allowing Sasuke to speak for him.

        "It's missing class, we'll get you new dresses. It shows your personality too much and this event is unfortunately a brag-off," Sasuke said bluntly.

        She rolled her eyes, nudging him with her elbow. "Alright, sugar daddy."

        Megan noticed the two blatantly flirting and winked at (Y/N) causing her to blush lightly. Sasuke pulled out his phone to contact Sai. 

        "Hey, get the girls dressed for the event."

        "So impolite, but fine. The ones that have been tagging along lately?" Sai answered. "Yes, I'll have a couple of options for them to try on."

        "Just pick one."

        "Can't do, we must find the perfect one that flatters them. Come, I need second opinions as well."

        The four were in Sai's room, the men were sitting on the couch impatiently waiting while the women were changing behind a divider set up by Sai. He had two clothing racks on wheels for each of them, displaying many dresses that he curated carefully from his small encounters with his subjects. 

        Sasuke nor Kiba knew much about Sai, he was Naruto's friend. They thought he was gay, considering his occupation and complete lack of interest in women. His room was an organized mess, with boxes of stage outfits for the band labeled neatly and many sketchbooks and journals sprawled on the desk included from the hotel. 

        Megan watched (Y/N) strip down to her undergarments with a devious expression that made (Y/N) feel suspicious.

        "What?" (Y/N) asked.

        "You wanna tease them?" Megan whispered.

        "Huh? What are you talking about?"

        Megan giggled like a naughty kid before exclaiming loudly, "Damn, (Y/N)! They look way bigger than the last time I saw you!"

        Sasuke's ears perked up as he inhaled sharply, pulling out his phone to scroll away the thoughts appearing in his head.

        (Y/N)'s face exploded in a bright red, shocked at Megan, and she said her revenge. "Me? You can't even get your ass in that dress!"

        Kiba heated up almost emitting steam from his face, easily picturing Megan's body from their escapade. He could vouch for that.

        "You ladies need help?" Sai asked, walking over to the divider, making the dirty-thinking men eye him jealously. The two girls also assumed he swung the other way and allowed him to zip up their dress.

        The girls stepped out in their dresses.

        "How do we look?" Megan asked.

        Kiba nodded in approval. "Great!"

        (Y/N) looked at Sasuke waiting for his response. "Alright."

        Sai gasped, "Alright?! Next one, we need to absolutely wow everyone when they step in the building."

        Like a cliche movie, they tried on three more dresses, trying to find the one that transformed them. Somewhere in the middle of the chaos, Sai coerced the girls to allow him to change their makeup and redo their hair, believing it 'wasn't right' for the event. Then after he was done, he shoved another pair of dresses in their arms, and they went back to change.

        "I think these are the ones, come out now!" Sai ordered.

        One last time, Megan and (Y/N) stepped out from the divider like it was the finale of the cliche.

        Kiba was starstruck by Megan. He always knew how to act around girls, to play the game, but this was something that he did not want to play. The feeling brewing in him was serious. With her blonde hair, the cream-colored gown revealed her natural beauty as if she were an angel, and he wanted to be in heaven. The v-cut showed just enough tastefully and the dress showed her silhouette. There were ruffles along the sides of the skirt with a flower sewn on the back of the dress with the same silk material. It was backless, with only thin crisscrossed straps marking her lean back, revealing her dainty lower back tattoo. He was unconsciously biting his lower lip, feeling nervous. 

        "Ahh, I feel so strange looking at myself in the mirror. I look so, well, classy!" Meg exclaimed, weaving her fingers through her hair that was styled into a 90's blowout. 

        Kiba wasn't the only one speechless. Sasuke stared at the girl in front of him, his body frozen from the sight. The way her dress hugged her waist, hips, thighs, her entire body left him in a breathless longing. The dress was the color of an emperor butterfly, wrapped in black tulle that pinched at her waist. The sweetheart neckline flattered her chest, exposing her collarbones and neck, and he couldn't help but wish he could mark it. The skirt draped down to the floor, and as she walked it followed along. There was an aura of mystery around her, with mystère being the best way to charm a snake and he was a cobra. He was used to seeing what she usually wore, comfy or alternative clothes, but he could get used to this new her.

        '"How do you feel?" He asked her. 

        "I... really love it actually," she said, smiling softly at herself in the mirror. "What do you think?"

        "You look... you look pretty." He refrained from saying his usual 'I guess'. He needed to compliment her with confidence.

        She faintly blushed, flustered by his genuine compliment. "Thank you."

        He quickly gained his cocky composure after seeing her reaction, smirking to himself. "You'll look better next to me so stay right by side when we get there, okay?"

        She gave him an incredulous side-eye. "Way to ruin the moment."

        If younger (Y/N) was told she was going to be in a limo with a rock band on the way to a celebrity-exclusive party wearing a $3,000 dress, she would call bullshit. But it was real. 

        Here she was with her best friend in this luxury limousine with five men she hadn't known for long. Her heart felt like it was beating out of her chest, honestly, she was so anxious she might throw up. The only thing preventing her was if she did, she might die out of embarrassment. 

        Megan pulled her in for a selfie, seemingly not feeling any sort of worry or jitters. "Smile!" (Y/N) smiled as naturally as she could. 

        As Megan pulled away from her, Sasuke sensed the tension (Y/N) was undergoing. He opened the cooler that was installed in the limo, grabbed a champagne glass, and poured something light for her.

        "Something light for the nerves," he said while passing the drink. She accepted readily.

        "Thank you."

        "Why are you so nervous?"

        "I'm going to be an imposter in there, we are broke college students who haven't made a name for ourselves in a sea of famous people," she worried, easily finishing her glass. Champagne was only 12% alcohol content, she'd be fine.

        He scoffed, "There are no names like you there too. If you see someone you never heard of, assume that."

        "Rude, but I guess that's good advice."

        It wasn't just imposter syndrome that made her stressed, however. Just a few minutes ago, Naruto assigned the ladies their roles in this party. Sasuke and Kiba were both involved in scandals that have made it difficult for them to have collaborations with others, which meant fewer opportunities, which meant less money to be made. Of course, the scandal Kiba had was that he cheated on a rumored girlfriend when he did not even have a girlfriend. Sasuke, unfortunately, was caught physically pushing a fangirl, when she was a stalker. Both incidents had photographs that were taken out of context.

        It was her and Megan's job to better their relations with other celebrities who also followed the tabloids, with Megan being Kiba's plus one and (Y/N) being Sasuke's. In her mind, Megan had it easier, Kiba is great around people, so she might not have to do much talking. But with Sasuke?

        She internally groaned, feeling the limo slowly brake at their destination. The chauffeur opened the door, Naruto, Gaara, and Shikamaru stepping out first. She heard cameras shutter at lightning speed.

        "Fuck, there's paparazzi?" She asked, apprehensively. 

        Sasuke sighed, letting Kiba and Megan ahead. "Don't stress too much about them, this event allowed celebrities to bring a plus one per person, so most are going to assume you're family or friend."

        "I doubt that..." She muttered, watching Sasuke step out of the vehicle. He offered her a hand to help her down. 

        "Hurry up, pussy," he urged quietly.

        She took his hand, carefully stepping out while holding her dress. "Fuck off." 

        The venue was fancy. That was an understatement. It was grand, with marbled columns holding up the tall ceiling, and red rose bouquets as ornaments around some tables and the walls. Multiple chandeliers were hanging from the ceiling with one monumental one swinging above the main floor of the room, a circular mosaic art as flooring. It was warmly lit, adding to the elegant romantic aesthetic.

        She recognized many public figures from media, intensifying her anxiety. 

        "Take my arm." Sasuke held out his elbow, signaling her to grab on. He then interlaced his fingers with hers, bringing her hand to his chest. Now, she was nervous for two reasons. 

        "Stop sweating, I can feel your clammy hands," he teased. 

        "I'm sorry! I just feel so out of place right now!" she whispered loudly. 

        He glanced down at her while she scanned the building fidgeting with her hair. She was unknowingly clenching on his hand, but in a way, it did soothe her anxiety. "Remember my advice."

        "That would be comforting if it weren't for everyone staring at you."

        "Get used to it." 

        A server crossed paths with Sasuke, holding a tray of some fancy martinis. He swiped two before the server left, handing one to the nervous wreck next to him. "Here, loosen up more. Not too much, though."

        "Shut up," she whined. "If you keep passing me drinks, that's your fault."

        He smirked, knowing exactly what he was doing. "I'm only teasing, but I do like it when you're tipsy."

        "Why?"

        "You're a flirty drunk."

        "Ugh, do you want to make me sweat more?"

        He chortled, before looking down at her once more. For some reason, his eyes kept falling to see her face. All he could notice were all of her details, she had coffin-shaped nails painted with a simple French tip, and her usual dark eye makeup was replaced with a light glimmer and mascara, brightening her irises, even how her plump lips were coated with a sheer pink gloss and slightly parted in a natural pout.

        The usual her that was cocky, mysterious, and cool was all shy and nervous, clinging to his arm. The feeling of her soft smaller hand felt delicate enveloped in his and he realized he hadn't had much physical contact with her. He thought to himself that perhaps he should get more touchy with her, for the challenge, of course.

        "Hey, Sasuke, do you kn- Oh, sh-," (Y/N) stopped herself from swearing, knowing she had to be graceful, although spilling her drink all over her chest wasn't exactly ladylike. Someone had bumped into her the moment she turned to look at him. Couldn't save her this time.

        "I'M SO SORRY!" The stranger apologized. She glanced up to see the one and only Rock Lee right in front of her. Holy shit, a famous martial arts actor was apologizing to her. She quickly recognized him considering the fact he starred in 'Fists of Fate' with Neji Hyuga, winning Best Action Film at the Kage Awards Ceremony. He was a fan favorite and well-loved by everyone. 

        He quickly pulled a handkerchief out of his front pocket and reached out to wipe her chest with great speed, before Sasuke shot his hand up between them. "She can clean herself up."

        Lee apologized once more, handing her his handkerchief.

        "It was my fault, I should have looked at where I was going," she said while wiping herself up.

        "No, I'm ashamed I got a beautiful woman like you dirtied by my clumsiness." Lee glanced at Sasuke with a fake smile. "I always take accountability."

        He took her hand gently lifting it towards his lips, before planting a soft kiss on the back of her hand. Sasuke glared at the man, upset at the scene that played in front of him. She felt the tension between the two glaring at each other like there was a lightning strike between their eyes. This is bad, she needed to get out of this somehow. 

        "It's okay! Sasuke was the one who bought me this dress, I'm sure he could treat me to another one if it's damaged," she reassured, clinging his arm tighter and tilting her head to lean on his shoulder. "He's always been sweet to me."

        "Really?" Lee's glare softened, but not completely gone. "I heard you played at the Mist Mirage Amphitheater when it rained. I must say that is impressive."

        Sasuke eased his face and tried to relax his tone before he replied, "Thank you. I heard the movie you starred in is having a sequel. Guess the first one really caught everybody's eyes."

        (Y/N) cringed internally at his terrible response. What the hell do you mean 'guess', it won an award for fuck's sake.

        "Mhm!" She butted in. "I watched it, it was amazing! Did you actually do all the stunts yourself?"

        Lee grinned, "Why yes, of course!"

        "Wow, I'm impressed, some of the stunts look painful."

        "Well, I'm professionally trained so you do not have to worry." He flexed his biceps causing her to laugh. "It's easy if you're strong."

        Surprisingly, the usual stoic Sasuke was having a hard time keeping a neutral, blank facial expression for his eyebrows were furrowed, eyes narrowed, and jaw clenched. He did not like this random man trying to impress her and he hoped it wasn't working on her.

        Lucky for him, all she was doing was conjuring up the right words to reply to his flirty attempts, hoping she sounded professional and polite like she was media-trained. Then Naruto's voice rang in her ears, and she realized she had the perfect opportunity. 

        "You know, I was thinking for your sequel, some of Desert Rose's songs would be great background music. You should hit our leader, Naruto, up if you want to include them in the soundtrack!" She quickly pulled out her phone before he could decline. "They could write something up for you too!"

        Lee glanced at Sasuke who had a blank face, his lips pulled into a thin line, and his eyes were only slightly widened in surprise. 

        "I could talk to the crew about it, your guys' sound fits action movies," Lee said, adding Naruto into his contacts. Suddenly, a voice called out for him behind her, and she looked back to see the Neji Hyuga. "I should get back to them now, it was great meeting you guys."

        He smiled at her. "Goodbye, gorgeous."

        While she was recovering from the interaction, Lee started heading back to his fellow co-star before pausing to whisper to Sasuke, "The rest of the industry isn't all that nice, Uchiha. But I trust you."

        Sasuke hid his shock as Lee strode pass him. How did his last name get around the industry? I guess it was going to happen soon, especially within the industry.

        "The power of this dress makes me feel like Princess Diana making negotiations..." (Y/N) said, distracting him from his thoughts. "You're welcome, by the way. I just saved your ass."

        "Thank you," He chuckled, taking her hand and bringing it to his lips. His eyes flickered to hers as he pressed his lips to the back of her hand with tenderness, letting it linger against her skin. "Princess."

        She turned her head away sharply, her cheeks a delicate pink, pretending to cringe, "Okay, you're doing way too much now."

        He scoffed playfully, "For the rest of the night, you do the talking then. My only job is to look like a gentleman to you."

        "Aren't you supposed to be trained for this?" She emphasized.

        "Maybe, but you gotta work for that $10k, right?" 

        Sigh...

Chapter Text

Girl, I got your bag, I got it all

Hold your drink, baby, don't you fall

Be there in a minute, baby, just one call

You don't gotta ask me.

        It has been two days since the party before we found ourselves back on the bus to Otogakure. About eight out of twenty hours left of this drive, my mind has been rewinding to the events that happened that day like a broken record, but no, my memory wasn't about the party with all those other celebrities, it was stuck on Sasuke. I couldn't stop smiling to myself thinking back on what happened after we left, biting my bottom was a futile attempt to hide my grin. 

A FEW HOURS AFTER THE PARTY

        I didn't take the tasty expensive drinks for granted today. There were many options the servers offered with high-quality alcohol, that were aged for some time. 

        I also didn't take Sasuke's chivalry for granted. The moment he said he would treat me like a gentleman, I ordered him around like he was my servant. 'Sasuke, can you get me a drink?' 'Hey, my shoe strap came undone, could you fix it?' And my favorite of all was 'Would you be so kind as to hold my purse for me, Sasuke?'

        And he listened, with no complaints besides an eye-roll or two. Seeing him hold a ladies' purse with his scowl and a hint of pink on his cheeks was very entertaining. Cute. 

        Soon enough, the event ended. We were the last to leave since he and I stayed at the bar until it passed the lawful hours of sale of alcohol which was two a.m. Just the two of us sharing drinks, ranting about the day, gossiping about other celebrities. By then, the bartender asked us to leave because they had to close. 

        I was tipsy by then, feeling the alcohol warm me up from the cold air outside like a liquid blanket, walking out teetering until we reached the stairs down. He started making his way down the steps, leaving me at the top, until I had sly smile crept up on my face.

        I sighed exaggeratedly and loudly. "My feet hurt from these heels..."

        He looked back with a deadpan expression. "If you want me to carry you down the stairs, then just say it."

        "Can you carry me down, please? With a cherry on top?"

        "No."

        "Gasp, you fooled me!" I pouted, feigning hurt.

        He groaned before walking back up, sweeping me off my feet in one quick motion, carrying me bridal style as he walked back down.

        "Wow, I didn't think you would actually do it now that we can drop the act. No one's around."

        "Hn, whatever. You're light anyways."

        "Don't drop me then."

        "Don't make me think about it, princess."

        There were many steps before we reached the bottom of the stairs. His chest was warm, and he had a firm grip on me. I genuinely did feel like a princess. 

        I looked up at his face, barely seeing any hint of intoxication. "Do you ever get drunk?"

        "Yeah."

        "What type of drunk are you?" I asked. He inhaled sharply.

        "Probably a hor-, friendly drunk. That's what the guys say."

        "No way... I wanna see that!"

        He glanced down at me, "Why? I don't need to be drunk to be nice to you, like the entirety of today."

        "Hmm, I guess. I just want to see you with lowered inhibitions. Most of the time, you're a brick wall," I teased, giggling to myself. 

        By now, we reached the bottom of the stairs, but he did not make a move or sound. I was getting worried that he was going to drop me as a joke. "Um, Sasuke? You can put me down now."

        He was silent as if he was paused. Out of the blue, he abruptly sat me down on the ledge at the end of the railing, spreading my legs with his body as he stood in between them. A hand was on the small of my back pulling me into him, chest-to-chest, and the other hand cupping my cheek, fingers tangled in my hair.

        "You wouldn't want me to lower my inhibitions, especially with you around." He stepped in closer, the height of the ledge I was sitting on aligned my groin with his. My cheeks were flushed to the point where I knew I was red, and I begged it was just the alcohol fully kicking into my system. 

        "W-why not around me?" I stuttered.

        "Because I easily take what I want..." He whispered in my ear, grazing my neck with his lips as he lowered down, "and I won't be as gentle..."

        He brushed the softest kiss on my sweet spot. "As this."

        "Could you surely handle that?" 

        His husky voice rang in my ear, sending shivers down my spine. My heartbeat quickened, drumming in my ear, the blood rushing through my veins making me feel lightheaded. My stomach was feeling two things, butterflies fluttering like a cliche romance novel, and a bubbling arousal that was brewing stronger the more I felt his crotch against mine. I could feel it.

        I knew he could tell what I was feeling, it was so fucking hard to stop quivering in his touch. My mind blanked trying to come up with something clever to say. Come on, (Y/N), bring out the flirty drunk in you!

        With the strength and confidence I had, I ran my hands up his neck, letting my fingertips guide me to his hair. "Are you saying you want me?"

        "Yes, I want you."

        The lack of hesitation in his reply turned me into a frozen statue, but I was melting all over. With his thumb and index finger, he tilted my chin up to face him, slowly leaning closer, closer, feeling his warm breath. I closed my eyes.

        I felt nothing.

        I opened my eyes, to see him pull away.

        "But I don't lose," he said, suddenly bringing me down from the ledge. My feet touched the floor.

        "C'mon, let's go."

        Two days. Two days since then. He has acted like nothing happened. My conversations with him have been extremely normal, maybe even too normal. Our usual flirting, banter, teasing... stopped. Like we were just friends. Well, we were only just friends, but he had a sickening fake smile while being friendly towards me, it was making me crazy.

        Even right now, when the group was having fun downstairs on the bus, laughing and yelling and playing some video game, I was in my sleeping pod trying to suppress my sexual frustrations. 

        Maybe it was only because I haven't slept with anyone lately for me to be this fucking horny. Maybe it wasn't him I needed, I just needed to get laid. Yeah, that made more sense. Of course, any man could tease me until I get the female version of 'blue balls.'

        "Fuck, I need a distraction..." I said to myself, climbing down from my bed. I have to get him out of my head, I'll join them downstairs.

        When I finally made it down from my bunk, I saw Gaara at the end of the room. I never noticed there was a bench towards the front of the bus on this floor. He was reading some philosophy book, with a bottle of whiskey and glass on the tray that extended from the bus's interior. It was the perfect area to journal, read, or look at the view, the window similar to the driver's front windshield.

        I changed my mind. What's a better distraction from a man than another man?

Chapter Text

THIRD PERSON

        "I didn't notice you there," (Y/N) said.

        "I thought you were asleep," Gaara replied, still having his nose between the pages of his book. The group downstairs suddenly cheered or argued loudly, most likely playing a competitive video game.

        "Avoiding the party?" She asked.

        "Mhm." He finally glanced up at the figure near him, maybe a little bit too long. "You here to keep me company or are you just going to stand there?"

        She giggled to herself. "If you really want me to, I guess I'll stay."

        A small tug pulled at one corner of his lips from her imitating reply. As she sat down next to him, he took her in completely. Her hair wasn't completely messy, but definitely not brushed, and her black tank top hugged her chest where he noticed she wasn't wearing a bra. He watched her shorts ride up her thighs when she sat down. 

        "Needed a distraction anyways," she added unintentionally while getting comfortable.

        "Distract you from what?"

        She froze for a second realizing what she said. "Well, you know, the noise. I heard enough screaming these past days."

        "I'm warning you, by the way, I'm not the best company compared to them," he said, causing her to scoff sarcastically.

        "Don't say that, you're more interesting than you think." She eyed the bottle of Jack he had on the tray wondering if it would be rude to ask for a drink, but her unsaid request was fulfilled when Gaara offered his single glass. "You know me so well already."

        But of course, everyone knew about flirty drunk (Y/N) by now and Gaara wanted his turn.

        What was supposed to be a glass of Jack to sip on casually and slowly turned out to be a good five and a half gulps for her. The world was tilting as well as her head, but barely and yet, the world was in her hands, or it felt like it. 

        The conversation got a lot more fun, and lucky for her, the more she stared at Gaara, the more she forgot about Sasuke, and that was all thanks to her impulsive tongue moving before thinking, charm over logic.

        "You have your own charm, though. At least, in my opinion." She smiled, easily keeping eye contact with the redhead.

        "What's my charm then?" 

        "Well, did your weeb sister ever explain to you what 'gap moe' is? Because that's exactly what you are," she answered. "You're so cool and serious on stage, but in reality, you're just a cute, polite guy."

        "Cute?" He raised an eyebrow. "I guess that's a thing girls like, huh?"

        "Duh, yeah. I do like that."

        He exhaled sharply with a small smirk on his face that didn't go unnoticed by her. She knew exactly how to get any reaction she wanted. These past two weeks gave her more and more experience. 

        Gaara crossed his arms, leaning into the backrest. "You're different too."

        "You said that already when we first talked."

        "I know, but you also have..." He paused, taking in the sight of her again, "a charm to you."

        "Well, what is it?"

        "I'm keeping it to myself."

        "A man full of secrets, aren't you," she said. She stretched her arms up in the air before changing her position to sit against the wall with her legs kicked up across the length of the bench, purposely straightening her legs on his lap. His breath hitched inaudibly when her calves rested on his thighs, biting his bottom lip as he scanned up her legs, eyes lingering on her thighs. 

        "You got all these tats and piercings, but you're so awkward with women," she teased, attempting to set off a fuse. "Do you even get turned on?"

        Now he is. "I'm still a man, you know? It's just I can control myself."

        "Really? You seem untouchable on and off stage." She motioned him to pass her the glass. "But for different reasons."

        "Is that so bad?"

        "Maybe, a little bad for me," she said. "I'm not the type to chase."

        "So you're asking me to chase you instead?"

        "Hmm, maybe." She took a sip, looking up at him through her lashes. He tensed under her playful, feigned innocent gaze, admiring the sight of how assertive she looked with her legs stretched out. For once, it was hard for Gaara to keep his composure. 

        "You're acting pretty confident."

        "You could say that, but the idea of a rough and tough guy desiring me is most girls' fantasies. A cliche 'bad boy, good girl' romance novel."

        "Your fantasy is much closer than you think, only I don't think you're a 'good girl.'" he hinted. She smirked, enjoying his amorous replies. 

        "Oh really?" She slid her foot up to his inner thigh. "I guess I'm just patiently waiting until you lose control, like a good girl..."

        He grabbed her ankle before she could go any further, wanting to hold out on her teasing. "You're going to need a lot of patience then." 

        Truthfully, he couldn't wait, not when she knew exactly how to push a guy's buttons. Compared to Megan who flirted outwardly, like a cat catching a mouse, (Y/N) pulled men in wanting more, like she was the catch baiting them with sweet talk with no intentions.

        "Maybe I need to push your limit then." 

        It was instinct when his hand loosened up on her ankle before slowly trailing up her shin, to her knee, and landing on her thigh. He softly squeezed, toying with her in response to her relentless teases. "I don't think you know what you're getting into."

       "I know exactly what I'm doing." She licked her teeth smugly, her eyes sparking his jewel-green eyes, exciting him. "That makes it all the more surprising. doesn't it?"

Chapter Text

        "Oh, wow..." Megan tilted her head up at a full 90-degree angle, examining the very top of the hotel we were staying in. "Is Oto filled with only skyscrapers?"

        "People are living very different lives than us here," I said, looking down the street of tightly packed mixed-use buildings. The city was dense, and when I said that Suna was the city that never sleeps, I lied. Oto was constantly bustling, no matter which part of the city. I was so used to suburban homes that to think that people live around here was mind-opening.

        Otogakure was one of the oldest cities with Beaux-Arts and Art Deco architecture mixed in with glass skyscrapers and contemporary structures. And with how the people passing by dressed, it was most definitely the fashion capital of the country. 

        "To be honest, it's our first time here, too!" Naruto exclaimed excitedly, grabbing his prized guitar from the bus. The bellboy who stood diligently in front of our hotel quickly came to grab our luggage with his trolley. "We're pretty early and got a few extra days here. I say about six days before rehearsal?"

        "Phew, that's good because as much as I want to explore the city, the drive got me beat," Shikamaru said, walking toward the golden-accented entrance. "Let's get checked in and chill, please."

        We walked in, and the boys checked in for us while Megan and I gushed over how crazy nice the interior was. Gaara approached us, handing us two keycards for our hotel room. "Here, one for each of you."

        His hand grazed mine a little longer than what was normal as his sea-foam eyes bore into mine with heavy lids. Then he turned, walking away, motioning with a nudge of his head that he was heading for the elevators with everyone else.

        "Um, I saw that correctly, right?" Megan whispered as we started grouping up. I gave a small nod; a small dose of excitement was brewing in my chest. "Oh my- are you gonna fuck him?"

        "Woah, getting way ahead of yourself," I said. "He's cute, but I don't know..."

        "Ohh, it's because you want Sasuke, right?" Megan winked, and I quickly turned red. "I knew it, something must have happened because you've been-"

        "Shut up, we're at the elevators."

        The five men were already inside, with Naruto keeping the door open for us. We stepped in, trying to cram seven people and two guitars in a small lift. Oto had tall buildings, not wide. 

        As the elevator slowly made its way up 50 floors, the group talked amongst themselves about mundane things like what they were looking forward to, the city views, where they should go, when to go explore the nightlife, et cetera. Kiba, who was in front of me, took a step back, causing me to step back for space only to feel another body behind me instead of the wall.

        "Getting close and comfortable, are we?" A deep, husky voice I could only recognize as Gaara whispered in my ear. For some reason, I don't back away. 

        "I'm sure you don't mind."

        "Then..." His firm hand found my left hip, pulling me in closer. "You don't mind this, too?"

        Megan, I thought, you're right. I should have some fun too.

        I pressed into his groin with my behind, feeling up on him. "I feel even more comfortable now."

        He slowly lifted the hem of my shirt before slipping his hand under, only resting it on my stomach. His gentle fingertips pressed into my skin, and the hairs on my skin raised under his command. It felt like time froze, and my eyes drifted up to the LED screen that displayed what floor we had reached so far to check if time did freeze.

        Time didn't freeze, but my heart stopped again. We were on the 45th floor, but right under the screen was Sasuke with his eyes narrowed, staring straight at me. No, he wasn't looking at me; he was staring at Gaara's hand. Luckily, I only saw him in my peripheral, so we hadn't made eye contact. He pursed his lips inward like he was annoyed or irritated. How long had he been watching? Do I stare back?

        Wait, is he jealous? 

        It was like a revelation constructed in my mind when I realized there was only one reason he kept his eyes on me. If Sasuke's so competitive about this 'game' that he won't give in to me, maybe making him jealous will work. That was the type of guy Sasuke was. Sure, he's stubborn, but he was more selfish than stubborn.

        I bit my lip, diverting my gaze to look up to Gaara. With his jade eyes fixated on mine, I gave him a suggestive wink, knowing that Sasuke was watching. Either man, I'll be satisfied.

        Before I could see Gaara or Sasuke's reaction, the elevator dinged, and everyone poured out when the doors opened. Megan grabbed my arm, walking out with me to our room with her head turned back to wave goodbye to everybody. Before we could get to our door, Kiba called out to us. 

        "Hey, are you guys going to do anything tonight?"

        Megan shook her head. "Um, probably not. I'm jet-lagged. Road-lagged? I don't know!"

        "Same, that drive killed me," I added. Naruto made his way over to us. 

        "Well, if you guys are not too tired, come join us later. We're going to chill in my room and have a couple of light drinks, play games, or just talk," Naruto offered. 

        "Totally! What about you?" Megan asked me.

        I shrugged. "Sure!"

THIRD PERSON

        After slipping on a flowy black skirt and an off-the-shoulder t-shirt, (Y/N) went to the band's room with her best friend. She learned to enjoy their company genuinely these past almost two weeks having to be in forced proximity with them. There was no reason to complain about being around five attractive, hot musicians.

         Naruto answered the door, inviting the girls in. There was music playing on a small speaker; of course, music was what they lived for. In the living space, Kiba had set up a beer pong game on the table, assumingly waiting for Naruto for his turn. The lights were dimmed, creating a casual environment. 

        "Make yourself comfortable, drinks are in the fridge."

        She opened the fridge door. "Oh shit, you guys got soju?" 

        "Yeah, there should be some Calpico in the back if you want to mix something up," Shikamaru piqued from the couch, his eyes on his phone, deciphering his next move on online chess.

        Megan beamed, "(Y/N), pour me too, pretty please!"

        She began making two fruity drinks for her and her friend, but not long after feeling Sasuke's presence. Somehow, she just knew it was him, only knowing him for two weeks. 

        "Make me one too," he said. 

        "I thought you hated sweet, fruity drinks." She ignored his figure, eyes focused on the soju pouring out into the cup. She reached for the cap of the mixer, attempting to twist it open before he pried it out of her hands to swiftly open the bottle for her. "Thanks..."

        "You're welcome." He grabbed a cup. "I do hate it."

        She opened her mouth to reply, instinctively wanting to banter with him before remembering her plan. She stayed silent, readily pouring him his drink and then walking off to hand Megan hers.

        After a round of beer pong with Kiba, Megan, and Naruto, then conversing with Gaara and Shikamaru, (Y/N) wanted to believe that she would be able to hold out with this plan. Honestly, she didn't want to call it a plan, it wasn't like Megan's 'plan' to get with Kiba. It was just how it should be. If Sasuke wanted to play these games, she would soon get bored of him. Hopefully.

        "Yo, guys, I'm bored," Kiba said, interrupting her thoughts. "Since we know each other a lot better, let's get even more comfortable."

        Shikamaru raised an eyebrow. "And how are we going to do that?"

        Kiba smirked, "Let's play seven minutes in heaven!"

        (Y/N) twitched at Kiba's suggestion, a chill running down her spine before she recollected herself again. Her mind was racing with possible scenarios with each member of the band. She had kissed Shikamaru once, Gaara was shooting his shot, and Sasuke. What was she going to do if she got Sasuke?

        "There's only two girls and five of us; how are we going to do that?" Naruto asked. She thanked him in her head, hoping to avoid the game. 

        "That's fine. Only two of us will be lucky then."

        "If they want to, I'm okay with it," Gaara said. Shikamaru sighed, saying his usual catchphrase, 'what a drag', but that meant he agreed.

        Sasuke nodded along. "Same."

        She looked at her friend, who was already smiling at her so innocently evil, knowing that if Megan agreed, (Y/N) wouldn't be able to say no. Megan's eyes answered before her mouth could, sending (Y/N) a message that said, 'Go get him, girl.'

        "Let's do it!" She delightfully answered. Everyone turned their heads towards (Y/N), and with all eyes on her, she felt weak and succumbed to the pressure.

        "Alright..."

        Everyone headed to the bedroom, where there was a small walk-in closet. The hotel had a complimentary notepad and pen that they decided to use to write the men's names without the women seeing, folding the note in half so the names were not visible. Naruto collected them in his hand, turning to Megan, who was picking first. 

        "Pick a note, any note," he said, the five notes in his hand all crinkled up. She wasn't sure who she wanted to get. Her growing feelings for Kiba made her nervous around him, something unfamiliar to her. Her hand slowly reached and picked a note off Naruto's palm, then she slowly unwrinkled it in anticipation. 

        Kiba prayed it would be him; it was the only reason he had suggested the game in the first place. He wanted to talk to her and maybe have it go further, but mostly, he realized they hadn't had time together recently.

        "I got Naruto..." Megan revealed, not sure if she was relieved or disappointed. 

        "Oh, cool! Let's get the timer then," Naruto said while taking Megan's hand politely, leading her to the closet door. "After you."

        The timer started, and Kiba's face dropped. Well, there's no way the two of them would do anything, right? God, he hoped so.

        For the first two minutes, the group stayed near the door to the closet, attempting to eavesdrop before getting bored and heading back to the living room. Kiba reluctantly followed along to seem like he didn't regret suggesting this. 

        (Y/N) made herself another drink to kill time while wondering if Megan and Naruto would do anything in there. Megan did say she liked Kiba, but Naruto was her close second as a fan. 

        "Who do you want to get?" Sasuke asked, appearing out of thin air and interrupting her thoughts. She frowned. 

        "Why do you want to know?" 

        "Curious, that's all."

        She turned around to face him, leaning on the counter with her drink in her hand. "Anybody is fine with me."

        "Really?" He leaned closer to her, and her heart betrayed her by beating fast. He hadn't been this close to her since the party. "I'm sure you prefer one of us more than the other..."

        She shrugged, acting as if she didn't have her choice right in front of her. She smirked. "Are you hoping it's you?" 

        "Who wouldn't?"

        His response made her internally squeal, and she sipped her drink to hide her face. Suddenly, he was back to flirting with her, and she wondered if it had to do with him being jealous. She turned her head to look at Gaara who was chatting with Shikamaru on the couch before replying cockily, "You're right, who wouldn't."

        He turned his head in the same direction to see what, or really, who she was looking at. Again, he was irked to realize she was looking at his two bandmates while saying her reply, the same feeling he had while watching her and Gaara in the elevator. He wondered when the two of them got so close to that point, and the more he wondered, the more annoyed he was. 

        "Did you want another drink or..." (Y/N) moved aside, heading to the couch. "Help yourself."

        He rolled his eyes to himself as he grabbed the bottle and waterfalled the disgustingly sweet soju. He hoped to god she picked his name; he could make her give up to him if he had the chance. But there was a nudging part of him that wanted to give up first ever since he teased her after the party. He almost folded, seeing her breathing heavily and staggering, and the slightest sigh she released when he kissed her neck urged him to keep going further. It was a miracle he was able to stop.

        Ring! The timer went off, and Kiba was the first to step into the bedroom. "Time's up! Get out of there!"

        Megan and Naruto opened the door to reveal themselves. Their hair was disheveled, and Naruto's jacket was slightly unzipped, lower than it had been before. Megan's expression was an expression of worry as she walked out, and Naruto seemed the same. 

        Kiba noticed it quickly, feeling sad. There was no way his worries about her character were right. There was no way she didn't have the slightest feelings for him. Jealousy brewed deep in his chest as he stared at Naruto, feeling suddenly territorial. He had to win her back.

        "Y'all had fun in there?" Shikamaru asked Naruto. 

        "Yeah, got to know each other better, y'know?" He replied with a smile. Megan quietly sat on the bed next to her friend. 

        (Y/N) turned to whisper to her, "Did you guys actually do anything?" Megan shook her head no.

        Naruto approached (Y/N) with the remaining four folded-up notes in his hand. "Your turn!"

        (Y/N)'s mind was racing with scenarios for each person she could choose, wondering what she should do with each choice. Her hand hovered over each note as she hesitated to pick before grabbing the bottom left one. She unfolded the paper, reading the name.

        "I... got Gaara."

        Silence filled the room for a good couple of seconds before Gaara stood up from the edge of the bed and walked toward the closet. With anxiety and excitement, she followed. 

        "Have fun, you two!" Naruto beamed before closing the door, surrounding them in darkness.

Chapter Text

         Neither of us spoke. We were standing chest to chest in this four-by-four feet of space, the gaps filled with anticipation. The only light source was coming from the crack of the door, and as my eyes adjusted to the dark, his piercing jade-green eyes stared at me with an unreadable expression. 

        “You think they left the bedroom yet?” I asked him, breaking the tension.

        “Probably, they aren’t expecting anything out of us.” He peeked through the crack.

        We waited until we heard them go back into the living room with Naruto’s loud voice cheering at his perfect throw in cup pong. 

        Being sure no one was eavesdropping anymore, I turned back to Gaara to read his expression. Unreadable, of course, even though we were only a few inches away from each other. Were the other two this close as well? 

        The silence was killing me. With all the tension between us lately, I wasn’t prepared for this to be so soon. I don’t think I drank enough for this either. I swallowed nervously. “So…”

        “Hm?”

        “Didn’t think you would want to participate in this.”

        “Why not?” He tilted his head questioningly, his eyes boring down into mine.

        I kept my eyes on his, looking up at them unwillingly due to the position we were in. “Well, you’re the type to think this is childish.”

        “You’re right,” he said. A faint smile crept his lips. “But I get why people play these childish games now.”

        I furrowed my brows, confused by what he meant. Gaara slowly took a step forward, pressing our bodies together. I could not see his face anymore, as mine were buried in his chest. His scent was warm and earthy, and it reminded me of a sunset. Maybe it was me who was warm from the drinks.  

        “You played these stupid games before in high school, didn’t you?” His hand lifted above my hip and each finger pressed into my flesh lightly. “Something like this, or spin the bottle?”

        My breath hitched as he felt up on my waist, making it hard for me to reply. “U-um, yeah..”

        “And did you only join if your little crush played too? Praying on probability for it landing on him?”

        I chuckled as confidently as I could, attempting to tease him too. “Oh, so you’re saying I’m your little crush right now? That’s cute, I didn’t know you get crushes, Gaara.”

        He pulled back to look me dead in my face. “This isn’t a crush though. We aren’t in high school anymore.”

        Suddenly, he pushed up against me, my back hitting the wall. His hand crept up around my neck, his thumb rubbing my cheek. The same hand wrapped around my throat gently squeezing as he leaned down, planting a teasingly haughty soft kiss on my lips. I exhaled shakily. “Gaara…”

        His grip tightened slightly, reacting to his name on my lips. His breathing was equally heavy as mine, as if he was fighting back. “You want to see my ‘bad side’, right?” 

        “If you let me, I get seven minutes to do what I want with you. And I bet men would kill to be in my shoes right now. I understand them.”

        With the heat as well as my pent up frustrations clouding my head, I grew warm with his words and his touch, feeling sure that this was right. “Then you better start because times a-tickin’ right now…” 

        “Can you handle it?” He whispered, his forehead touching mine. “Because once I start, I don’t think I can stop myself.”

        I licked my lips, getting more turned on. “Do your worst…”

        That was all it took for him to crash his lips against mine in desperation. The grip around my throat perfectly tightened for me to feel a pleasurable lightheaded daze as he pulled me in closer with his other hand. I couldn’t help but open my lips slightly as he choked me, and he took the chance to deepen the kiss with his tongue twisting with mine. The feel of his tongue piercing was cooling, bringing a shiver down my spine as the ball rolled against my tongue. I gently bit his bottom lip, tugging on the rings on his lip slightly and he inaudibly groaned. 

        Gaara’s hands traveled every inch of my body, grabbing my ass under my skirt with his firm hands, then with his lips, he inched down to my neck, licking my sweet spot before going in to suck. I put a hand on his chest, stopping him. “Hey, somewhere not visible, I don’t want to walk around with a hickey..” 

        His bright green eyes looked up at mine in false annoyance, before turning smug. “That’s fine.”

        His fingers tugged at the hem at my shirt before lifting it up above my chest, displaying my bra to him. I barely had time to register before he lowered down to my breast, sucking the flesh before he lightly bit, making sure to leave a mark. 

        I yelped faintly, his hand coming up to cover my mouth. He looked up at me, his lips still hovering on my skin. “Shh, they’re going to think I’m hurting you.”

        “It did hurt a little bit…” I whined, pouting. I could feel my body react to his touch though, my legs slightly shaking and growing weaker. He smirked as he felt my knees pressing together to hide my arousal.

        “But it’s telling me you liked it?” A finger slid up and down the fabric of my underwear, feeling up on my wetness. I gasped and he smiled, enjoying my reaction, encouraging him to lower himself down, licking down my stomach, feeling my thighs, before he was finally on his knees. “Cover your mouth.”

        I obediently placed a hand over my mouth. My body abruptly shivered as he pressed his tongue against my clit through my panties, shivering in sensitivity as his left hand grabbed mine, and his other hand gripped my right thigh, squeezing roughly. 

        “You've been teasing me with your legs the whole ride,” he murmured with a dark voice, his breath ghosting up and down my inner thighs, leaving quick feather kisses on the skin. I moaned quietly causing him to grunt and suck on the flesh. My hands tangled themselves into his red locks as he attacked my sweet spot again with his tongue, the vibrations of his hums against my nub caused my vision to blur as well as the alcohol that was finally settling in from before. My neck tilted down to view the sight of my fingers gripped in his hair, his face disappearing between my legs. 

        “Fuck…” I sharply inhaled through my gritted teeth, throwing my head back and closing my eyes, before once again letting my head fall to watch. 

        His pale skin… rough hands… my hands knotted in his raven-black hair…

        Wait, what? I blinked again, readjusting my eyes in the dark to Gaara. Did I just imagine Sasuke?

        I breathed shakily, my hands moved away from his hair. I can’t think about him now, I can’t lose to him, but… I’m so desperate, damn it.

        Gaara stood up, catching my lips with his once more, but my mind was still racing with the thought of somebody else. I can’t wait for him any longer, though. My hand trailed down his chest to land on his groin, palming him through his jeans. I looped a finger around his belt buckle, beginning to unbutton it.

        Gaara’s smile against my lips faltered when we heard the timer beep from Naruto’s phone. I pulled back from him, hurrying to fix myself up. 

        “Fuck, seven minutes isn’t enough,” he cursed under his breath as he fixed his pants. I combed my hair with my fingers and readjusted my clothes. 

        “Time’s up, guys! We’re coming!~” Naruto whistled while coming closer to the door. I took a deep breath in, trying to act normal. 

        The knob rattled before the door flew open, revealing Naruto and Kiba with mischievous faces. We calmly stepped out with poker faces. 

        “Y’all do anything in there?” Kiba questioned. 

        I smiled, walking back to the living room. “Got to know each other, that’s all.”

        I greeted everybody that was waiting outside, my eyes landing on Sasuke sitting on the floor in front of the couch with Shikamaru. I went to sit on the couch, double-checking my chest for any marks. I should be safe. 

        I crossed my legs, leaning back into the backrest to whisper to Megan about what happened. 

        “You were right,” I started. “Almost did it.”

        Her eyes widened. “Great. fucking. Job.”

        We giggled at each other, and I turned to the front. My eyes once again fell on Sasuke, wanting to gauge his reaction, only to be satisfied at his red, bitter face.

        The night ended quickly, and Megan and I said our goodbyes, leaving for our hotel room. 

        “So… How was it? No way you guys fucked in that small closet under seven minutes.” Megan bombarded me immediately when the door closed.

        “Of course not, just some foreplay.” I stripped off my top to change into pajamas. 

        “Oh yeah, I can see it on your titty, didn’t know he’s a freak,” she snarked smugly. I rolled my eyes. 

        “Yeah, yeah, it’ll go away soon. My skin’s tough,” I replied, my fingers pulling down on the waistband of my skirt, revealing my thighs. 

        She gasped loudly. “Wow! Down there too? Oh my god!~ Just go knock on his door tonight.” 

        Huh? I looked into the mirror to spy a deep red mark Gaara has left on my inner thigh. Shit, I forgot about that! No way anybody saw, unless they were under me.

        I sighed a quick breath of relief, asking Megan to grab me an ice cube from the wine chiller to treat my hickies. I was sure I hid everything well, especially from Sasuke. I only need him to be upset at his assumptions rather than be right. 

        “Alright, Megan, I’m going to sleep now. Goodnight,” I said, getting into the covers and closing my eyes. 

        “Goodnight, fellow maneater!” I laughed at her comment, my eyes getting heavier. As I drifted off to sleep, my mind replayed the face Sasuke made while he was sitting on the floor, and I smiled to myself.

Chapter Text

A couple days passed since the kickback in the boys’ room. Having almost a week of free days in Otogakure meant the seven of us touring the city together nearly all 24/7. Grabbing brunch and dinner together, shopping, visiting tourist spots, and taking pictures together that can’t be posted around the city. 

        Right now, we were at ‘Echo Square’, the famous, or infamous, bustling crossing in Oto. Surrounded by skyscrapers with neon-lit screens of constant advertisements, scammers on the sidewalks turning tourists into victims, and of course, a huge shopping area. 

        We decided to look around inside the confusing building. Somehow, with their shitty disguises, no one has recognized the band on the streets. It was that busy, and the city’s people don't care about anything besides their destination. It’s definitely safe enough to shop here.

        Our first stop was a gift shop full of souvenirs and trinkets. There was nobody I could buy a souvenir for, but the shirt that said ‘I ❤️ Oto’ caught my eye. Ironically, of course.

        “Hey, (Y/N)?” I turned around to the voice calling me. Kiba had a pair of matching keychains in his hand, one black, the other pink. “Do you, well, um, what's her favorite color?”

        I laughed. “You can’t tell it's pink?”

        “Look, I didn't want to assume!” He said defensively. “Is this a bad gift?”

        “She’ll like anything you’ll give her.” 

        He shrugged more towards himself. “I’ll get something better along with it.”

        “That's cute,” I said smiling. I felt somewhere in my soul that it was going to happen soon. 

        After roaming the gift shop quickly, our next stop was a clothing store that were mostly trendy clothes. Quickly, the group split up to browse, and I started wandering off towards the women’s section. There was nothing that was my taste. Overpriced sportswear and blank hoodies just because the brand was popular was something I thought was stupid. But I still went through the racks, hoping to find a piece that will prove me wrong. 

        In the corner of my eye, I saw Kiba, in the women’s section, searching for a gift for Megan, I assumed. I smiled in fondness that hesitantly turned faux. If it wasn’t for that stupid bet I made and if it wasn’t for both me and him being stubborn, maybe I could have that too. I could have learned to trust Sasuke. 

        Truth be told, everyone noticed the sudden tension between us. We hadn’t talked since the kickback, and it was killing me. Was he that mad at me for the game? Well, Gaara and I indeed did do stuff, but why was he so quick to assume? I internally rolled my eyes at his hypocrisy. He can’t be thinking that when he was no better than me.

        My fingers mindlessly push through the hangers, not bothering to look closely at the garments. Then, speaking of the devil, Sasuke turned around the corner, eyes slightly widened but quickly relaxing at the sight of me. 

        Neither of us ran away since that would be immature and childish. Yet, it had been a while since we were alone, just the two of us. The tension was killing me, so I broke the silence first to be the bigger person.

        “Did you find anything you like?” I asked, pretending to check out a pair of shorts. He shrugged, still watching me. 

        “Nothing I want, not at this store.” He tucked his hands into his pockets, shifting his weight to one side.

        “Same here.”

        He didn’t move nor speak. I can feel his eyes burning a hole into the side of my head. I spoke, “Well, then, there’s a jewelry store next door. Do you wanna check it out?” 

        He smirked, finally, before insulting me. “Hn, why? Not like you can afford anything there.”

        I externally rolled my eyes now. “Ever heard of window shopping? The jewelry isn’t my vibe anyways, but it’s more fun to look at than here.” I turned to look at him, dropping my shoulders. “Better than here and also not too far from the group, right?”

        “I guess.” He tilted his head towards the exit. “Lead the way.”

        Two minutes into the walk, my phone rang. I rummaged through my bag to find my phone, but I quickly declined and put it away when I read my ex’s name on the screen. 

        “Not gonna pick that up?” Sasuke asked me.

        “Nope.”

        “Why not?”

        “Don’t want to.”

        He sighed. “Alright, then.”

        The ringtone blared again, quickly agitating me as I tried to ignore it.

        “Are you sure it’s not important?”

        “I’m definitely sure.” Once the ringtone ended, I muted my ringer but unfortunately caught a glimpse of his texts. Asking me if we could talk, who does he think he is?

        Finally, we arrived at the storefront. It was a very luxurious jeweler that specializes in gemstones and, of course, diamonds. Obviously, nothing I could afford, but also nothing I was seeking. 

        We walked in, and the employee was quick to upsell. I nodded my head to whatever she was saying while skimming through the glass counter displays, judging whether the price fit the jewelry in my head. 

        “Oh, young man!” She called for Sasuke. “You must get something for your woman! I know the perfect piece for a girl like her.”

        Before either of us could correct her politely, she pulled out a deep sapphire teardrop necklace with a silver chain threaded through pearls. 

        “Come, try it on.” She reached over with her arms with the necklace, clasping it on with crazy, professional speed. It was getting harder and harder to correct her without feeling guilty.

        With the small mirror on the counter, I stared at the necklace resting on my chest, beautifully shining. Honestly, she did have a great eye. 

        But the price was $1,500 and I did not have that kind of money. I let her down gently as I unclasp the necklace, handing it back to her. “It’s beautiful, ma’am, but I’m good. He’s just a friend, but thank you.”

        “Oh, I’m sorry for assuming. You guys looked great together. I’m surprised!”

        What a strong sense of déjà vu. I chuckled nervously, glancing at Sasuke, who had been quiet all this time. His lips were tight as he eyed the necklace in the worker’s hand. I nudged him. 

        “We should head back, they should be ready now.” 

        Back on the street again, I thought back on the necklace. “That was pretty. I just like looking at stuff knowing I won’t get it anyways.”

        “That’s stupid,” Sasuke said, huffing.

        “What do you mean? Again, have you never window shopped?”

        He side-eyed me as he replied, “If I want it, I’ll find a way to get it.”

        I averted my gaze, unable to find the words to reply. His words sounded familiar. Crazy déjà vu, if I could even call it that.

        “Oh my god! Ravennnnn!~” We stopped dead in our tracks. A girl shouted his stage name right before we crossed paths. “Can I get a picture, please?!”

        She was late to recognize my presence, turning to me with a sour look on her face. “Who are you? Do you know her?! Are you guys… No, don’t tell me…”

        Sasuke gave me a sly leer. “Don’t worry, she’s my cousin. You can have a picture.”

        The fangirl sighed with exasperated relief. “Oh, phew, then can you take a picture of us?”

        She answered for me by forcing her phone into my hands. She was getting ready to pose while I readied the camera, trying to hold my anger in for her rudeness. 

        Then he wrapped his arm around the fan, leaning and pulling her in closer, smiling for the camera. I snapped the picture, pissed. 

        Whatever.

THIRD PERSON

Naruto:  hiya!~ (Y/N), u n meg wanna go to da club w us tn? heard its in the hidden lights district

(Y/N):  down, when?

Naruto:  prob around 11pm, gaara n shika r goin early since they wanna leave early so me n sasuke will come get u

(Y/N):  got it ill let her know

        “Ugh, I need to drink…” (Y/N) said, falling into the bed after showering. Her feet were aching from the long walk around the city, and she wondered how the guys still had energy. Guess it comes from performing often. 

        She had a couple of hours to rest before getting dressed and ready. She scrolled on her phone mindlessly before remembering the messages and calls she received from Nathan. Shit, Nathan… Why did he suddenly contact me?

        As much as she wanted to forget about him, she checked her messages. 

Nathan:  Hey, I know it’s been a while. 

I saw your picture online with Desert Rose, and I want us to talk it out again.

Please, call me back. 

        She stared at the messages silently. The resentment she had was growing stronger as she was reminded of the feeling of being inadequate for a normal relationship. For any relationship. Not even her parents. Yet, there was no one else to blame other than herself, but who would want to do that when an ex is right there?

        “I definitely need to drink…” She turned off her phone, sat up to call room service. She called out for Megan, who was in the shower after her. “Megan! You wanna pregame for the club with me?! A little girl’s thing? On me!”

        “Yes! You know my fav, please!”

        She dialed and ordered an Amaretto Sour and a double Negroni for herself, though it took a bit of convincing the bartender for that double. Thank god they were in Oto, the city that could give less fucks about liquor laws.

        After the two were done freshening up, the drinks were delivered. Megan was getting ready at the bathroom sink while (Y/N) was sitting on the floor in front of the full-length mirror. They had their preferences that were perfectly opposite. It was why they never had a serious fight. 

        “So, have you been talking to Kiba?” (Y/N) asked, procrastinating opening her makeup bag. She sat with her knees together, again, scrolling through the media. In her mind, she needed inspiration by looking up the club, and that was part of getting ready.

        “Yeah, I am. Still awkward though, it’s been very platonic since, y’know,” her friend replied. 

        “I get it. But it’s definitely because he wants to ask you out and he’s nervous.” 

        “Mmm, I don’t think so, it’s too soon to tell,” Megan replied. (Y/N) rolled her eyes to herself while smiling, loving the dramatic irony she has as a viewer. “But what about you? Still hooked up on Sasuke?”

        She groaned, “Ugh, don’t even mention him right now, he’s annoying.”

        “So, I am right. You must have it bad if the other boys didn’t help.” 

        “I don’t like him like you like Kiba, though. He’s just physically my type.” (Y/N) scoffed at her words. Too bad she can’t lie to herself about that.

        “Whatever you say!~ I know my homegirl better than she knows herself.” Megan glanced over at her friend in her reflection, softly smiling at her flustered face only she could spot. 

        “When did I ever act like this when I like somebody?” 

        “Nearly all the time.”

        “Don’t believe you,” (Y/N) said, taking another sip of her drink before starting to apply makeup. 

        “(Y/N) has a crushy-wushy!” 

        “Megs, please, stop. It’s hard to do my brows when I’m cringing.” She still laughed, though. “You’re saying it like this is a high school love thing, when all we've been doing is partying hard and screwing around with them.”

        Megan popped her lips after applying her lipstick. “So? Romance is still cute in all forms. And you still crush like you’re in high school.”

        “Whatever, you’re projecting!” (Y/N) giggled. She applied a light eyeshadow on her eyes and a small wing. Ever since the party, she has been wearing lighter makeup. For herself, of course, and not to get another compliment from him. 

        The two continued to chat while getting ready. Megan finished curling her hair, putting on a romantic, dusty rose pink dress. The ruffles on the hem cascaded down asymmetrically and flowed behind her as she walked. Feminine, light, but sexy enough for the club.

        She sat on the edge of the bed, sipping her drink while waiting for her friend. Then, she paused when a thought flowed through her mind. “Hey, (Y/N)?”

        “Yeah, what’s up?” (Y/N) looked up from curling her hair in the mirror, sensing apprehensiveness in Megan.

        “In about two weeks, we’re going to hit all the cities.”

        “Mhm. Yeah, time flies by.”

        Megan paused. “Do you think we’re just… going to go back to normal? Like this never happened?” 

        (Y/N) finished curling a piece of her hair, not continuing another section, to think for herself. She hadn’t realized what a vacation it had been. The thought of going to work again, going to school, struggling, with barely any social interaction aside from Megan, was hitting her. But also, what about the guys? Were they special enough to stay friends, or will they go back to being just fans? 

        Is she fine with being another fan of ‘Raven’? A fan who just got lucky? 

        “Who knows, maybe you’re in luck since Kiba is into you–”

        A knock on their door cut her off. Megan, being the only one with free hands, went to open it. There was Kiba, standing with his head tilting to the left nervously. He was dressed differently, a little more put together than usual, wearing loose dress pants and a sleek leather jacket over a white button-up that had the top three buttons unbuttoned. A silver chrome necklace covered the space nicely.

        “Hey, ladies. Sorry to interrupt, can I borrow her real quick?” he apologized. He studied Megan, admiring the way she looked in her dress. He could never get used to it. “I just wanted to ask, Megan, are you free to get dinner with me?” 

        Her heart was racing. She knew men. She knew that there was a reason why he was dressed up cleanly, but part of her didn’t want to believe it. And he looked handsome, too, perfectly himself in a more formal outfit. Although his hair was still ruffled, it was combed out, and she couldn’t stop herself from glancing at his chest. 

        The image of her friend knocked her out of her trance. What kind of friend would she be if she flaked and left her best friend at the club with no other women around? She whipped her head over to (Y/N), only to see her grinning widely motioning with her hand to shoo, go!

        She mouthed a thank you to her before turning back. “Yes, I would love to go!”

        “Sigh, there she goes, my only brain cell and moral compass… Hope I don’t make bad decisions tonight without her,” (Y/N) mumbled to herself while zipping up her dress. She was draped in a dark celestial fabric with golden embroidery that had a deep plunging halter neckline, tied at her nape. The fabric stopped right above her mid-thigh, with a spiral tail as a flourish and sensuality. She bought this at a garage sale from her older neighbor, a retired baddie. 

        With the double Negroni and finishing Megan’s drink, she was buzzed. It was already eleven, and she rushed to add her finishing touches, hurriedly putting on her earrings, cursing herself for always overestimating the amount of time she had.

        A second knock on the door that was now surely for her alerted her. She quickly put her hair up in a messy updo to complete her look before grabbing her purse and opening the door to Naruto and Sasuke. 

        “You ready?” Sasuke asked. She nodded.

        “Where’s Megan?” Naruto piqued. 

        She smiled. “It’s just me, tonight.”

Chapter Text

        “ID, miss?” 

        She handed over her driver’s license with little anticipation. Now that she was here, she didn’t think about what she was going to do without Megan. Clubbing usually went with the two of them dancing with each other, and maybe ending up dancing with a guy, but always back together in the end. Sure, she was with the band, but in a way, it felt like she was going to the club alone. She was in no place to be dancing with any of the guys as of now, two she might have played, one was too sunshine for her, and one she wanted but was currently avoiding.

        She headed in, splitting up with the two to go straight to the bar. It was crowded, and she quickly lost them. The club venue was not like the others. It was dark, in a quieter spot of the city. The red lights made the room feel feverish, and the music was heavy, deep techno and house. 

        “What do you have?” She asked the bartender. She could only assume that this was an infamous, cheap, underground club. 

        The bartender’s smile tugged to one side. “I could whip up anything you need. If you know what I’m saying.”

        She questioned it before quickly ignoring the weird bartender’s words, asking for an old-fashioned. She watched the extremely pale man make her drink, his long black hair tied behind him for cleanliness. Now that she realized, his whole station was very clean, him too, compared to the rest of the club that was graffitied with tags of unknown artists. 

        “Here you go, miss…” He placed the glass in front of her, and she picked it up. The taste was extremely high quality, again, unsuspecting from the look of the club. She took another glance at him. He had some kind of visual-kei-inspired makeup, purple liner on his inner corner that looked black from the lights, she wasn’t sure. 

        Suddenly, like he knew she was looking, he turned his head towards her with a smile. “How’s the drink, miss?”

        “It’s good,” she said blankly. 

        He chuckled. “Again, I’m letting you know I have everything.” She paused, unsure whether or not to continue the conversation.

        “I can tell you enjoyed them too.” He wiped down a freshly washed glass, meticulously setting it on the rack that had perfectly lined up glasses. 

        “Enjoy what?”

        “Look behind you, at the table.”

        She slowly turned, suddenly understanding what he meant. There it was, a group of people surrounding a Boeing 707 glass table, the only expensive furniture in this club. She watched as one of the men rolled up a hundred-dollar bill, another poured out powder from their bag, cutting it up on the table. They each take a turn snorting it up in one go, passing the bill to each other casually. 

        Security didn’t seem to care, she noticed. And she tried not to care either. As she watched the woman in the group go down the slopes, (Y/N) shivered, remembering the feeling herself. Convincing herself that she hates the feeling.

        She turned back, quickly downing the drink in hopes that she would be drunk enough to forget the sight. She firmly puts the glass down. “I’ll pass.” 

        “No pressure, but if you change your mind, I’m always available,” the bartender said, slithering away to attend to another guest or addict. 

        He kept to his word, never mentioning the drugs again as he continued to serve her. Nearly drowning herself, she almost forgot she had to pay for the drinks. Her card is going to see heaven real soon if she doesn’t get there first. 

        In the end, it wasn’t enough to distract her from the image of the group. She stood up from her seat, stumbling messily alone, subconsciously treading to the table. Maybe just once, and she’ll forget about it.

        The flashing lights made it hard for her to cross the dance floor of people. Her head was spinning, and her vision was blurry. The flickering from dark to red was almost hallucinogenic, like time was in slow-motion and fast-forwarded every split second. 

        Before she could get to the table, a hand grabbed her wrist and pulled her away to another edge of the crowd. A voice she all too loved hearing spoke, “Finally, I fucking found you. Don’t run off in this type of crowd.”

        “Sorry…” 

        “I hope you were trying to find me to dance with, or else I’m going to assume you did get cold feet.” He grabbed her waist, connecting their hips.

        She rolled her eyes, but it seemed more like it was caused by the way she was feeling than annoyance. She pulled some strength to move her head up. There he was, Sasuke, with glossy eyes and a raised eyebrow, trying to pass off as sober. His hands were on her, unable to take his hands off. His words were hypocritical; he hadn’t drunk this much in a while either, over a girl. Trying to get his mind off her seemed easy until he couldn't take his hands off her.

        “Lately, you haven’t been excited to see me, I don’t wanna waste my time.. anymore…” She mumbled. She eyed back at the table, watching a couple each do a line simultaneously, then kiss each other. Sasuke trailed her gaze and smirked, learning something new about her. 

        He had his guesses, and they were confirmed. Because she was heading the same path as him, only he got lucky with the band. Lucky with a different attachment. He hadn’t realized it.

        With his thumb and index, he redirects her by her chin to peel her attention away from the table and onto him instead. The words spilled out of his mouth, “So you’re just going to jump to the others when you can’t impress me?”

        “Why do I have to impress you?” She scowled. She was tripping over her feet, barely able to dance. 

        “Because I know you want me. You already know who’s on your mind in the end,” he whispered in her ear, dropping his hand from her waist to trail a finger up her hamstring from behind. He hooked his finger on the hem, daring to pull it up an inch. “You’re bold for testing me. Were you purposely trying to show me the mark he left?”

        She was too out of it to be surprised, her mind spinning on the table, her ex, and her agitation over the man in front of her. “What answer will make you happier? Do you want me to say no? That I wasn’t even thinking about you?”

        She wrapped her arms around his nape, pulling him closer to her shoulder. “Or do you want me to say yes and fuel your ego?”

        He shut his mouth, having no comeback. He took in her scent and replied, not denying anything, “Keep playing that game, you’ll see what happens next.”

        “I’ve been waiting, and I’m getting impatient. You already know my answer.” 

        The way she was looking at him, god, he was at his breaking point. His eyes trailed down to her lips, and there was nothing more he wanted to do besides messing up her makeup by the end of the night. To give it to her so good, she'll beg for more.

        Fuck this bet, he thought. He leaned in slowly, thinking to himself that this was just lust and not love. 

        She closed her eyes. This is lust, not love. That was fine to lose to. 

        Suddenly, the phone that she had forgotten in her hand rang loudly, even over the music. The people next to her glared at the interruption before quickly going back to dancing.

        She groaned, forgetting about the guitarist in front of her when she saw 'Nathan’ on the phone. Before she could remember blocking him as an option, she pressed the green pick-up button, walking away from Sasuke, who stood confused and disappointed. 

        She held the phone to her ear, quickly frowning at his voice. “Hey, look. I was wrong, I made a mistake. I miss you. Please, let’s talk it out.”

        “Why the sudden change?” She slurred out.

        “I… saw your picture with Desert Rose. And, fuck, I- You're one of a kind, different,” he reasoned. “I shouldn't have lost you.”

        She groaned loudly into the phone, her head aching from his half-assed words. “Dude, you’re too late. You gave up on me.” She walked back to the bar and sat on a stool. “You… you and your stupid, fucking expectations… trying to make me change for you!”

        “I know! I was wrong!” He yelled in desperation. “Where are you? It’s so loud.”

        “Why do you give a shit…” She rested her elbows on the counter, a hand on her forehead for balance as the world around her continued to spin. She wished she were intoxicated enough to not comprehend his words.

        There was a loud silence on his end before he asked, “Did you… start again?”

        For a moment, she woke up due to the pang in her heart. She heaved loudly, frustrated at his assumption that he had every reason to believe. Her lips trembled while responding. “Does it matter to you?”

        “...You’re right,” he said. “I’m sorry.”

        He hung up. She shook her head to herself in annoyance, putting her phone face down on the counter like she was afraid he was going to call again. Call and remind her that she could never escape her past. Then it hit her. Why try to escape?

        “Hey, bartender!” She called out. “Is it okay to just ask for a little?”

        “Oh, surely. You changed your mind?” He devilishly smiled, licking his lips. “If it’s just a couple of lines, then it’s free of charge.” 

        She watched as he pulled out a little small bag from his pocket, pouring out the white, soft powder onto the sleek counter, then taking a business card to scrape the snow into two thin lines dedicated just for her. She reached for her wallet to grab a dollar bill, rolling it up into a thin tube. 

        Quickly, she inhaled everything up. The feeling was rushing through her; the stimulant mixed with the alcohol felt euphoric, and she sighed her first sigh of relaxation. The stress of everything that was going on in her life was immediately alleviated, and she felt energized. 

        “Thank you, oh my god…” She let out, missing the powder. He chuckled, hoping it was enough for her to fall victim. 

        “Anytime, darling.~” He hissed.

        A man pulled up a chair next to her. She looked at him confidently, though unable to see him clearly. It didn’t matter, she was on top of the world. 

        “You fine thing, hitting the slopes, are you?” He asked, smirking. Though it wasn’t as hot as Sasuke’s annoying smirk.

        But who cared? “Mhm, just this once.”

        “Everyone knows that’s a lie, haha.” His hand reached for her thigh, but she ignored it. “Shot?”

        “Sure!” She agreed cheerfully. He motioned to the bartender for two shots. Even though the bartender was shady, he made sure to hand the glass directly to her hands. 

        They cheered, and she knocked back the shot without ease. Right when she gulped, the nausea hit her. It was past her limit long ago.

        Leaving the man in the dust, she ran to the bathroom, shoving through the closest stall’s door to drop to her knees, throwing up everything she drank. She held herself up with her elbows on the toilet rim, glad that the women’s bathroom was cleaner than she thought. 

        “Ugh, fuuckkk…” She moaned out. Her hands attempted to hold her hair up into a ponytail, but another hand suddenly came and did it for her. She couldn’t thank the person before yakking into the toilet again. 

        “There, there,” a woman’s voice comforted her, her other hand rubbing (Y/N)’s back. 

        She wailed, “I’m sorryyyy, ughh…” 

        “Don’t be sorry, it’s okay!”

        “Thank youuuu!” She cried in appreciation. Ah, how she loved a girl’s girl.

        “Of course, let me know when you’re ready.”

        She was ready within ten minutes after throwing up two more times. Finally, she had a good look at her savior. The woman had bright red hair and bright auburn eyes that were nearly crimson, covered by a pair of dark brown frames.

        “What’s your name?” She asked (Y/N).

        “(Y/N)...”

        “Hi, (Y/N)! I’m Karin!” Karin introduced herself as she wrapped the drunken girl’s arm over her shoulder, pulling her up to stand. 

        “Karin… my angel…” The two walked out of the bathroom. “Where is he…?”

        “Who?” 

        From a short distance, Sasuke, who had been searching for her, spotted the two of them. He frowned at (Y/N)’s state, slumped over a random girl with her head down, leaning on that poor girl with near dead weight. He quickly made his way to her, wanting to lecture her like a hypocrite, still angry from her running away from his attempt to kiss her. 

        He tapped on the girl’s shoulder, her head whipping to the ravenhead. “Hey, she’s mine. I’ll take her home.”

        Karin blushed at Sasuke, before shaking her head, knowing she had to protect this stranger she had found. “Huh?! How am I supposed to believe you?!” She turned over to (Y/N), whispering in her ear. “Hey, wake up a bit, do you know this man? Is he your boyfriend?”

        (Y/N) lolled her head slowly, her brain still catching up to the movement. Her gaze finally landed on Sasuke, squinting to refocus on his face, not comprehending her angel’s question. “Yes… I wanna go homeee…” Her arm reached out for Sasuke’s hand suddenly, and Karin’s grasp on her slipped. (Y/N) nearly fell to the floor gracelessly before Sasuke caught her, her head hitting his chest.

        “Alright, I gotcha,” he said, forgetting about his anger. At least he didn’t lose just yet. He pulled her up. Her hands gripped his shirt tightly for support, enjoying the warmth of his body on hers. He quickly thanked Karin for caring for (Y/N) and ensuring she was safe. For one last good measure, she asked (Y/N) again if he was her boyfriend. She nodded in a hurry. 

        Karin left to join back with her friends. Sasuke sighed. He wrapped (Y/N)’s arm around his nape, interlacing his hand with hers, another on her waist to keep her steady. He shimmied out with her out of the club, hoping she had everything in her purse. 

        They made some distance down the street before he sat her down against the wall of a building. 

        “Don’t pass out on me just yet…” he murmured. She hummed in response. He grabbed his phone to call for a cab. Within five minutes, a yellow taxi braked at the curb. He picked her up as best as he could for an inebriated man, the driver opening the door for him as he placed her down gently on the seat. He situated himself next to her, giving the driver the address back to the hotel. It was going to be a decently long drive, so he should let the others know they were heading back. 

        The car started heading down the streets. It was a silent ride for the first ten minutes. Sasuke closed his eyes, sobering up as best as he could. His mind was worried because of (Y/N), but he didn’t know why he cared so much. Yeah, sure, he wasn’t going to leave a drunk girl by herself if he encountered one, but he would have just asked somebody else he could trust to help. The most he usually did was pay for their ride home. Yet, he was already thinking about how he needed to gain his balance back to be able to carry her up to her room, to make sure she safely got to her bed, and, if needed, to take care of her. 

        (Y/N) quickly fell asleep, and her body slowly leaned towards Sasuke until her head lay on his shoulder, breaking his focus. Her body was weirdly contorted, but she was out like a light, unable to adjust to a more comfortable position. Still, he asked her, but mostly to himself, “Is that even comfortable?”

        Shit, why should he care? Yet, he instinctively turned so his back was against the car door to pull her in deeper with her back on his chest. Then he wrapped an arm around her, only because his arm needed space. Only because of that. 

        She snuggled up, enjoying the new position. He looked over her shoulder to see if she was still asleep. She definitely still was. 

        Then his eyes drifted down her body. His eyes lingered a bit too long on her chest, which was very exposed with the deep plunging neckline. Her dress rode up her thighs slightly too high. 

        Shit, he can’t be a pervert right now. Man, this fucking dress…

        His perverted thoughts were cut off when he noticed her phone in her hand. Thank god she still had it. He looked closer, noticing the screen was still on. I’ll turn it off for her…

        He slowly snatched her phone from her hand to not wake her up. Without meaning to, he peeked at her screen, curious about who called to interrupt their time, to open a text conversation from someone named ‘Nathan’. He read the messages from a couple of hours ago, cringing at the desperation from someone who was obviously an ex. He scrolled down, tempted by his curiosity, reading unread messages from him that suddenly changed in text style.

Nathan: i thought u got sober?

Nathan: what did I expect tho.. U looked prettier

Nathan: healthier ig, in that pic w the band?

Nathan: guess i was wrong, ur prob sleeping w them for drugs

Nathan: knowing u, u dress like a slut w no future

Nathan: i was right to give up on u

        “Fucking asshole…” Sasuke muttered to himself. To beg her to come back, then insult her when she declined, he was surprised she ever liked this guy. Didn’t seem to be her type, too. Even he could treat her better, maybe. But his eyes glazed over the first text.

        Was she sober? Obviously not from drinking, that was everybody in their 20s, but why would her ex assume she wasn’t? He glanced at her again, like she was going to answer. Her peaceful expression stopped him in his tracks, though. Her chest slowly rose up and down, breathing steadily. She was cute to him like this in his arms. It wasn't any of his business, anyway. She was no one to him besides a fan.

        He looked at the messages again, deeply debating whether he had the right to use her phone. He was already being nosy and invading her privacy. 

        I don’t want her to read this, though, he thought. So his thumb pressed on his contact, scrolling down to press the block button, and deleted the conversation.

Chapter Text

        “What the fuck…?” I sat up, waking up with the worst migraine I've ever had in my life. How did I even fall asleep with this pain? Wait. 

        What happened?

        My brain was shifting its gears in recollecting my memory of the night before. All I remember was that shady ass bartender, who gave me…

        “Fuck,” I cursed under my breath. I let myself fall back onto the pillow. There went my longest record of sobriety. Strangely, I wasn’t disappointed in myself yet. Maybe the severity of this hasn’t kicked in yet. 

        Anything else after that, I didn’t remember. I was in huge relief that somehow, I made it home safe, and that was all that mattered to me. Suddenly, my mouth started salivating, and I rushed out of bed into the bathroom where Megan was taking a shower. I threw up one last time into the toilet bowl. 

        “Good morning, sleepyhead! You had fun last night, didn’t you?” she beamed, unfazed by my presence. I groaned in response. “You could have had your chance with Sasuke if you didn’t get so drunk with him. Glad he brought you home to me safe and sound, though.”

        I squinted my eyes. “Sasuke? He brought me back?”

        “Yeah? Is that wrong?”

        “I don’t remember him taking me home at all.”

        “Wow, really?!~ It was so cute, too. He was carrying you like a princess, and when he knocked on my door, he laid you down on your bed and tucked you in,” she explained. My face burned from embarrassment as well as from feeling sick. There was no way he saw me like that. What if I did something embarrassing? How did I even end up with him by the end of the night?

        Then I slowly pieced more of the night together, when we were going to kiss. Or maybe he was playing me, but I did lose my chance and didn’t get to kiss him. On the bright side, I didn't look desperate. At least, I haven’t lost yet. 

        “I should probably thank him… but ugh. We stopped talking, then I got too drunk, and now it’s awkward.” I slapped a hand over my forehead for comfort. I wish I had Megan’s stomach to be able to not get hangovers. 

        “They're practicing a cover song right now. They told me that if you're too sick, you can rest,” she informed, turning the shower faucet off. My head was still looking down into the toilet bowl, as I grimaced in pain. I was definitely staying in tonight.

        Behind me, I heard her do her after-shower routine. We were that close. Then I remembered, again. “So, you and Kiba?”

        Her hand froze at the doorknob. “What about us?”

        “How was the date?”

        She smiled nervously. “I chickened out.”

        “What?!” I yelled in shock.

        “He did ask me out. I almost said yes, until I remembered he’s a star and I’m… I’m not.” She turned her body away from me, her hand lightly rubbing the doorknob in nervousness. 

        “Well, we’re going to talk about it the moment I get up off the floor and brush my teeth.”

        “So you rejected him?” 

        She nodded simply. A glint of regret shimmered in her eyes but passed quickly. I waited until she was ready to explain why. 

        “I thought about what you said, (Y/N). Why you would never date a musician,” she started. “How could I? How am I supposed to handle the fans? How am I supposed to trust him?”

        Her voice choked up as she vented, trying her best not to cry. “And I can’t date in secret. I’m not capable of dating somebody famous. If I were a star too, then maybe I would feel worthy, but I’m a nobody he met a couple of weeks ago. Honestly, I’m a slut.”

        The tears couldn’t be held back. I pulled her in as she cried on my shoulder. She whispered, “It’s already hard watching him on stage and seeing the fans lust over him. But I can’t even be mad because I was just like them.”

        “There, there… You’re not a slut, we’re all adults,” I comforted her. “You can handle any meanie, I know that. This would be no different.”

        “But I have to think about him, too! I can’t be selfish asking to be public and risking his career.”

        I grabbed her by the shoulders. “Please, look at him. Do you think he gives a fuck?” She pushed my hands away.

        “Well, too late now. I already told him all of this and broke both of our hearts.”

        “We still have more than two weeks left of forced proximity, maybe both of you need time to think about it. And don’t take what I say to heart, there’s a difference between Kiba and Sasuke, obviously.”

        “I guess I’ll think about it…” We sat in comfortable silence the rest of the time, I had my ears open for her.

        Rehearsal was tomorrow, which meant show day was close. A cover song? I guess playing the same set could get boring. Otogakure was a highly populated city, which meant the fans got special treatment. 

        There was a small bubbling of excitement in my stomach. It felt like it had been so long since they performed, but we just saw them on the stage last week. I realized how fun it was being on the set and how thrilling seeing the stage from their point of view, with all the fans facing them. It was a rush. 

        I thought back on why I decided to join this tour, saying it was for the money, but truly, I wanted to see what it was like in their shoes. It was funny realizing my intentions were the same as a groupie. Somehow, Megan and I just flipped. I'm partying like I was a rockstar.

        A once-in-a-lifetime chance meant it was okay for me to let loose. I’ll be fine.

        Rehearsal has been going smoothly so far. I talked to everyone here and there before landing on Sai for light conversation. He was a weird guy, but guess everyone had their traits. His talent made up for his blunt personality. 

        Plus, it was more interesting to hear him talk about how ‘art’ is in everything. Showed me a lot of drafts for previous music videos, outfits, stages, lighting, and then he showed me guitar designs he customized for the band, letting me know he recently learned how to etch and draw on the base of the guitar. 

        As we walked to his dedicated station to grab his tablet, I spotted Naruto, Sasuke, and Shikamaru practicing together. I was too far to hear them, but I fixated on Sasuke instinctively, wondering if we were on good terms yet. Last time I saw him, I was too far gone. 

        Then, Sasuke’s lips moved like he was lip-syncing to a song. 

        “(Y/N), I trust your opinion, which color lighting would fit ‘Dead Signal’, I was thinking a deep blue,” Sai asked, thankfully pulling my attention away from Sasuke’s lips. Can’t lose. 

        “Hmm, how about deep blue in the front, and purple in the back? It will blend well with the song.”

        “Yes, that would look good, it would look luminescent with this venue.” Sai opened his bag, searching for his tablet. “Ah, here let me show you my previous works.”

        He opened a portfolio full of his work, swiping through many sketches and outfits he styled himself. There were other models he worked on other than the band, some women and girl bands as well. It seemed fun to be dressed up for the stage, and although it was a chaotic day, I reminisced on getting dressed by Sai and how fun it was. 

        “I’m thinking about having you for one of my works next, for my own fashion line,” he said, causing me to widen my eyes. 

        “Me?” I pointed at myself. “I don’t know how to model.” 

        “Yes, you. You’ll be fine, it’s easier to work with someone I know compared to others; they cannot handle how I work most of the time.”

        “Ah-hah…”

        “Well, I’ll call you when I’m finished with sewing everything together, be ready.”

        “Ah…”

        Finally, the day of the concert came.       

        The lights flashed, and smoke appeared behind them. We watched the band in a special area near the stage, sectioned off from the audience. The crowd was buzzing in anticipation, knowing the end of the night was coming. The venue was filled to the brim with bodies roaring for ‘One! More! Song!’ 

        I cheered along with Megan, clinking our cups together and quickly downing them for the finale. All I could hear was the blood rushing in my ears from the stimulation of the music and vibrations hitting my chest. 

        But also because of him. On the left of Naruto, with his guitar hung low and sweat dripping on his neck, was Sasuke with black smudged around his eyes. My eyes were on his sharp jawline, on his face when he played with his eyes shut tight, biting his bottom lip, on his chest when his shirt was clinging to him, on him. 

        He was straight sin on the stage. 

        Maybe it had been a while since our last concert, but I forgot what it was like seeing him on the stage. Like always, since the beginning, he caught my eye. And I was slowly losing the fight in resisting. He looked his best onstage.

        Naruto stepped up to the mic, breathing heavily into it. The spotlight focused on his wild smile as he spoke into the mic. “Okaayyy, okaayy, we heard ya’!”

        The crowd erupted in cheers, some still begging for more. “We got a little cover song prepared, you guys ready?” 

        “Oh, it’s the one they've been practicing recently!” Megan piqued.

        “Cough! Ahem, sorry. My throat kinda hurts, though…” Naruto whined, rubbing his Adam’s apple up and down exaggeratedly. Voices awwed him sympathetically; the thought of their favorite leader in any pain can bring them to tears.

        “So we’re going to do something a little different,” he said, causing both Megan and me to raise an eyebrow. He looked over his shoulder and his grin perked at Sasuke, who slowly made his way over to the mic. “Because tonight!”

        Sasuke grabbed the mic from Naruto, raising it to his lips. “I’m singing it.”

        The entire venue shook. From the sound of disbelief and lust and excitement because Sasuke rarely sang- shit, he rarely spoke on stage. He smirked at the sight of all the phones shooting up in the air to record this rare moment.

        He leaned into the mic, dragging out the moment, cupping it with two hands in silence, waiting for the crowd to quiet down. With his voice low and razor-sharp, “This one’s for the special girls out there who like it rough…”

        He paused, letting every word hit the audience. It was a frenzy, dripping lust in every corner of the venue. His head dipped down toward me, and a cocky slow smirk painted on his lips. The noise muffled when his eyes locked with mine, unblinking. “You know who you are…”

        He smiled devilishly, his stage presence taking over, but it was all directed to me. I suddenly understood the fans, why they loved 'Raven' so much. Like a lethal shot, he spat out, “Hope he’s listening.”

        My breath stuck to my throat as he strummed the first gritty chord. He sent me a message and I read it. How much he knew, I didn’t know. Sasuke tilted his head slightly, still keeping his eyes on me as he sang the first lyric.

        "You think your life is done, he took it all with him,

        so you drink enough for it to wash away the sin.

        Such a shitty thing he did, the way he said goodbye,

        you can take it out on me if you like..."

        I was still in shock. My lips were parted, and adrenaline was pumping through my body. I covered my mouth with the back of my hand, and a laugh slipped out. He watched my reaction and made a playful, smug shrug, and my chuckle turned into full laughter. 

        Because what the fuck? He was actually singing this corny, dirty song with his voice, on stage, for me. This song was made for us. I raised my glass to him and drank, and suddenly it wasn’t shocking anymore. He walked across the stage for everyone to get a closer view of him before landing in front of us. I was so close to him, if I had reached out like a desperate fan, I would have touched him. He let out his voice to sing again.

        "You hate the way he fooled around behind your back.

        A slave to him, but now with me, no strings attached.

        But if you wanna use me up and leave me in the bed, 

        if that’s what you need go right ahead…"

        He dragged out the last line of the verse, looking back at me and down his body like an invitation. I rolled my eyes and bit my lip, feeling warm from the tequila shots and laughter, and what was almost affection. 

        Whatever happened at the club, I wish it had gone further, more and more. God, this was hot. He was hot. He can sing, and the rare performance in which he sings wasn’t just a performance; it was for me. What a dream, right? 

        "Stronger than a shot of whiskey or any pill you take…"

        I took a shot to tease him, like I was telling him that I doubt that. I let every filthy, fucking lyrics wash over me as I danced along to the song, now feeling like I can just give a big middle finger to my ex. Maybe this was exactly what I needed, but of course, it had to come from Sasuke. 

        "Fuck away the pain, erase him from your brain.

        Fake it like you love me, come on, baby, touch me.

        Show me where it hurts, this dirty little curse.

        Don’t have to be ashamed if you wanna scream my name,

        While I fuck away the pain."

        I honestly just might let him.

        As soon as the concert ended, I rushed backstage to get away from the chaos of the crowd leaving like sardines. The crowd was still roaring, but the staff quickly went to pack everything up for the road. I waited for him, leaning against the wall, arms crossed, with a smile I couldn't wipe off my face. 

        He was looking for me, with a towel swung over his neck, still breathing heavy. We made eye contact, and he did a slight jog over. 

        "Wow," I drawled with disbelief. "I didn't know you could sing."

        He shrugged, "I don't. Not really."

        "That sucks, I want to hear it more," I said. "Especially the song choice felt a little on the nose, hm?"

        "It was accurate, right?" He locked eyes with me, then stepped closer, pushing me to step back. "Want to make it more accurate?"

        My cheeks heated up. "So you're fine being a rebound?"

        "No," he said with a low, sonorous voice. "I'm fine being your upgrade."

        I huffed jokingly, trying not to smile. "Cocky."

        "Honest."

        I sighed, letting my grin take up my face. "You're so lucky I liked the song."

        "And I'm asking you to make it happen." His gaze lowered to my lips and body without shame to mess with me. I grabbed the towel slung over his neck and whacked him lightly on the chest with it.

        "Shut up and go get ready, perv, we have to leave early in the morning," I reminded, walking off to hide my expression. It felt so much better to finally have him flirting with me again, and we were back at our weird but fun relationship. 

        "Better not rush me, I hope you know that I will bother you the whole ride to 'entertain me'," he said, following along. 

        "I'll make sure to tire you out."

        "You can try, I got stamina."

        "God, you're so dirty," I groaned, speeding up. He grabbed my arm to force me to match his pace.

        "You say that, but I know you missed it." He was all smug and shit with a stupid smirk on his face. 

        I tried to act laid-back, like he wasn't right. "Whatever."

        "C'mon, where's your bite from before?"

        "You're offstage now, stop flirting and go!" I shouted, my face unable to hide my redness. 

        "Aw, you're embarrassed," he cooed taunting me, poking my cheek. "Too sober to talk your talk?"

        I turned around, stopping him in his tracks. "You're the one who prepared a whole special song for me for the public to hear, that's doing a little too much for a bet, huh?"

        "Maybe. But I know it worked," he replied, so cocky and yet, not wrong. 

        "Maybe it did," I breathed, before flicking his forehead. "But not tonight."

        "Next time, don't drink so much." He gave me one last pinch on my cheek before splitting off to pack his instruments and belongings backstage.

        Why does he have to be so cocky? But, my god, am I starting to like it.

Chapter Text

You are my angel.

Come from way above to bring me love.

Her eyes, she's on the dark side.

Neutralize every man in sight.

To love you, love you, love you.

        I rubbed the rim of the glass as I giggled quietly over the videos Megan took of Sasuke’s performance and sent them to me. It was late at night as the bus drove us to our next destination. The cabin lights were dimmed as most of the band was knocked out, besides Sasuke, who sat on the couch scrolling away on his phone with his hood up. I set my glass down on the kitchenette table after taking a sip.

        “How fast did you even learn the song?” I asked. “You really put thought into it, too, huh?”

        He responded without looking up, “Just for you.”

        “I expect you to sing every show now, just for me.” I grinned, replaying the clip when he was in front of me on the stage. His eyes were low as ‘Raven’ flirted with me.

        “If you’re going to keep looking at me like that when I do, maybe.”

        I raised a brow. “Like what?”

        “Like you’re five seconds away from crawling into my lap,” he dryly said, patting his lap. “C’mon, princess.”

        “First of all, you wish. Second of all, seriously? Still with the ‘princess’?” I snorted. 

        “Fits since you’re getting spoiled by me.” He pursed his lips with a slight smirk as he put his second earbud back in his ear. Annoyed, I got up and walked over to him. He looked up from his phone, confused, until I yanked out the earbud he had just used. I sat beside him, listening to what he had on. 

        “Fits that you’re so grumpy and brooding when you’re listening to emo shit like this all the time,” I ribbed. 

        “Obviously I don’t,” he retorted. 

        “Oh, right. It’s either moody or sexual, no in between.”

        “You wanna keep complaining or you wanna change the song?” He deadpanned, offering his phone for me. “I bet what you listen to isn’t any better.”

        “I wasn’t complaining. Just saying you’re either sad or horny, no in between,” I explained. “But, yes. I’ll show you how superb my music taste is.” I grabbed his phone from his hand, searching for a song I thought he would like. He only sighed at my jab, but kept silent, not talking back. I pressed play. 

        The song played out, slow and haunting. He listened carefully as the bass kicked in, pulsing. I shuffled closer. “It’s so you, right?”

        “Hn. What’s it called?” He asked. 

        “Angel. Massive Attack.” He opened the app and added it to his likes, then returned to being quiet, with his head leaned back and eyes on the ceiling. I smiled triumphantly at the fact that I found a song he would love. “So, was I right? The mood fits you.”

        His head lolled over to look into my eyes. “The lyrics remind me of you more,” he gingerly muttered. The track faded into the background as I turned my head too, to hide my face, hoping I wasn't pink. Maybe he was teasing me, the lyrics were too romantic for him to be serious.

        When I finally got my shit together, I glanced at him, trying to read past his calm demeanor. I chuckled dryly, teasing him back softly, “You always talk sweet like that to every girl you’re playing?”

        “Only the ones who know they’re playing me back,” he pretended to sigh and turned his head back to the ceiling with his eyes closed, but a faint smile resided on his lips. 

        “Oh, so you’re playing victim now?” 

        He shrugged smoothly. “Never said I mind it.” 

        The bus hummed as we continued sharing earbuds shoulder to shoulder, the tension pulling tighter. Neither of us moved away, filling the space with comfortable silence besides the playlist that we made together. I watched him fighting the urge to nod off, laughing softly as I fought off my own yawn.

        “You don’t wanna head to bed with the others?” I put a hand on his shoulder to shake him lightly. “You must be tired after performing.”

        “I’m fine.” He surprised me when he reached over with his hand to put my head on his shoulder. “This is comfortable.”

        Heat crept up my neck as I tried to come up with something smart or witty, but… it felt warm. Maybe even familiar. His scent was subtle but masculine, with sensual, whiskey musk mixed with spicy cardamom hints. The smell of his cologne blended well, it was dangerously addictive. I could hear his breath over the music, slowing down in tempo as he fell asleep, unfazed. 

        He was vulnerable. We were vulnerable. I nuzzled my head deeper into the crook of his neck and closed my eyes until the music waned into the back of my mind. As our breaths sync in rhythm, I let the wave of comfort wash over me and fell asleep.

Chapter Text

        “Fuck, it’s so hottt…” Shikamaru dragged. I fanned myself with my hand to no avail. Yugakure was humid and sweltering. The sun burned our skin to its core with no mercy. We quickly unpacked and gave our luggage to the employee, with Naruto tipping the bellhop generously. “Ugh, let’s rest a bit and grab grub after, my back hurts.”

        Our hotel was a five-star tropical resort in the famous city of Yu. It was renowned for its hot springs and beaches, boasting beautiful, crystal-clear waters. Though Shikamaru was right to complain, the sun rays were beaming down with full force on our skin, and it was not something I wanted to deal with after a twenty-hour bus ride. 

        As we walked through the resort after checking in, I observed the towering palm trees lining the path to our room, swaying in the breeze. Though Yu was a relaxing destination, it was also a big party city, with many superficial people who only care about reputation, power, and beauty. And it wasn’t hidden away from society, it was out in the open. The resort was full of indulgent activities such as bars, pools, and was set near the shores of the best-rated beach of Yu. There were more club promoters than teachers here. Guests who were staggering around were only in beachwear, and no one would bat an eye. 

        But we finally made it to our rooms away from the heat. Megan and I rested up before getting ready to eat at a gourmet seafood restaurant in the hotel with the band. Being fed by them was the second-best thing coming out of being a groupie, the first being the concerts. 

        We met up at the restaurant and took our seats quickly in a private corner booth. Like always, it was fun to eat with them. Their personalities clashed and blended so well, and it reminded me that they were real people, not just celebrities. 

        Naruto would always be halfway done with his plate within a minute of being served. In the eyes of the world, he was a leader and respected, but here he was talking while chewing with zero shame. Kiba would then laugh loudly, making fun of Naruto for eating so messily, nudging Shikamaru, who was lost in stirring his miso soup, ignoring his ‘troublesome’ friends, though he couldn’t refrain from his mouth twitching into a smile. Gaara doesn’t talk much, but I would sneak a couple of glances to see him staring at his group fondly before politely focusing on his food later. 

        And Sasuke, always so mysterious and quiet. His posture was always so straight and poised, and he held his utensils so elegantly. It sometimes made my eyes roll, considering he was a rock musician who goes wild on stage, yet he learned class from somewhere.

        “Hey, (Y/N), Meg,” Naruto called with his mouth stuffed with sushi. He swallowed his food before speaking again. “There’s a pool party on the rooftop tonight, pretty exclusive, you guys down to go?”

        “Ooh! The pool? I totally wanna swim, it’s so hot,” Megan piqued. 

        I raised an eyebrow. “Exclusive?”

        “Mostly VIPs and exclusive members only people.”

        “Basically, rich people,” Shikamaru yawned. ”And whoever they want to bring.”

        I scoffed. “So, basically, people like you guys?”

        “Mhm.” Sasuke nudged me with his elbow, stealing one of my cherry tomatoes off my plate with his chopsticks. “We got an invite. Alcohol and food are all-inclusive. You down now?”

        “Ah, now I’m interested. I’ll go.” I stole a nigiri off his plate as revenge. “Also, don’t try to distract me, thief.”

        “Oi, that is not an equal trade,” he complained, to which I shrugged off, enjoying my piece. 

        Naruto coughed, interrupting our petty exchange. He squinted at Sasuke, but I couldn’t make out his thoughts. “Well, we’ll come get you when it’s time to go, since you’ll need to enter with us. By the way, swimsuits are mandatory so I hope you guys brought one.”

        “So that’s why it was in the pack list…” Megan hummed. “I thought you guys were just perverts.”

        “What?! No! Did you not see Yugakure in the email we sent you?!” 

        “Uh… no?” Megan smiled sheepishly. 

        I laughed at their banter. Ba-dump! I felt it again, a sharp echo. Because it wasn’t the high that lingers, it was that echo. I dug my fingernails into my palm, then rubbed them on my jeans to try to get the itch away. Since that night in Oto, it would come and go. The noise was barely enough to cover the quiet panic I was having. My skin felt firmer and firmer, before it felt too tight. There was an empty taste of amber I was craving in my throat, and I washed it down with water, but to no avail. I was craving it, a dull ache in my mind waiting for me to soothe again. 

        I could barely make out what they were saying, passing off as normal by laughing when they laughed. My hands fidget with the fabric of my shorts, before my fingernails began digging into my thighs under the table. Another line. I want another line. 

        I breathed in. Focus. Not here. Can’t look fucking crazy right now. I breathed out. I checked if anyone noticed anything, but their eyes were all on Naruto and Megan cracking jokes. I sighed in relief as the wave passed away. I turned to myself to glance at Sasuke, only to see him already looking at me. Something flickered in his eyes, and I looked away. That night in Oto, how much does he know?

        “Damnnnn, (Y/N)!~ I wasn’t joking about your tits growing bigger by the way,” Megan exclaimed, raising her eyebrows suggestively. “Swimsuit’s cute, we lowkey match.”

        “Aw, that’s cute. Wait, let me fix that.” I tucked in the tag on her bikini. She pulled me in for a mirror picture, which I quickly held a peace sign for. “Man, I can’t wait for Kiba to see you in this, he’s gonna lose it.”

        “Shut up, I already said no, I doubt he’s going to try again.” She grabbed her purse and made sure she had all her important things, like wallet, phone, hotel key… “You want me to hold your stuff too? I can be purse mom again since you’re always losing your things.”

        “Yeah, thanks.” Before I could say anything about Kiba and her, a knock interrupted me. They were here. I opened the door to Sasuke and Naruto in swim trunks and a loose cotton button-up. 

        “Ready?” 

        “Yup.”

        We walked to the elevators and made our way to the rooftop. There weren’t many floors because this was a resort. But it definitely took many acres of land to build everything. Our room was also impressive. Usually, we would get a normal double bed suite most hotels have, but for this week, it included two bedrooms and a living room section. I’d like to think the band upgraded us since we were so cool and helpful, but maybe this resort had no average rooms. 

        There was a bouncer at the entrance of the pool. The guys said their names and showed their invite, and we were let in. No ID or security check… I guess it was that exclusive. 

        It was surprisingly crowded. People were dressed in designer swimwear, lounging on their daybeds and cabanas, drinking champagne and liquor like it was water. There were quite a lot of people in the pool that were glowing blue, which had a glass infinity wall to give an illusion that the water and the edge of the building were one. 

        The place dripped with wealth. Wealthy businessmen, or whatever they do to make millions, wore gold chains that glinted brightly from the lights surrounding the rooftop. Many beautiful women besides them, laughing along to anything they say. They stand by their side like trophies. 

        I noticed it. Like the celebrity ‘party’ we went to in Kiri, this was similar, only the difference was that they didn’t have to be celebrities. This was controlled. There was no chaos. Sure, some were let loose, and partying and extroverted, but everything was for show. A statement to brag. It was easier to convince myself that I belonged compared to last time, because everyone here was truly fake. Honestly, we were also just trophy girls to the band; that’s what these people will assume. What we were meant to be in the beginning. 

        I settled down with Megan, getting drinks with her at the bar. These people might care about reputation and looks, but if drinks are free, I’m making sure I’m putting the offer to good use. No matter if I embarrass myself. 

        “Do you see any cute rich man you like?” Megan asked cheekily. “Maybe one for me, too?” 

        I pointed to Kiba, who was already deep in the pool. “Right there.” She rolled her eyes. I frowned at her actions. “Stop acting like you did him a favor. Didn’t I tell you to think about it? Tell me you regret rejecting him.”

        “Okayyy!! I do, but too late now,” she whined. 

        “Ugh, this is not the Megan I know. You used to ghost a guy and pop back into his life with no sympathy,” I said. I ordered another tropical drink. The bartender had a crazy great menu, nothing tasted like alcohol, but I knew it was strong. I was already feeling tipsy. “Just do that again, but now it’s serious!”

        She rolled her eyes again, and I swear it was going to the back of her head. Megan let out a groan, chugging her drink and slamming it down. “Fine. I need to drink.”

        “Wow, you sound like me…”

        “I know how you feel now. Liquid courage.” With the drink menu, she fanned herself. “It’s still so fucking hot, even at midnight. Let’s hop in the pool too with them after one more.”

        We talked a bit more, gossiping to each other about the guys and the trip so far as we finished our ‘Pearl of the Pacific’ and ‘Siren’s Whisper’ cocktails. We laughed over the names and the music, people watched, and took one last shot to end it, heading to hang with the band. Well, I ordered another drink to drink by the pool.

        We walked past the cabanas, and I saw it. Under a large cabana with draping terracotta fabrics, was a table. A table with white lines on top of it, and surrounded by people who were lounging and laughing, taking turns for a fix. I made eye contact with one of the men briefly, slicked back grey hair, and deep plum wine eyes. But I had to catch up to Megan, who was pulling me through the crowd, and refocused on not spilling the martini in my hand.

        “Finally joining us?” Kiba asked. He hasn’t seemed phased from the dinner with Megan, I could see a spark of determination in his smile. As we stepped in slowly, Naruto lightly splashed us, causing me to yelp. 

        “Hey! Don’t splash my drink, dummy,” I chuckled and shielded my glass. I submerged myself fully, sitting on the ledge built in the pool. He swam up beside us, his hair sticking to his forehead. 

        “This is so sick. I know we’re supposed to be mature, but this pool is crazy. Literally, we’re in the sky!” He gestured with his entire arm to the skyline, the night and shore merged into one. The horizon was only visible because of the lights of the ships and yachts in the waters, and there were enough stars to help distinguish the sky.

        “Someone definitely will fall off, though,” Megan said, peering over the glass. “I’m scared it’s going to break one day, and hopefully not today.”

        “Don’t worry, I’ll catch you,” Kiba smirked. I smiled to myself for being right. Shikamaru, who was only dipping his ankles into the pool with his sunglasses still on, snorted. He muttered ‘cornball’ under his breath, leaving it unheard to Kiba.

        I laughed along with the group, but my mind ran back to that group in the cabana. I couldn't shake it out of my head, how white and soft the powder looked. I glanced over to the cabana, examining the people there. The silver-haired man was sitting on a chair, hunched over the table, then cackling loudly next to a heavily pierced man with copper hair. Next to him was a woman rolling a joint or a blunt indiscreetly, a white hibiscus pinned in her hair. They seemed to be coordinated, wearing matching black swimsuits with red accents.

        My head whipped back to the feel of someone clinking their glass with mine. There was Sasuke, sitting beside me, the shallow water meeting just waist-deep for him. I tried to keep my eyes on his face instead of his lean, yet sculpted chest. He asked with half a smirk, “Getting used to this yet?”

        “Used to what?” 

        “Being a groupie,” he said bluntly. “Because it gets real sickening fast dealing with pretentious old asshats here.”

        “Yeah, but not like I never dealt with them before,” I replied. “I’m more surprised you guys picked us out of the whole crowd. Compared to the women here, I’m lacking a bit…”

        He scoffed. “We're in Yugakure. Plastic surgeons move here to make money. In a couple of years, they're going to regret getting botched for millionaires that’ll replace them in a heartbeat.”

        “Like how you’ll replace us?” I uttered softly. He eyed me with mixed feelings, cautiously speaking.

        “No, not you.”

        I laughed halfheartedly. There was a pause between us before I spoke with my voice low and sincere. “That’s good. Because even though I say I’m tagging along for fun and money, I don’t want this to end. I don’t want to leave because of you.”

        There was another pause. I couldn’t read his expression before he put on his cocky smirk he mastered. “That’s dangerous.” His arm swung across my shoulder and pulled me in. “I don’t want you to either.”

        “I know, I’m irreplaceable,” I boasted sarcastically. The feeling of his body against mine never failed to make me nervous. God, he was fucking hot. 

        “Yeah, you can say that…” he trailed off, before eyeing me up and down. I shoved his face away gently, scrunching my nose. “I’m still waiting for you to make a move.”

        “You can wait forever.”

        “I know you want to,” he teased. I glanced up and away with my smile twitching, clearly indulging him back.

        “Patience is a virtue,” I said.

        “BALL!!” Naruto’s voice cut through, a beach volleyball landing in front of us. The splash sent a wave over us. “My fault, lovebirds! They set up a net, wanna join?”

        It seemed like Naruto’s extroversion started a game of pool volleyball with a couple of strangers. I shook my head no and waddled my way over to Megan while Naruto pulled his best friend in before he could decline. 

        We decided to rest on the chaise loungers and go back to conversing since Naruto managed to convince the rest of the band to play. It was a great characteristic of Naruto, I don’t know how he does it.

        From where I was sitting was a straight shot view of the group of people at that cabana. My eyes could not stray from the table, and the craving was itching me again. My jaw was aching from clenching, and I debated whether or not I should walk up and ask to join them. 

        I mean, Megan still does it. I think it won’t hurt to try it again. 

        “Hey, Meg,” I tapped on her shoulder and pointed to the cabana. “Let’s join them!”

        Her eyes aligned with the direction I was aiming at, and she scrutinized closely, then her eyebrows furrowed in worry when she turned back to me. Her lips parted slightly in concern as she searched my face to determine whether I was serious.

        “I’m down, but…” Her jaw tightened subtly as she eyed the group. “Are you sure?”

        I nodded my head confidently. “It’s just this one time. We’re supposed to have fun! Living a one-in-a-lifetime event right now, let’s go all out.”

        She hesitated at my reasoning. “I know I said that in the beginning as groupies, but I don’t want to be that shit friend–”

        “You aren’t and will never be. Trust me, I’ll be okay. I mean, you haven’t had some in a while, right?” I cut her off. She was silent, then she heaved a deep sigh. 

        “Watch yourself.”

        We got up from our chairs and walked to them. Deep in my chest was a growing warmth, whether it was from excitement or liquor, didn’t matter. I could finally soothe the itch from before. 

        The silver-haired man spotted us quickly, smirking. “Two fine bitches just strolled into our haven, guys!”

        There were a redhead and a blonde that I didn’t notice before. The redhead’s face remained uninterested, lying back into the armchair. The blonde smiled wildly, waving at us. He was the one cutting up the lines with a razor. I waved back and said my hellos, trying not to look at the thick lines on the table. 

        “Would you like to join? Come sit next to Konan,” the copper-haired man said, scooting to make space, his girlfriend following. “Introduce yourself.”

        His voice was low, deep, and demanding, vibrating with intention. We sat down. “I’m (Y/N).”

        “Megan.”

        “Yahiko.” He tilted his head to the others. 

        “Name’s Hidan. You’re going to remember it by the end of the night.” The silver-haired man said whilst winking. On his neck was a necklace with a pendant of an upside-down triangle in a circle. Possibly some spiritual (or satanic) symbol. 

        “Hey, I’m Deidara. That’s Sasori. Nice meeting you.” The blonde trailed Megan with his eyes. “You’re pretty. A piece of art.” 

        Megan blushed, loosening up from the compliment. “Thank you.”

        Sasori observed me carefully, as if he were dissecting me piece by piece. I felt a little unnerved by him and avoided eye contact. But I still tried to be polite with these very… unique individuals.

        Hidan leaned in closely, right up in my space. Droplets dripped on my knee from strands of his hair that were wet. “So,” he started, voice sharp and low. “You just here to sit and look pretty, or are you trying to have fun?”

        “I’ve been having fun all night so far,” I said with a smile. “Just trying to find even more fun.”

        Konan licked the paper for the joint she was rolling, then lit it, taking a puff and passing it on to Yahiko. As he exhaled a plume of smoke, he shrugged at Hidan, like he was saying, ‘go ahead’.

        “Did you want a drink?” Konan asked, passing me a can of beer. I thanked her and accepted it, and she gave one to Megan. I opened it, wondering if it was okay for me to ask to sniff their drugs in the first place. 

        Sasori moved, and with his hands, he signaled his empty spot for me to sit in. He doesn’t talk much, but I understood. That he was offering the lines he prepped. Hidan grinned arrogantly, teeth catching light. He spoke for Sasori with persuasion. “We've got enough to pass around, baby. Don’t be shy now.”

        I took Sasori’s seat, feeling all eyes on me. No, this wasn’t persuasion. Permission.

        I leaned forward, draping all my hair over one shoulder, and dipped towards the table like I used to a dozen times before. 

        It was instant. The feeling. My heartbeat kicked, and I finished my last line. The burn climbed up my nose, making me sit straighter, as I deeply sniffed the open air. I rubbed any residue off with my finger and sat back in my original spot next to Megan. 

        Deidara whistled, impressed. “That’s good stuff, hm?”

        “Mmm,” I hummed, my thoughts racing as if trying to stay ahead of the high. “Shit’s good.”

        “Goddamn,” Hidan murmured, tongue running across his teeth. He moved to sit next to me, his arm wrapping around my waist to pull me in close. “That was real fuckin’ hot.”

        I couldn't care less about his advances. It made me feel even more invisible. I laughed without meaning to, looking up at him. He was cute when I looked closely. And his mouth was filthy. Without thinking, I said, “You too.”

        He smirked, his tongue prodding the inside of his cheek, and he lowered his hand to my hip. 

        I finally heard Sasori speak—specifically to Megan. “Want some?”

        I watched as she bit her lip, hesitating, before sighing in defeat. 

        “Just a little bit,” she said with a pinching hand gesture.  

        Deidara smiled, proud and excited. “Trust, you’ll love it. I don’t lie to beauties like you.”

        She bent forward, inhaling the coke with ease. Once it was clean, she leaned backwards, sighing in pleasure. “Wow!~ It is smooth.”

        “I told you, hm.”

        I tossed my head back, letting the metallic sweetness drip down my throat. It was rejuvenating, yet relaxing as I soaked in the feeling, trying to commit it to memory. The combination of alcohol and cocaine always hits. 

        Yahiko took a huff of the joint before passing it back to Konan. He leaned forward, elbows resting on his knees. “If you want more, just ask.”

        “Thanks for sharing,” I said, my lips going numb. “It’s expensive, isn’t it?”

        Konan beamed, her voice like gentle rain. “Don’t worry about it.”

        “We’re fuckin’ ballin’, duh. So just be entertaining and you can have as much as you want, yeah?” Hidan boasted, gripping me tighter on my hip. 

        Just like that, we were in. I was in. 

        I’m not looking back now.

Chapter Text

           Just for tonight.

           Only tonight, since the line was already crossed. One more line turned into one every fifteen minutes. The drinks in her system made the lights glitter, and voices started to echo. She couldn’t keep her mouth shut, talking and laughing along with these strangers whom she befriended over substances. Hidan poured straight vodka down her throat, and she readily let him. 

           Megan was in a slightly better state, only going along to get Kiba off her mind. She would giggle at things she didn’t get, but made sure to keep her hands to herself. Was it luck that she wasn’t addiction-prone? Her focus on her friend was diminishing as she got more and more crossed. She could only hope for her in her state. 

           (Y/N) dipped her head once again into the powder. “Fuck… It feels great.”

           Hidan howled with amusement, “Shit, you aren’t shy at all, aren’t you, babe? Just snorting your way into my fantasies.”

           “Oh, shut the fuck up, freak!” She joked, slapping his bicep playfully as she sat back down between him and her friend. 

           “Yeah, keep talkin’ dirty like that. Your lips get prettier when you use them properly.”

           “You just don’t stop, huh?” 

           “Never,” he said, sliding his hand up and down her thigh. “I’d keep ruining you even after you’re finished.”

           “You talk hella big game,” she replied, not paying much attention to his hands on her. “You gotta get in line if you want to ‘ruin’ me.”

           “Mm, look at you. Pretending as if I’m not first in line.” He grabbed her chin firmly, her eyes rolling back from her high. “You wear fucked-up real fuckin’ pretty. C’mon, princess– what else can I do to make you lose your control?”

           She twitched at the pet name for it reminded her of a certain edgy guitarist she wouldn’t admit she was falling for. “Wouldn’t you like to know?”

           He let go of her chin, licking his lips from her snarky comeback. He could see how she was getting familiar with the snow. So, he reached into Konan’s purse on the floor, pulling out a small plastic baggie containing two pills. “I think I already know how.”

           He handed her one in the curl of his palm, and she inspected it. She knew what it was. She knew, still she asked to confirm.

           He nodded, a big smile on his face as he stretched his arm behind the couch. “Good ol’ friend, Molly, baby. Pure. I know you love to roll wit’ it.”

           Her world sobered up just a bit as she stared at the capsule in her palm. Inside were pure, clear crystals. How long has it been since the last time? The hairs on her skin raised, her brain scrambling to decide whether or not to take it. She forgotten the feeling of what it was like to roll, but she knew it would feel really fucking good.

           She looked up at Hidan, already popping the other one in his mouth, like he did this every so often. And that was enough pressure for her to do the same. She dry-swallowed it, her heart racing in anxiety and excitement. 

           “That’s my girl,” he said lustfully. “It’s gonna hit like heaven’s hand between your legs.”

           “You get off on frying my brain?” 

           “You’ll thank me for it later,” he said, rubbing her shoulder. “Rock n’ roll, right, babe?”

           She giggled. Rock n’ roll, for sure.

—

           The come up was quick to come. 

           It started with her cheeks. Then her fingertips. Until it crept all through her body, a tingling warmth under her skin. The music she ignored in the background suddenly sounded amazing, and the lights glowed brighter and saturated. Her heartbeat synced with the rhythm as the air glided over her skin. The heat in Yu felt like it aimed at her groin. 

           “Fuck,” she whispered, tilting her back. Hidan brushed his hand on her thigh, and it felt right. Everything felt right. Everything felt good.

           “Ooh, it hit you, huh?” He teased, taking his time to check her out up and down fully. “Damn, your eyes are shifting fast.”

           Because it was. Her vision was shifting fast, like the world was doubled. Then her eyes rolled back, and she clenched her jaw, chewing on nothing. Strong, pure euphoria multiplied by thousands. Fuck, was all she could think. Fuck. Fuuuuck. This feels so good.

           He watched her unravel from pure pleasure, feeling like this was his chance. His hand trailed up lightly and unassumingly, and her body reacted to his touch. 

           Something tugged at her chest. A rushing panic flooded her as his hand came closer and closer, the drug was just too strong, and she wasn’t used to this. She had to leave. There was one thing that didn’t feel right.

           She stood up too fast and her knees nearly gave out. 

           “Where’re you goin’, baby?” Hidan called after her, confused and disappointed. But he couldn’t make a scene.

           She waved him off with a hand, mustering up every ounce of her strength to answer, “Restroom.”

           She stumbled toward the restrooms that were in the corner, empty and away from the crowd. She shoved the heavy door with her shoulder and propped herself on the sink with both hands. 

           There she was in the mirror, her eyes crazy, her face red. 

        “Fuck, why does it feel so different this time?” She muttered, dropping her head down to the sink. Then she realized it. Why it felt so different from the other times she had rolled with her friends and coworkers. 

        It was that pit. Deep in her stomach—a crazy, insatiable lust—she had never felt before, and it had her panting hard. She finally noticed herself getting wetter by the second, luckily unnoticeable due to her black bikini. 

        Get it together! She took deep breaths in and out, watching her chest heave up and down. If she could find someplace private, she could ride this out and enjoy it. There was a bench behind the restrooms that faced away from the party, so she could go there. 

        With half a brain and her shoulder dragging across the hallway of the restroom, she shoved the door again with her forearm. As she turned the corner of the building, she saw him—

        —with a cigarette between his lips, the only man who could make her lose control in this state—

        Sasuke.

        He turned, slowly. She froze, all reason in her brain just—gone. The heat she tried to contain rushed her entire body, and her heart was in her throat. 

        He walked up, eyes sharp and cutting, never taking them off her. “Enjoying yourself there?”

        She couldn’t take her eyes off him either, staring at his body deliberately, chest to abs, then back at his face. “Mhm… I’m.. feeling it.”

        “Yeah, I can tell…” He let his eyes trace every inch of her body, swallowing hard. This whole night was hard for him, trying to be respectful, not to check her out constantly. But, fuck, that swimsuit, it showed everything he desired. 

        And he had never seen her this drunk. Yeah, he saw her staggering and blacking out before, but this was different. She was panting, heavily, as she approached him boldly. She wrapped her arms around his neck, surprising him. “You’re being forward today–”

        “Sasuke…” His breath hitched as she breathed out his name so needily. “Please… fu..” 

        “Please what, hm?” 

        “...fuuck..” was all she could whine before she lurched forward and kissed him. She pressed her tongue to his lips and feverishly made out with him, her trembling hands gripping his hair, as if not to let him go.

        He tensed for only a second, immediately pulling her in closer by her waist and flicking his cigarette to the side. Fucking finally, she caved in. Their tongues moved messily, and he was getting more and more turned on by the minute. Her hand dropped down to grab one of his, guiding it to her breast, and his touch made her whine. 

        That was it. He squeezed and his other hand travelled all over her back and ass. The feel of her skin was so soft, there was barely any fabric on her, and the only fabric there was so thin. 

        “Now?.. Here, right now?” She whispered against his mouth. “Please?”

        She was desperate. And he was, too. He could. It was quiet, and they were at the farthest restrooms from the party. No one was around. He wanted to satisfy her desperation that she was sharing with him. 

        Sasuke pushed her against the wall, keeping their lips locked together. Then he pulled back. What he saw managed his self-restraint.

        Eyes wide and misty. Her pupils were blown out wide like the abyss. Lips were swollen, and there was a faint, white dust clinging to the curve of her nostril. She heaved erratically, gripping onto him like gravity would turn on her. She was sweating, overheating.

        His eyes cut through her like frost, only seeing a drugged-up girl who was lost and confused in life, filling an empty void. He knew those eyes, he'd seen them in the mirror, too.

        “Jesus,” he whispered in disbelief. “You’re gone.”

        She blinked, smiling slowly. “..what, I-” Her eyes rolled to the back of her head, and she hid her face deep in his chest, her arms wrapped around him as her hands felt up his back. He sighed at the feeling of her body pressed up against his. 

        He caught her eyes again, filled with need, and her mouth found his again like a magnet. He kissed her back, he’d been dying for this. Tasting every inch of her mouth, she was sweet and addictive.

        But then her fingers slid down to his pelvis, and he snapped back to reality. 

        “Fuck,” he hissed, pulling away from her. “C’mon, let’s get you back to your room.”

        “I’m fine,~” she dragged, smiling at him. He lifted her face, pushing her strands of hair back to see her face clearly. She could barely keep her eyes open, eyes fluttering.

        “Are you really?” She nodded her head like a lying kid. “No, you’re not.”

        He wrapped an arm around her waist to steady her, and she leaned into him. He guided her back to the elevators, but with her body pressed into his, the feeling of her skin, and her lips grazing the shell of his ear as she giggled cutely was pure hell. A constant test of his control and morals. 

        “I’ll tell Kiba to find and watch Megan,” he said, pulling out his phone with his other hand. “If I leave you here in the state you’re in, some guy will for sure take advantage of you.”

        They stepped into the elevator, doors closing on them.

        “You don’t wanna?” She traced down his chest with her finger, tilting her head as she looked up at him with heavy-lidded eyes.

        He clenched his jaw so tight, it was numbing him. He grabbed her wrist to stop her. “I’m. So. Fucking. Close. To.”

        She tiptoed to hover her lips to his ear and whispered, “Do it.”

        Lips brushed along his jaw, teasing him. This was her payback—

        —and he paid her.

        He caught her lips with his, frustrated. He roughly kissed her, angry at himself for wanting her so badly. Why was he like this with her? Just as needy without any pill, powder, drink, yet reciprocating hungrily with his tongue, savoring her. He kissed down her jaw to her neck, lapping at the skin clean and suckling on her sweet spot. She shivered tremendously, moaning loudly into the air as she grasped his hair in a fist. 

        “Don’t tempt me, fuck. I’m trying to be nice,” he said, his breath against the wet spot he left on her neck tingling her. “You don’t know how much pain my dick has been whenever you’re around.”

        “Let me help you out, then,” she purred, hooking a finger in his swim trunks. He grabbed her wrist again, pulling away to see her sexy ass expression. Biting her lip, her eyes eager. But they were still flickering back and forth, too far gone. 

        “No,” he said, yet his hands kept exploring her body. “I don’t count this as a win.”

        He stepped back, somehow, and took off his polo, putting her arms through the holes. He buttoned it up. “I wanna fuck the real you. So, hurry up and fall in love with me.”

        She pouted, any shame or dignity thrown away a while ago. She pressed her body into him again, and he feigned control.

        “And you better only focus on me,” he said, cupping her cheek.

        “Okay…” He smirked to himself and shook his head. She definitely didn’t know what she was saying, completely gone. 

        “You don’t have your room key, right?” He asked, but he already knew the answer. She had nothing on her. She shook her head. 

        “Meg.”

        He groaned. He didn’t have her number. His room it was then. He chuckled to himself, taking a sharp breath in. “This is a bad fucking idea.”

        “Then why does it feel so good…?” She whispered, her voice pulling him in. 

        He didn’t answer; instead, he grabbed her hand again as the elevator doors opened, not letting go the whole way to his room. She followed along, only focusing on him. She needed to feel his lips again, his hands on her body—she needed him. 

        It wasn’t like she could blame everything on the drug; she’d been thinking about this since they’d met. And god, he felt like no other. It was only him she craved more of. It was only he who felt right. Not whoever gave her the capsule, whom she already forgot about, not Gaara, not Shikamaru, it was Sasuke from the beginning. 

        The keycard beeped. The door clicked open. 

        They barely made it inside before she turned and kissed him again. She couldn't help herself from closing the space between them, her body molded to his perfectly and he definitely won’t forget it. 

        There was no way in hell he could resist her; no man on Earth would be able to resist the taste of her. He groaned, his hand knotting itself in her hair, another wrapped around her throat lightly as he pushed her against the door. 

        “Fuck, dude,” he muttered between kisses. “You really don’t have a pause button, do you?”

        “Nope,” she said with all seriousness. Her teeth dragged on his lower lip. “But you’re loving this, right?”

        “You wish,” he said, even though his hands grabbed her waist, fingers slid under the string of her swimsuit. 

        “Liar.”

        “You’re being such a brat.”

        “You’re being so stubborrnn!”

        He laughed, low and gravelly, before pulling in for another kiss. Deeper, slower, wanting to wreck her. And then he pulled away again.

        “No more,” he breathed out, hand on a wall, cornering her. 

        “You’re being mean,” she whined, really whining. She wrapped her arms around his nape.

        “Be patient.”

        “You wanna fuck me.”

        “Of course I do.” He smirked, eyeing all of her curves. He hooked his finger around the string of her bikini top, snapping it against her skin. “Do you see yourself?”

        “So, take these off.” She grinned, pulling on the elastic string of his trunks.

        He rolled his eyes, before kissing her again—dirty and barely in control—then lifted her by her waist to toss her onto the bed. He walked away, coming back to throw a t-shirt at her, leaving her unsatisfied. “Sleep. I’ll crash at Naruto’s.”

        “Come sleep with me.”

        “No.”

        “Cuddle?”

        “I know how that ends.”

        “I’ll behave.”

        He breathed in as she slipped on the shirt, making his way out the door quickly before he could hear any more filth come out of her mouth.

        But she said his name. Not demanding, not loud, not even sweet. Just soft. Every syllable was soft.

        “Sasuke.” He paused mid-step. He turned around to see her with her legs drawn up, her face that was so difficult to read when he first met her, displaying every emotion she was feeling. Worry, desperation, and pleasure. So vulnerable, she would never let herself be like this sober.

        He walked over without thinking, pushing her knees apart to kneel over her, answering whose prayer, he didn't know. She smiled nervously up at him, half-expecting what she wanted.

        One last kiss, he leaned in, slow and desperate this time. It wasn't a crash, he collapsed into her. She moaned muffled into his mouth, her hands quickly finding their way back to his hair. His hand slid under her, and he flipped her over to straddle him. Her hands explored his chest and arms as her mouth continued to move against his.

        “I want you,” she whispered, barely holding on. Her voice quivered. “I want– please–”

        “I know, but no.” He resumed back to their slow, deep kiss. It was all he could handle.

        She rocked against him, readily and seeking, selfishly setting him off. He tsked, frustrated, before grabbing her ass with both hands to grind himself deeper into her core. Sasuke groaned, low and deep, letting a hand tangle itself into her hair and pulling her down deeper into the kiss, hungry again as if she were oxygen. She gasped, whimpering from the friction of their hips moving against each other.

        This was driving him insane, she was driving him insane. This had to stop before it went too far, but damn, just kissing her was already too much. 

        He groaned deep into her mouth again. I have to stop. She swirled her tongue around his. Fuck, I gotta stop.

        He took a sharp breath and pulled away, a string of saliva following between them,  fingers tightening on her hips to still the movement she craved.

        Her eyes fluttered open, confused and almost annoyed. Her lips were red and swollen from his torment. The sight of her messy and sloppy pleased him.

        Her vision was still flickering, but she could still see him underneath her, breathless. His hair was just as messy, and a bright red was painted all over his pale skin. He swallowed, collecting himself.

        “Not like this,” he husked, his words razor-sharp. “You’re high, you don’t know what you're doing.”

        “Sasuke,” she choked. “You know I wanted this.”

        “I want you too, so fucking bad.” He swiped his thumb across her cheek. “But not like this. Even though it’s taking every single nerve in me to stop, it’s fucked up for both of us to keep going.”

        She looked up at the ceiling, then exhaled, falling on top of him in defeat. He was right. She could barely think, and her roll was still going. If they were going to fuck, she’d at least want it to mean something.

        The crazed shine in her eyes dulled. He lifted her back onto the bed, holding each other until both their breaths settled. He placed one last kiss on her temple, gentle and affectionate, before getting up and walking to the door. 

        “Sasuke?”

        “Yeah?”

        “...You taste so fucking g-”

        “Enjoy the rest of your roll, goodnight.” And with that, the door was shut.

It feels like a dream. You’re floating even though you’re glued to the couch, you don’t know exactly where you are—someone’s house you don't know who owns it, a hotel room full of people you can’t really call your friends because this was the only activity you do together—but does it really matter anymore?

Everything you can see, hear, feel—all golden. People's laughter fills the room, people are pressing close, but you don’t mind. You throw your head back in pleasure, not from sex, but pure ecstasy in the form of chemicals.

As long as there was another drink. Another line. Another dose. Take anything out of people’s hands to not break the spell. The spell that makes you say the right things and kiss the wrong people, but as long as you have this feeling, it feels right. A version of you that everyone loves, including you, all from a couple of minuscule substances.

The high never stays too long, though. 

The shakes come. Your jaw is aching from grinding it, your mouth is dry and thirsty constantly, you’re sweating profusely. Is that really you in the mirror? Your lips are peeling, your yesterday’s eyeliner is smudged, your skin has lost its color, but there's no way this was how you looked when you were so invincible an hour ago. Fuck, your nose is bleeding too. And it won't stop.

And chasing the high never works. It never feels the same as the first of the night. Yet, it’s enough to keep the itch soothed. Benders on benders, how much money did you blow on this shit? Whatever. 

But, really, remember it. All of it. The worst part of it. When it’s all done and everyone's gone, you're lying on the couch all alone. The music is still going, but it’s muffled under the numbness of your brain. The itch isn’t as strong as before, but it never really goes away. The golden filter you imagined disappeared, for the room turned grey and empty. The ceiling and walls felt far. Your nose hurts. Your eyes are dark. Everything is empty. And I mean, everything is empty. Even you. So, do it all over again. That’s the only solution you came up with. So, do it. 

There’s nobody— nobody —who would want to pull you out of this. What choice do you have?

Aren’t you so fucking tired of having to choose between feeling everything or nothing at all?

The better choice is right there. Choose it.

(Y/N)

        I shot out of bed, grabbing the sheets tightly. I woke up with cottonmouth and a pounding in my skull, my vision finally adjusting to the light. 

        An unfamiliar room, this wasn’t my hotel room, where was Meg-

        Only for a blissful second, I didn't remember. I felt around the sheets, then to the shirt I was wearing, ignoring the dull buzz of a comedown in my chest. Then it all flooded back to me like a tsunami. 

        The pool. The cabana. The coke. The molly.

        Sasuke!!

        My memory was not messing with me. I was in his room, wearing his shirt, and we nearly fucked. I never forgot anything on substances if I never blacked out. The memories of last night made my skin crawl, my face burst into flames as I couldn’t stop myself from recalling all the things I’ve said and done. 

        Then a stupid smile tugged at my lips, remembering him. All his words, his voice, his body—and his lips. I couldn't count the number of times we've kissed.

        My ears perked up at the sound of the door clicking open. There he was, walking nonchalantly like nothing had happened, with only a slightly surprised expression. “Oh, you’re up already. I got your stuff.”

        He sat down on the edge of the bed with my wallet and phone, smirking with his deep morning voice, “What’s with that look on your face?”

        Ugh. I knew I was red as a tomato. I couldn't hide it.

        “You were very bold last night. Do you remember what you said?” He asked. I nodded very slowly, wishing I didn't. “Well, now that you're sober, wanna do it? Morning sex is nice.”

        I reached behind for a pillow and threw it at him. “Shut the fuck up, Sasuke! I was just high!”

        He caught the pillow easily, laughing evilly under his breath like this was the best morning of his life. I hated his cocky ass so much.

        “Right,” he said, cocking an eyebrow. “Honestly high.”

        “You’re being mean,” I groaned, throwing myself back in bed and lifting the covers to hide my face.

        “You said that last night.”

        “Can you stop talking?”

        “You also said that I tasted so fucking g-”

        I sat bolt upright, slamming him with another pillow. “Sasuke!”

        “Alright, fine, I’ll stop,” he said, with his hands up. “I’ll just get you to repeat it, sober.”

        I lay myself back in his bed, annoyed and blushing. I pressed my fingers into my cheeks under the sheets, hoping to cool them down.

        “You kissed me five times.”

        “You said you’d drop it!” I lashed, facing him. “And you’re wrong, half of those times, it was you. And you kissed back! In the elevator! In front of a security camera!”

        He hissed inward, wincing as his gaze lazily drifted down my neck. “Did way worse than just kissing…”

        “Oh, my god. You did not give me a hickey right where everyone can see it.”

        “Oh, I totally did.” He smiled lightly, but it had smug hidden all over it. “My favorite color, too.”

        “I’m so mad at you right now,” I said, getting up to see the severity of it in a mirror, only to have him pull me back down.

        “Don’t be mad, you didn’t seem to mind last night.” He leaned in close. “You were the one climbing all over me, moaning and begging for it. I was the responsible one.”

        I rolled my eyes, standing back up. “Yeah, yeah, and you looked like a dog with a broken leash. Should have been irresponsible, you’d look good.”

        I walked to the bathroom with nothing but his t-shirt on, and my dried-up swimsuit I fell asleep in. When I finally made it inside, I closed and locked the door. 

        I rinsed my face in the sink, staring at my reflection. There it was, the deep purple hickey at the base of my neck that was going to take a lot of time to cover up. Makeup residue stuck to my features since I only rinsed with water.

        But I didn’t care. There was only one thing I could pay attention to. I relaxed my face, both hands on the sink counter as I breathed in deep, then exhaled. The craving. It was so strong.

        I have relapsed. No pretending.

        But this time was different. No crying over it. Just laugh it off, play it off, then I’m fine. I gave myself until the end of the tour to fuck around and enjoy it like before. Then I’ll get sober again.

        I showered the itch off, rinsing down the rest of my molly sweat from my body. My brain was foggy from all the substances, I think I even hit Konan’s joint once. I thought back on last night, over and over. I just took Hidan and his friends’ drugs, then dipped. No regrets, they were super fucking weird for being rich and hot.

        But most importantly, Sasuke. I touched my lips with the tips of my fingers, the heat of his lips and tongue still lingered on mine. His touch still ghosted around my body, bringing me to a haze.

        “Shit, can’t think about that naked in the shower!” I murmured to myself quietly, finishing up. 

        I stepped back into the room after putting on his t-shirt again, a towel around my hair. It smelled just like him, clean vanilla, with a smoky musk base note.

        He looked up from his phone, staring at me. I tossed the towel at his face, of course, he caught it. “Don’t stare too hard, you’ll fall in love.”

        “Too late.” I flinched a split second from his reply. He boredly went back to his phone. 

        “I was kidding,” I reassured. He just shrugged it off like a joke. “Did you text Megan I’m okay?”

        “Don’t have her number, so I texted Kiba.”

        “What he say?”

        “She’s relieved.” I waited for him to continue. He blinked, confused. “What?”

        “What else?”

        “I don’t know?”

        “Do you guys not talk about girls to each other?” I questioned, disappointed by the lack of any gossip. “Did they make up? Is she okay? Did he take care of her?”

        “I didn’t ask.”

        I sighed, “I should’ve expected that.”

        It was quiet again, and he just stared at me. “You okay?”

        “Yeah,” he replied, fast. “Just thinking.”

        I raised my eyebrows, “Scary.”

        He exhaled through his nose and stood up. “You hungover?”

        “No, not really.”

        “We're grabbing dinner later tonight and tomorrow, another club. You down to join?” He asked.

        “Mm, sure!” I beamed. Time to do it all over again.

        “Where’s your phone?” He stuck his hand out with his palm up, and I puzzledly gave it to him with the screen on. He tapped on the screen for half a second before giving it back to me.

        I looked at my phone to see his contact. “Really? You put yourself as ‘What You Need?’”

        He turned to the side, sharply inhaling exaggeratedly, “Am I wrong, though?”

        This man… I snatched his phone out of his hand, putting my number in and the contact name, then gave it back. He glanced, eyes reading it. “‘Seriously? 'ik ur smilin readin this?'”

        “Because you're gonna be so giddy every time I text you!” I smirked, proud. It was a funny one.

        He stared at the contact, his lips tight, fighting back a smile, which only made my pride grow. “See, you're already smiling and I didn't even text you!”

        “It’s cute,” he said, not long before speedily snapping a photo of me and catching me off guard.

        “What the fuck?”

        “Now I’ll smile seeing your contact picture pop up every notif from you.”

        “Man, fuck you, I’m leaving,” I grumbled, as I left towards the door. “I’ll get you back for that.”

        “I have no bad angles.”

        “I’ll make one.”

Chapter Text

SASUKE

        “Oi, Sasuke.” Naruto nudged me roughly. 

        “What?” I tsked. 

        “So, you gonna tell me why I found you in my room on the couch this morning instead of your own?” He asked, changing into a new shirt. “It’s not everyday you’d want a sleepover.”

        “Don’t make it sound weird, idiot,” I spat. “(Y/N) got too drunk and lost her keycard so I gave her my room.”

        “Caring, much?” 

        “Weren’t you the one to tell me to be nice?”

        He smiled, weirdly, like he knew more than I did. He grabbed his shoes as I continued scrolling on my phone. Honestly, there was nothing on it that interested me. It was just a way to keep my hands busy and avoid conversations. Obviously, it doesn’t work all the time. 

        “I know you’re not a piece of shit anymore, but this is a lot more than being nice,” Naruto teased, tying his shoes. “You only bring girls into your room to sleep with them.”

        I internally groaned at what he was getting at. “I’m past that now.”

        “Yeah, I know.” Naruto combed his hair in front of the mirror, before our eyes met in his reflection. “But I know you would have called Kiba and asked him to ask Megan to help her out. But instead, you went through those lengths to grab (Y/N)’s stuff for her instead of taking her back.”

        I clenched my jaw. I couldn’t tell him the state I found her in, and… what happened. “Those two were probably doing their own thing, didn’t want to bother.”

        “Man, cut the crap, Sasuke,” he scoffed. “What happened yesterday?” 

        “Nothing, holy fuck.”

        “You like her.”

        “Fuck, no,” I shot back. 

        He held his hands up defensively. “Sureeee… okay.”

        I sighed, sitting up since I was unable to avoid the conversation. She should be up by now, too. “She’s cool. But I’m not going to get into a relationship, especially with a groupie.”

        “Why not? She’s not a crazy fangirl.”

        “She’s got too many issues.” I slipped on my shoes.

        “Shit, you too.”

        “Exactly.” I stood up, darting towards the door. 

        “Hey, not so fast,” he called, but I ignored him. Before I could leave, I heard his annoying voice call out. “Give it a chance, there’s nothing in our contract that says we can’t.”

        The door closed. I shook my head to myself to get the conversation out of my mind as I walked down the hotel’s hallways to my room.

        I don’t know why he was getting to me. It wasn’t the first time he told me to ‘explore’ and get a girlfriend again, but all his words were easy to ignore. 

        I don’t know why my focus was all on her. Maybe, for once, things were more interesting when she joined. Maybe it was because she bit back at me. Maybe she’s just hot. 

        “Fuck…” I muttered to myself. I don’t know how I survived last night. Her lips were soft, and her body—I was restless. I can admit that I wanted her in that way. I thought I was bored with women, there was no joy in sex with them, it was just a distraction. I never desired any of them, because they desired me first. Or, ‘Raven’, hah. 

        But her, I wanted. I was holding onto a thread when I felt her, my last sane thread. Already, my eyes kept falling on her when we were at the pool, and when she made the first move, I nearly lost it. Everything felt right, she felt right. 

        Then I saw her eyes, and everything was wrong. 

        I knew those eyes, I drowned in them. There was no escaping it—unless you’re lucky. I was lucky. I don’t know if she was.

        God, it was frustrating how little I knew about her, and it frustrated me more that I was curious. I shouldn’t give any fucks whether or not she was doing drugs, especially in this age. Everyone does it in this industry. But, those eyes, it was like she was calling for somebody to pull her out of the abyss. 

        But what could I do? After our last show, we’ll go back to being strangers. 

        Neither of us can be attached.

        “You also said that I tasted so fucking g-” I couldn’t finish my sentence when she shot up from the bed and slammed me with the pillow she was laying on. 

        “Sasuke!” She screamed my name. It was nice hearing a girl scream my real name instead of my stage name for once. 

        I put my hands up, surrendering. “Alright, fine, I’ll stop. I’ll just get you to repeat it sober.”

        She pouted and grumbled, hiding under the sheets. I never expected her to act like this. When I first met her, she was quiet, mysterious. Always so poised and mature, but now, here she was in my t-shirt, acting so cute. She couldn’t hide her red ears.

        We were back and forth at this ‘bet’ for a while, and she's been keeping up with me so far until now. Finally, I flustered her this badly, and it was fun teasing her like this. Her reactions made my day, maybe my week. She was easy to rile up. I barely had to say anything for her voice to crack when she yelled at me. Seeing her was a breath of fresh air, I guess that's why I kept searching for her wherever we went. 

        I wanted her to face me. “You kissed me five times.”

        “You said you’d drop it!” She sat up again, her entire face in flames instantly. There it was. That's what I wanted to see. “And you’re wrong! Half of those times, it was you. And you kissed back! In the elevator! In front of a security camera!”

        With the way her hair was all messy, and the fact that she was still in my shirt, it really did look like we fucked. My eyes trailed down to the mark I left on her neck. “Did way worse than just kissing…”

        Her eyes widened in disbelief, a spark of anger flinted in her eyes that were alive compared to last night. “Oh, my god. You did not give me a hickey right where everyone can see it."

        “Oh, I totally did.” I was proud of my work. It was a deep purplish-blue. “My favorite color, too.”

        “I’m so mad at you right now.” She rushed out the bed and I grabbed her arm. 

        “Don’t be mad, you didn’t seem to mind last night. You were the one climbing all over me, moaning and begging for it. I was the responsible one.”

        She rolled her eyes at me. “Yeah, yeah, and you looked like a dog with a broken leash. Should have been irresponsible, you’d look good.”

        She stood up, the sheet falling off her, revealing her in only my shirt and her swimsuit bottoms from last night, to saunter off to the bathroom. I stared after her. 

        And muttered to myself: “Fuck.”

        This was definitely more than just a fling. I was pretty sure I interacted with this girl more than my old girlfriends. And just within two and a half weeks? Naruto’s words were getting to me. 

        My mind kept replaying last night. I was living off that high she gave me; it was going to last me for days. I still felt her lips on mine, her body on mine, the faces she was making, and, fuck, her voice. It was only fueling me to see this side of her again. Sober. I was going to see it again.

        There was another thing on my mind, though. She seemed too okay. Like there was no regret or pain. In a way, she was open and unreadable. Part of me wanted to press—ask what she’d taken, how much, from whom, who she’d been with. Another part of me wanted to see it again, the wild gleam in her eye with her crooked smile. 

        My ears caught the water stop, causing me to pull out my phone and pretend to scroll. She walked out of the bathroom comfortably, still damp with my shirt clinging to her hips and a towel in her hair. 

        Comfortably—she didn’t look ashamed or like someone who relapsed, either. It seemed like she chose it, like last night was nothing to her. And I… I don’t know how to feel about it.

        I knew girls like her before. Shit, I wrote songs about girls like her.

        But this was worse. She wasn’t asking to be saved, she made me want to. Running to her was instinct. 

        A towel flew towards my face, and I caught it in the nick of time. She caught me staring. “Don’t stare too hard, you’ll fall in love.”

        “Too late,” I said. Damn it, it slipped out my mouth. I looked back at my phone as if I was browsing, when it was just the homescreen. 

        “I was kidding,” she said. I sneaked a peek at her to see a smile on her flushed face. 

        Are either of us really kidding?

Chapter Text

(TW: DRUG USE!!! c*caine, k*tamine) (SA!!! attempted roofie/date r*pe drug) (Although fiction: please be cautious of your surroundings and consumption in environments like these scenarios; do not take anything from strangers and check here for harm reduction information)

        “You sure you’re up for it tomorrow?” Sasuke asked beside me. The restaurant noise faded into the background. His voice pulled me back to reality, to the table. The buzzing in my head disappeared.

        “Yeah, sure. Hopefully, I’m not waking up in yesterday’s eyeliner again and waking up in my own bed this time.” My plate wasn’t appetizing anymore, but I still fed myself. “Don’t want you babysitting me again.”

        “Hn. Babysitting?”

        “You know, carrying incoherent girls home and tucking them in like a parent.”

        “I only do it when they ask nicely,” he retorted, giving me a look like I asked nicely. Funny. Don’t remember asking. 

        “I’ll try to behave.”

        He hummed. “I thought you gave that up last night.” 

        I forced another bite into my mouth to make time to find the words to say. I leaned back in my seat as I chewed. I swallowed hard. 

        “I didn’t give it up.” I took a sip of my water. “Just paused it.”

        The others were distracted by their own conversations. Before this, Megan bombarded me with questions, asking if I was okay, what happened, if Sasuke and I did anything, all that stuff. But most importantly, if I relapsed. I lied. I couldn’t make her worry about me when she had Kiba running through her mind. 

        So far, it seemed good between those two. 

        Sasuke poked his cheek with his tongue. After a moment, he said, with a low voice, barely a tease, “Then maybe I’ll be your pause button tomorrow.”

        I tried to act unfazed as I looked at him—really looked—to see if he was joking. No, he wasn’t. I knew I was in trouble. Because tomorrow?

        I wanted to do it all over again.

        Nothing had changed. It was inevitable. The music blared louder, the room was darker, and the flashing strobe lights were calling me again. I couldn’t deal with the cravings around them, and somehow, I split off from the group to maybe drink off the want in my chest for powder. 

        The want to pop pills again. 

        Being in this environment was triggering it further, but I couldn’t say no. I didn’t want to say no. I knew why I wanted to come here. 

        Clink! I slammed the shot cup down after gulping it. It doesn’t wash away the need. I could only imagine how good a line would feel with it. Or how great molly would be when the strobe lights were cutting through fog machines with flashes of color, and the bass and the kicks vibrating within me. Ah. This was a messy club. Bodies on the dance floor were pressed tight together, shoulder to shoulder. 

        Dancing with him high would feel amazing. But I can’t let him see me like that again. 

        Him. Sasuke. Fuck, I don’t know what to think about him; whether his kindness was real or not. I just know my desire for him rose from that night, but if I go that far, I don’t know how I’ll feel. 

        I searched around the room for any signs of them near me, but the floor was crowded and foggy. I lost sight of them.

        “You don’t look like you're having fun,” a voice said behind me. I turned around to see a man—tall, older, and expensive. An empty smile. His hair was slicked back and thinning, and he had on a dress shirt that was unbuttoned low. 

        He slid into the seat next to me, calling for the bartender. 

        “Let me buy you a drink, what do you want?” He offered. I rolled my eyes, but didn’t leave. 

        “Manhattan straight up,” I replied. “Buying me a drink isn’t going to make me have fun, by the way.”

        He chuckled, amused at my attitude, then ordered my drink for me. “You heard the girl, a Manhattan straight up, top-shelf.”

        Top-shelf? I thought to myself. Spending that much on a drink for me?

        “Name is Danzo, and yours?” He introduced himself with a strange smile. 

        “(Y/N).” The bartender handed me my drink. I took a sip, tasting the quality whiskey down my throat. 

        Danzo leaned closer. “It’s good?”

        I nodded, flashing a polite smile. “Thank you.”

        The atmosphere shifted quickly with his next words. “I know something to help you have fun, if you come to my table.”

        He pointed to the dark corner near a velvet couch and a low glass table full of people I didn’t know, all older and sharper than me. They all were sweating, with dilated pupils, laughing loudly at anything the other was saying, with keys in their hands. Quickly, I knew what he was hinting at, and I quickly agreed. 

        I couldn’t walk away. My mind was focused on one thing only, to feel on top of the world again. And I knew this man had money for good coke, I wasn’t worried about it being laced. 

        I sat down at the table, my excitement rising. He smiled like he knew as he tapped out two neat lines on a mirrored tray with practiced fingers, before passing me a rolled-up, hundred-dollar bill. 

        The heat hit in the first line. I felt the rush immediately, then the rush as I cleared my nose by sniffing the air. It satisfied what I was craving. 

        But the second line, I fucked up. I should have asked what he poured out. That wasn’t coke. The insides of my nose burned from the roughness of whatever white powder that was. The drip tasted worse, so fucking bitter. 

        “What the fuck was that?” I spat out, immediately standing up to get away. He pulled me back down by my arm.

        “Don’t worry, sweetheart. I’m sure you had K before,” he said, sliding an arm around my shoulder. “The feeling will remind you soon.”

        Fuck, K? As in ketamine? I should have asked what it was; that should’ve been a red flag. I only took it twice, knowing it kicked me a bit too hard both times. 

        My vision started doubling, like I was ten times drunker than before. I placed my drink down on the table before I spilled it, nearly missing it completely. All my movements were sloppy and slow. 

        “How does it feel?” Danzo directed my chin to face him. I could barely make out his voice and face. His fingers felt rough, and he was getting handsy, but I had no strength to resist. 

        But it did feel good. It felt nice. “It’s nice. A bit too much for me.”

        “It’ll settle down in twenty minutes or so, just go with the flow,” he comforted. The others at the table were just as gone or off the wall as I was. I would weakly laugh at what they were saying, but would forget it in a couple of seconds. 

        Twenty minutes passed, and my reality was coming back to me. The taste of both substances was stuck deep in my throat, and I couldn’t swallow it away. I tossed my head back, hoping that swallowing my saliva at that angle would help.

        He handed me my drink as if he knew what was troubling me. “I bought you this so you have something to chase it down. Drink.” 

        I took it, no questions. 

        “That’s my girl,” he said, sickly sweet, grinning like he’d already won. My mind was already too clouded to cringe at his pet name, too focused on the feeling and the lights. 

        I tried to focus on the people around me. Models with blown-out hair and glitter smudged on their eyelids and men in bomber jackets and shades indoors to hide their eyes, cuddled up next to them. God, it was a sausage fest.

        “Feeling better?” He asked, sliding a hand down my back. I nodded, my eyes fluttering. 

        “See? Feels good to let go.”

        I hate that he was right. Nothing mattered besides the music and the bass. My chest wasn’t tight anymore. 

        I floated for what felt like hours, time slowing down around me, while my body was moving fast. 

        Too fast. Wait. 

        Suddenly, my body shifted. Off-balance. Dizzy. The floor tilted even though I was sitting down. Faces started fusing together, and my body felt like a stranger. The blissful buzz melted into something heavy and slow. Wasn’t the K supposed to be gone by now?

        “Whoa—” I slurred. The room was spinning too fast and in jerky loops. “This feels…”

        “Shh, you’re okay,” Danzo whispered, his hand touching my cheek. Something in his voice changed. I flinched away, forcing myself to stand up, too quickly. I almost fell.

        Fuck, I fucked up. “The bathroom— where?”

        “Want me to help you?” he said, too close to where I could feel his breath. 

        I shook my head rapidly and pushed past him, losing myself in the fog machine before he could run after me. 

        “Bathroom… bathroom…” I murmured repeatedly in an attempt to remind myself of my goal as I fought the feeling off and navigated.

        I stumbled into the empty bathroom and into the biggest stall, poorly locking the door before I collapsed to my knees. I crawled my way to the wall to lean on as the numbness in my toes crept up to the rest of my body. 

        This wasn’t coke. This wasn’t ketamine. This wasn’t molly. I knew my body, and this wasn’t it. I got roofied.

        I need to text someone… I reached for my phone. Megan. I need Megan. 

        The screen was too blurry. I could barely keep my head up. I think the last person I texted was Megan, right? I clicked on the first contact on my list, letting my thumbs’ muscle memory type a message.

        Shit, my vision was doubling fast. Something wet streamed down my face, and my stomach was starting to hurt. 

        The last thing I thought to myself before I blacked out—

        I’m so fucking stupid.

SASUKE

        “That girl said I have ‘golden retriever energy.’ Is she flirting with me or calling me a dog?” Naruto asked.

        Shikamaru, who was lying back in the seat, smirked. “Definitely flirting. Golden retrievers get all the attention, and they’re too dumb to notice.”

        Naruto scowled. “You calling me dumb?”

        “Bro, if the tail fits…” Kiba laughed, his arm around Megan to keep her up and awake. She was very drunk.  

        Gaara sipped his drink, his voice monotone as always. “You’re more like a chihuahua, honestly.”

        Everyone erupted in laughter except Naruto. I tuned out of the conversation due to too much on my mind. Well, there was only one thing that occupied my whole mind. (Y/N). Like always. 

        She kept splitting off from us, even from Megan, lately. I don’t know what she was thinking anymore. I only came to this club for her, waiting for her to dance with me. Not to hear these guys make stupid ass jokes that I already hear every day.

        I combed my hair with my hand to get it out of my face. This club was stuffy. And the music was shitty. I took a sip of the beer I was nursing on, but the taste was bland, like this was their backstock for months. 

        After tasting her lips, nothing could beat it. After she gave me a taste, I gave up on the bet. Half the bet. The next time she gave me a sign, I was taking it.

        I hummed quietly, the music playing over it. She was running through my mind nonstop, I wanted it to stop. My hand in my pocket was wrapped around my phone, itching to text her where she’d go. I was starting to feel twitchy over her. 

        “Ugh…” I groaned. I leaned back against the couch. Where the fuck was she? I saw her slither to the bar, and then she was gone. I squinted through the smoke on the dance floor. Not there. I checked the other tables, all of them, even the ‘glass’ tables. Not there. 

        She wouldn’t have left, would she? Call a taxi back to the hotel with no warning, or wander off drunk in the heat? No, she’s not weird or stupid.

        Something was itching at me, like the air shifted. There was a knot in my gut I couldn’t ignore. 

        Then my hand felt my phone buzz. 

        Her contact picture and her stupid contact name. I frowned, thumbed it open.

Ik ur smilin readin this: hjelp meg bathroddm plsdss fffffffff

        I was already moving before I finished reading the gibberish, ignoring any of the guys’ questions on where I was going. I shouldered through the crowd, not giving a shit if I was rude. Someone cursed at me for shoving them too hard—fuck them. 

        Something was wrong. Nothing was stopping me from beelining towards the bathroom. 

        I went in without care, my stomach dropping as the dread settled in. I pushed every bathroom stall that was unlocked, only to see it empty. 

        Besides the last stall that was locked. I knocked. 

        No response.

        I called out to her. “(Y/N)?” 

        Still, no response. But still, I heard her. Her staggered breathing I memorized. 

        I shouldered the door, hard, three to four times until the lock broke and opened. 

        There she was. Curled in the corner with her phone loosely held in her hand, the screen still on, displaying her message, and her body slumped uncomfortably. Her head lolled against the tile, her makeup smeared and streaked down with tears, dress ridden up her legs, lips parted like she tried to say something before blacking out. She looked ruined. 

        “Hey, hey, what happened?” I said, crouching down beside her, brushing a strand of hair away from her face. No response besides a soft, broken sound. My chest tightened, feeling useless. “It’s me, you texted me.”

        I lifted her gently, checking her pulse on her neck and wrist with two fingers to make sure she was breathing, even though I knew she was. It was too fast and shallow. 

        I picked her up and got the hell out of there. She didn’t fight it, just melted right into me, her head against my chest. That was the only thing helping me not panic. People were staring, but said and did nothing. What did I expect?

        Crazy enough, their faces were proud. Someone whistled. Someone laughed. All of them were fucking disgusting. 

        I ignored them. Didn’t look at them. There was only one thing in the world right now worth looking at. 

        And I looked at her the whole night. While walking out of the club, calling a taxi, and then waiting for it. While setting her down and buckling her up. 

        She was slumped against me, head on my shoulder, and turned just enough that I could still see her face. I could see the leftover coke residue on her nostril again, but I knew it wasn’t the only thing that was in her system. I kept my arm behind her shoulders to keep her steady if the taxi hit any bumps. Not a single time did she stir. Only breathed slowly as the city moved outside, as normally, neon, indifferent, and cold, like it didn’t give a shit what happened to her. 

        I fucking hated this. How easily it pulled her in. How easy it was to be surrounded by strangers who didn’t give a shit if she lived or died. I knew how it was, I’ve been there before. Only for her, it was their goal for her to end up in their bed and die. 

        I don’t even know if she’d care. So reckless, it was making my teeth ache. So wild, and didn’t care who was watching. She turned her pain into performance, wearing the high like perfume, like it made her interesting.

        But it just made her look small. Right now, she was small and beaten down by whatever the fuck she was running from.

        And I knew her text wasn’t meant for me. She didn’t ask for me, yet I still came. What does that say about me?

        I wanted to take her to the hospital, still do. But knowing she was doing blow earlier, happily, they wouldn’t take her seriously. Her drug use might end up in her medical records.

        I kept this secret. 

        I took her back to mine. Because someone had to, and always, that someone was me.

        Not once did she open her eyes as I carried her up. Her warm cheek pressed against my shoulder, and her body was radiating heat. It felt so natural holding her. Like I’d done this before. Like I’d do it again. 

        I laid her down delicately on my bed, kicking my shoes off, and sat next to her just to… stare. She seemed to be more peaceful now. 

        I dampened a warm cloth from the bathroom and knelt beside the bed. I started slowly wiping her makeup off, starting with her lashes first. Then her foundation was cracking near her cheeks from crying. She never flinched as I swept over the hollows of her cheeks or grazed her jaw. She breathed softly, trusting me. 

        I wish she didn’t.

        I hesitated when I reached her lips. Her lipstick was smeared to her jaw, faded at the corners. The shade reminded me of a grapevine, a natural burgundy that made her seem bold and dangerous. 

        But right now, the color made her seem helpless. No flirting, no performing. Just vulnerable. I finally pressed the cloth to her mouth, and my stomach twisted. I wiped the color away in one pass. 

        I didn’t move for a while, just sat there staring at her bare mouth. It was pale and dry.

        I set the cloth aside and brushed her hair out of her face, my fingers catching on tiny knots from her dancing, partying, whatever. She hated having messy hair and would always brush it first thing when waking up on the bus. 

        I combed her hair, starting from the bottom. As gently as possible. Outside was still loud, people in the hallways were just coming home themselves from their plans, drunk laughter and yells echoing. Yet, in this room was just her broken, soft breaths and my loud heartbeat. 

        Too much of her reminded me of myself. Reckless and numb. I understood it. It was hard seeing it again. 

        After getting most of the knots out of her hair, I took off her jewelry one by one. Her rings, bracelets, her earrings. Her necklace, a simple, thin silver chain with a sterling silver star. My mind flashed the memory of the sapphire necklace she tried on. 

        I didn’t let myself think about why I remembered that.

        I laid everything on the nightstand beside her phone. I stood up, starting to leave. 

        I froze in my tracks when her fingers found the edge of my sleeve and tugged. I looked back, and she was barely awake with her eyes half-lidded. 

        Her voice cut through the silence, her vocal cords cracking. “Don’t go.”

        “You should sleep,” I assured, the words barely coming out. 

        She closed her eyes and shook her head as her lips trembled. “Sasuke, please… don’t leave me alone…”

        Fuck me, I couldn’t walk away from that. Not when she was calling out for me like that. Not when she said it like a confession and a dare at the same time. I sat back down, getting under the sheets next to her, and pulled them up to cover both of us.

        I lay next to her, fully clothed, letting her curl into my chest like it was nothing. Her hand fisted my hoodie, anchoring herself as if she was scared that she'd get lost. I wrapped my arm around her, pulling her in so she could feel safe. 

        Her breath slowed down and became full. She fell asleep within minutes.

        I was wide awake, eyes open, and my heart raced. The scent of her hair wafted through my nose. I stared at the window outside and whispered to myself:

        “Fuck.”

Chapter Text

        The light peered through the blinds and onto my eyelids, waking me up. My body was as heavy as stone. It felt like I was asleep for days, enveloped in warmth not from sweaty bodies at the club or from the artificial chemicals of substances. I was wrapped in the warm comfort of cotton and the radiating heat of arms. 

        Arms? 

        I lifted my head off Sasuke’s chest to stare at his face, whose left eye peered open, stirring from all of my movement. My eyes finally adjusted to the room that wasn’t mine. 

        “You finally up?” he groggled. Panic rushed through me as I tried to piece together why I ended up here. 

        “Did we…” I trailed off, scared to even finish my question. My skin flushed even hotter. 

        “No, we didn’t, I wouldn’t do that,” he said. I let out a sigh. He was fully clothed, I should have noticed. He reached with his hand to feel my forehead. “You seem disappointed. Did you want something to happen?”

        “Oh, shut up.” I sat up. A splitting headache attacked me immediately, and I groaned in pain. My throat felt raw, my mouth was dry, and my entire body was sore. Slowly, my delayed memories were catching up to me. Tears welled up in my eyes, and I couldn’t tell if it was from the pain or shame. Both.

        “Are you feeling alright?” Sasuke’s voice dug deep, and his question only made me struggle to fight back the tears. “Do you remember what happened last night?”

        “F-fuck, um…” I stuttered while trying to find the words. Everything was broken into pieces from confusion and pain, scattered so far, it felt unreachable. “That guy. He ordered me a drink, a-and I saw the bartender hand it to me. He offered me lines, so I… fuck, I put my drink down, and then I… I don’t even remember his name.”

        “Don’t remember. I already called, and they caught him on video. He’s gone.” Sasuke sat up as well, rubbing his eyes awake. “Can you explain how it felt?”

        I parted my lips to answer, but only a shaky breath was let out. I thought I could handle anything with my tolerance, but the feeling of the roofie kept haunting my soul. To be so lost and confused, to black out with no memory of anything, this was true fear I was feeling. 

        In my peripheral vision, I saw Sasuke watching me, either waiting for an answer or observing. And I broke. 

        “I’m so fucking stupid,” I croaked. Even when the tears were pouring out, I tried to keep up my facade, holding back my sobs. 

        He brushed a strand of hair behind my ear. “No, you’re not.”

        “You don’t have to lie to make me feel better,” I said, grabbing his hand from my face and settling it down on my lap. His hand fitted into mine perfectly, so I didn't let go. His lips were pulled into one tight line, reluctant to speak. His eyes, I couldn’t read them once again. Whether it was sympathy, empathy, or pity, it flooded me with shame. “How did I let it get this far?”

        My chest welled up again with mixed emotions, and I turned my face away before he could see, pulling my hand away from his. Pathetic. So pathetic. I pressed my palm to my eyes to wipe away my tears and whispered, “God, I hate crying.”

        He didn’t say anything for a second, and I was glad. The more he asked if I was okay, the more I realized I wasn’t. I can’t handle knowing that. 

        I heard him shuffle beside me, then felt his arm wrap around my shoulder, pulling me in with uncertainty. His chin rested on top of my head, my head was on his chest once again, and his hand awkwardly petted my hair. 

        It was very awkward. He was terrible at comforting, and I knew because I could hear him inhale deeper and weirdly, and his arm sporadically jerked in hesitation. Maybe it was awkward since I was finally sober in his arms. 

        And since I was finally sober and awake in his embrace, I could feel everything. Every inch of him, from the thud of his heart against my cheek, and the silence that pressed between us. It was different from other nights, hazy and primal, when it was in the heat of the moment. This time it was a choice between us, his choice to pull me in, my choice to stay. This time, I was painfully aware of us, of how fragile this moment is.

        I allowed myself to cry, but held back so as not to make a mess of his shirt. Or because I still couldn’t trust his comfort. Either way, it benefited both of us.

        “Do you think I was asking for it?” I whispered, though, asking myself. “I walked into that.”

        “No. Don’t ever say that shit again,” he replied instantly, his bluntness cut through the fog in my brain. “It wasn’t your fault. You wouldn’t have known regardless.”

        I nodded, even if I didn’t believe it completely. But his sureness soothed me. I let the silence return, softer this time. His thumb brushed my shoulder, then stilled in my hair, curling slightly to brush a section. 

        After I calmed down, I was ready to answer his original question. “I consciously took coke and ketamine, and then after that passed, he handed me my drink. Thirty minutes later, I felt hot and cold at the same time, dizzy and disoriented, confused, and I blacked out. I don’t remember making it to the bathroom, but I’m glad I did.”

        “Yeah, you were out like a light when I found you,” he said. “Well, you didn’t yak on me, or when we got home, so it’s not GHB. You feel like you need to go to the hospital?”

        “No, it just feels like the worst hangover right now. If they caught him, then I don’t need to go.” I breathed in, shaky but grounded. “...You know your stuff.”

        He sharply inhaled. “Well, yeah, I’m just like you.”

        “That makes me feel better.” I furrowed my eyebrows in curiosity. Maybe he had people try to spike his drinks since he’s famous? I decided not to pry into it.

        We continued to awkwardly hug. No more words, just silence. No flirting, teasing, no jokes. As my shame dissipated, my embarrassment grew. Twice. Twice, he has taken care of me. No one else in the band has gone out of their way to find me, it was always him running up to me. Yet, he acted so guarded still, I wonder what was going through his head. Even now, I wonder. Did he feel forced to comfort me? Every stroke of his hand was small and hesitant. And he was really warm. 

        Warmer than usual? 

        He coughed to break the silence. There was nothing to clear in his throat. His eyes moved back and forth between me and the floor. “U-um, I’m going to get some electrolyte water for you in the lobby. Did you want anything else?”

        I shook my head. 

        “Can you not tell anyone else, by the way?” I asked. “Especially Meg, I don’t want her to worry.”

        He frowned, disagreeing with my decision, but nodded his head. “Stay here, then. All of them are about to leave to get dinner.”

        “Dinner?!” 

        “You were knocked out for half a day, understandably. Can you eat?”

        “I don’t think so…”

        His lips pressed into a thin line, a common expression I realized he makes, as he scratched the back of his head. He tentatively muttered, “I could take you out to eat later. When you feel like it… or something.”

        I smiled. Then blinked, slowly. “Do they know I’m… in your room?”

        “Yes.”

        I narrowed my eyes. “What did you tell them?”

        He smirked, the kind that infuriated me. “You scared?”

        I clicked my tongue and rolled my eyes. “Perv.”

        “I just said you got too wasted and lost your room key. So I brought you back here and slept on the floor.”

        “Hah, you obviously didn’t,” I called out. 

        “You ask me not to.” ..What?

        I stared at him, dumbfounded. “You’re lying.”

        “I’m not,” he said, completely serious. “You told me to stay.”

        And I could tell—he was not bluffing. There was no hint of sarcasm or jokes in his tone, and he only looked at me like that when he was telling the truth. Heat surged up my neck, and I threw myself back into bed, turning my back away from retreat.

        “We’re done talking about this now, goodbye!” 

        He chuckled. “Byee.”

        Before his feet stepped out the door, I whispered, “Sasuke?”

        He paused. “Hm?”

        “Thank you.”

        There was a skip of silence before I heard a small, unconfident breath. “Yeah.”

        The door clicked shut, and I relaxed into the sheets, my chest feeling tight again—but it felt full. 

3RD POV

        “Ramen? You too?” Sasuke queried at the girl walking next to him. It took her about an hour to get her shit together and gain an appetite, and when asked what she wanted to eat, it just had to be the same shit his best friend always dragged him to. 

        She shrugged, tucking her hands into the pockets of his short-sleeved hoodie she was wearing. “It’s not my favorite, but I need soup. You don’t like it?”

        “Had it too many times ‘cause of that ramen-obsessed idiot.”

        She smirked. “And you go every time?”

        “Every time.”

        “Just admit you secretly like ramen. Wouldn’t kill you.”

        He gave her a sideways glance. The hoodie was too big for her, covering her shorts completely. She wiped the leftover makeup off from the night before and tied her tangled hair up to deal with later. But at least, she gained a spark again. 

        “You have energy to be annoying again already?” He kicked a loose pebble ahead of him as they walked in sync, slow, close, but not touching. 

        “You missed it, I know that because you offered,” she said, nudging his elbow lightly. He allowed it. “You could have gone to eat with them, you know?”

        “Didn’t want to leave you alone,” he said bluntly, surprising her. The words slipped out of his lips before he could realize how intimate it sounded. He quickly added, “They’ll survive without me. You, however, will starve if I leave you.”

        “Oh, please. You’re lucky I’m walking this far for soup. My legs feel like jelly from the trauma right now, but since you wanted to take me to dinner so badly—” She dramatically leaned into him, looping her arm through his. “Support me. Physically, this time.”

        He glanced down at her arm, trying to find the words to reply—but he didn't pull away. He wondered why her touch was making him nervous. They went way further than this, yet her action was evoking an unfamiliar response he doesn’t remember feeling. He felt protective, like he was needed and not wanted. 

        “How far left?” she asked. 

        “About three minutes, cross the street.”

        They paused at the crosswalk. A few cars passed by that filled the silence between them. She laughed suddenly, surprising him.

        “What?” he asked.

        “Thanks, by the way. For not leaving.”

        “I never planned to.” The light signaled them to cross. As they walked, the neon sign of the ramen spot came into view. 

        “You didn’t have to carry me back to your room, you know.” There was still guilt left in her for ruining his night and worrying him. She never wanted to drag him into her mess.

        “Didn’t trust anyone else,” he reasoned. “Done it once, and would do it again.”

        She stayed silent until they reached the other side of the street. Then quietly, “I know you wouldn't, but, you could’ve… taken advantage.”

        He stopped dead in his tracks. Indefensible, but firm. “I’ve had chances.”

        A pause. She felt the weight of his eyes on her. “Didn’t feel right then. Sure as hell didn’t feel right now.”

        He continued walking to their destination, guiding her gently. She opened her mouth, a ghost of her breath slipped through her parted lips, then she closed it—with no reply. She slowed beside him, the tension setting down on her hard. Her eyes fell to his open hand, and she almost hooked her pinky with his––but the entrance to the restaurant was already in front of her feet. 

        The bell jingled above the door as they stepped in. The place was small and cozy with only a few booths and a counter, with natural oaks, and the smell of thick tonkotsu broth filled the air. It was empty, with only a couple of stragglers and couples, and none of them were being rushed to leave.

        The host greeted her customers eagerly. “For two?”

        Sasuke just nodded once and mumbled a half-assed ‘mhmm’, making (Y/N) feel slight second-hand embarrassment from his frankness. Well, she also couldn’t blame him, for he had to stay unrecognizable from the public as much as possible if he didn’t want to deal with fans. 

        He wasn’t wearing any shades today, but he did have a hoodie on with his hood covering parts of his face in the warm night of Yu. She noticed earlier his small sigh of alleviation when they stepped into the restaurant with the AC blasted at full strength. She liked to think that he gave her his short-sleeved hoodie over his comfort. 

        The host told them to take any empty seat, and he made way to the booth at the back corner. Her mind was still racing over the course of events in her life within the timespan of the tour. She followed the man in front of her, and suddenly, he never looked so human until now. Her first impression of him was a douchebag rockstar, and she wasn’t totally wrong. But most of those kinds of rockstars had no morality, or their morals were a sense of false justice that only benefited them, fueling their superiority complex. 

        But, Sasuke wasn’t like that. He was way short of perfect, but he stayed true to himself. Even when he was rude and annoying—when he had that blank face that was impossible to read, that made her want to strangle him—he was grounded. So grounded, like he made peace with his own flaws, and only respected people who respected that part of him. His actions spoke for him, and his silences even louder.

        He slid into the booth first, his eyes instinctively scanning the restaurant like he was checking for threats or the fastest exits. She took her seat across from him and leaned back, not sure where else to look, so her head was just aimed down at the table, admiring the wood grain and its pattern.

        The waitress came by and took their order. She went with miso ramen, something light and rich in sodium to help her hangover. He ordered plain ol’ tonkotsu ramen, the first thing on the menu. The waitress left, and there was a lull. 

        She rested her chin in her hand and looked at him, finally starting a new conversation. “You always sit with your back to the wall?” She smirked lightly. “Planning for an ambush?”

        “I plan for everything.”

        “Okay, ‘Raven, ’” she said teasingly. “Did you come up with that name, by the way? If so, that’s total eyeliner energy.”

        “You’re going to drag that nickname to the ground now, huh?”

        “Of course, it’s a great nickname. Did you come up with it before or after the tattoos and piercings?”

        His lips twitched, and he licked his upper teeth, concealing a laugh. He let out the smallest, strained exhale, which she caught, and he took a sip of his water to cover it.

        “You laughed! I heard it, don’t hide it, Raven.” She dragged the name, sing-songing it. 

        “You’re hearing things,” Sasuke lied, amused. There was a beat of silence as their banter settled.

        Then, with his voice low. “Call me by my name.”

        Her teasing smirk faltered a little, not because he was upset—he wasn’t—but it was the way he said it. Direct, like he was asking for himself. Her eyes flicked up to his, and her heart was beating slightly faster as he stared at her, like he was waiting to hear it.

        Softly, but still playfully, “Sasuke.”

        She caught the flicker in his expression as he sat back straight with a faint smirk. “Better.”

        “Is the other too embarrassing?”

        “No,” he huffed. “I just like how it sounds when you say it.”

        She couldn’t tell if he was flirting or being truthful. Whichever it was, it still landed, since she covered her blush by sipping her water. 

        Their meal was placed in front of them, hot steam rising from the surface of the broth. They eat quietly at first, letting the sounds of their utensils and occasional slurp fill the silence. For once, she had nothing to say, no icebreakers, no comments, no questions. 

        Sasuke, however, had a nagging itch to ask her one question that had been on his mind for a minute. He wasn’t sure how to weave it into a conversation and make it seem like he wasn’t trying to pry. Finally, without looking up from his soup, he asked, “Feeling better?”

        “Better than before.” She looked up at him. “Thanks again. You’re not really who I thought you were.”

        “Yeah? What’d you think of me?”

        “Eh… Rude. Cold.” She puckered her lips to the side. “An asshole.”

        He snorted lightly. “You aren’t wrong.”

        “Yeah, I know,” she agreed. “But you also got a soft side to you that you won’t admit. Always keeping an eye on everyone in the shadows.”

        Only on you, he thought to himself before wiping it away from his mind. He hummed as a response. Another lull settled in, but comfortable. Maybe this was his chance.

        “You do it often?” He started, not liking how forward he sounded. 

        She blinked. “Do what?”

        “Party like that. Whatever you were on.”

        She stopped, chopsticks hovering over the bowl. She knew what he was getting at, what he wanted to really ask. 

        “I did,” she said, melancholy. “In the restaurant industry.”

        He nodded, allowing her to continue. “Then I quit, and it was better. Until now.”

        Sasuke clenched his jaw before asking, “Do you still want to do it?”

        Ah, the question she’s been asking herself. She scanned him, gauging his lack of judgment. He seemed to be asking out of concern instead of judging her.

        “I don’t know. Probably not.” She shrugged, keeping it nonchalant. “I think getting drugged beyond what I know and almost getting kidnapped woke me up.”

        They met eyes. She softly continued, trusting him more, “It scared me more than I thought it would. I’m glad it was you who found me.”

        He took a deep breath, like he was relieved. 

        “I’ll stick to legal substances for a while. Like soup,” she said, sipping some broth from her spoon. 

        “Good choice,” he simply added.

        They finished their meal and left the restaurant, the door shutting behind them with a chime. The night was cooler now, but still humid. 

        “That hit the spot. Thanks for paying, you didn’t have to,” she said.

        He scoffed. “If I don’t, I’d look like a broke asshole.”

        “Wow, you care about looking like an asshole?”

        “I care about not looking broke.”

        “Right,” she dragged, rolling her eyes. 

        They reached the resort, stepping in the elevator to her floor, side-by-side and quiet. When they reached her floor, he walked her to her room, and she reached to knock on the door to get Megan to open it. 

        Before she made any contact, he called out, “Hey.”

        She turned around with a confused face. “Yes?”

        “You sure you’re going to be okay?” 

        “Mhm. I feel better. Thanks to you.” 

        He nodded, but his lips were pressed into a tight line—something she noticed about him when he was unsure.

        She teased gently, “Gonna worry about me all night?”

        “Maybe,” he murmured. She smiled at that, her cheeks becoming warm to the touch. She doesn’t say anything to that, just knocked and called for Megan, who opened the door quickly (and excitedly), thanking Sasuke for bringing her friend back safely.

        “Night, Sasuke.” She stepped inside.

        “Night.”

        The walk back to his room was silent, and in his room was even more cutting silence. He tossed his keycard on the table and sat on the edge of the bed, elbows on knees. The memories of the night replayed in his mind, from her laugh, her voice whenever she said his name, and her warmth when she relaxed into him.

        Now she was safe. Now they can just forget about this and go back to being annoying, bantering friends.

        He lay down and stared at the ceiling in the silent room. But for some reason, the absence of her breathing beside him was loud as hell.

Chapter Text

        Three days passed since she last talked to him alone, for the band had rehearsals almost everyday after they said their goodnights. No one noticed the change between them, especially the change in her. Maybe they saw it as a good thing, that she hasn’t picked up a drink and opted for water and soda every practice and dinner. She was quieter than usual without her social liquid, and she definitely wanted to fix that. 

        But every time she tried to pick up a glass, just to have one small drink, the memories of that night replayed in her mind like a harsh ripple. She thought this was a sign that she should drink less, learn to have fun without it, but the feeling of exclusion was slowly overwhelming her when everyone would clink their glasses and cheer at the end of every practice creeping up to the big day. 

        There was one person who noticed, and it was Sasuke. He noticed how every time she would reach to pick up her glass, her hands would tremble yet her face would be blank with such a peaceful expression. His eyes marked the level of her drink in her glass, noting down that she wasn’t even sipping it. And every time he wanted to look her in her eyes, hers were always locked on to her glass, keeping watch like a hawk. 

        Sure, she was a heavy drinker so this should be a good thing, but they were both young and in their twenties, and that was the normal age to get fucked up and party. And seeing her so tense was making him uneasy. So tense and afraid, even around them, around him. And he knew why and that it wasn’t his fault, but it sure felt like shit when it felt like she couldn’t trust them enough to drink again. Trust him.

        She seemed dry, nearly drained in her interactions, her laughter falling short and ending with a sigh right at the very end like it took so much energy to laugh. He didn’t know that the only time she could drink in peace was when she lounged around in her hotel room with his shirt she borrowed that night. It stopped smelling like him long ago, her scent mixed in with the sea salt air has overtaken his scent, but it gave her a strong sense of safety, enough to wind down with white wine when they get home from rehearsal. 

        Time flew by fast and it was already the day of the concert. The stage was set up on the beach, where the audience can see the sunset forming with the ocean with palm trees swaying. It had the vibe of an outdoor music festival, lively and tropical, and those who were lucky to get front row had a chance of getting splashed with water or foam. The venue was simple, having only the stage, a couple bars and food trucks lining the perimeter, and the entrance with security and staff all set up on the sand. 

        (Y/N) was hoping she’d get over herself to be able to have a fun time with her best friend, living in the moment instead of in her head. Unfortunately, there wasn’t a special section they could sit at, she was hoping there was so she wouldn’t be so anxious. They were going to be standing with the fans who bought VIPs, right in front of the stage. 

        Currently, she was backstage less than two hours before ‘doors’ opened. Due to the show being held outdoors in a hot, humid climate, the crew was busy making sure wires and electronics were safe, and instruments were tuned perfectly. Her and Megan were alone sharing a drink that mostly Megan sipped on, hovering near the equipment cases.

        “Aren’t you hot in that?” Megan asked, raising a brow at her friend as she glanced up and down at her outfit. 

        “Not really, I’ll take it off when it gets hot. I just don’t want to hold my jacket all day,” (Y/N) assured. No, she was lying out of her teeth. There was sweat dripping down her back, and her clothes were disgustingly already soaked from it. She was holding back everything to not fan herself. When she got dressed for the concert, she wore her pre-planned outfit—a bikini top and low-rise jean shorts with some jewelry for the hot weather. Something she was confident in, unafraid of being judged. But she felt the need to cover herself with a light jacket for tonight, unable to reclaim herself from before.

        “If you say so,” Megan dragged, suspicious of her friend, but didn’t feel right in prying. “Wait, be right back, I’m going to use the bathroom backstage before the show starts and then we won’t be able to. You should too!” 

        “Mhm, I’ll go in a bit.”

        Her eyes followed Megan’s figure until it disappeared around the corner. Finally, she let out a long sigh, leaning against the cases, zipping down her jacket a few inches and fanning herself with her hand. 

        “The fuck are you wearing?” A baritone voice rang behind her, causing her to flinch and whip her head around. Sasuke stood casually, leaning slightly on one leg with a hand in his back pocket, his other holding a glass of some kind of dark liquor. He tilted his head, narrowing his eyes at the sight of her and his eyebrows drawn together.

        She turned her head back, unsure of what to say. His tone sounded more critical than he thought and he hoped she took it as amused. She folded her arms across her chest, hiding herself more. “Clothes.”

        “For what, a blizzard?” He scoffed, walking in front of her. She couldn’t avoid him now. 

        “Sun protection,” she muttered another excuse, tugging down her sleeves. 

        “Bullshit.” He flicked the zipper of her jacket. “You’ll be under palm trees. You’re suffocating.”

        She groaned in annoyance and embarrassment. “I’m not. I just… I just don’t want to be–”

        “A target?”

        She pursed her lips, realizing she wasn’t as slick as she thought the past couple of days. The one thing she liked about Sasuke was that he never held back what he wanted to say, but she wished he did now. 

        He took her silence as a yes, and sighed. “Take it off.”

        Her head pulled back slightly as she recoiled from his words that struck her skin. She blinked once, twice, her eyebrows twitched upwards, then pulled together, staring at him in surprise. Her mouth was slightly agape as she processed what he asked—no—demanded of her. 

        “Did you hear me?” He pinched her zipper between his thumb and index, and with every slow second, purposefully pulled it down. “I said, take this off.”

        Her breath caught in her throat. She felt the teeth made up of metal unfastening above her skin, every inch his hand was traveling down exposing more of her chest. She swallowed to calm herself when she felt his knuckles brushing over her sternum, thoughts racing too fast to determine whether or not it was deliberate. 

        He stopped halfway. She wasn’t sure if she wanted to zip it back up, suddenly shy from his eyes, or remove it completely and show off. Still, her fingers automatically finished his job, the jacket falling off her shoulders, letting the breeze kiss her collarbones. 

        His eyes didn’t drop to her chest like most guys would, they were stilled on her face, scanning her expression. He took another good sip of his whiskey, then held it out to her.

        She shook her head. “I’m not drinking.”

        “Not drinking alone,” he corrected, not lowering his hand. “Finish it.”

        She stared at it, then at him.  

        “God, you’re so pushy,” she groaned, hand reaching for the glass. She gulped it as fast as she could, the bitter smokiness filling her taste buds. The burn hit in the depth of her stomach.

        “That’s it, you got it.” He smirked while watching her chug a whiskey neat on the rocks. With a deep, satisfied sigh, she handed back the cup roughly, the ice clinking against the glass like a victory bell. 

        “Shut up,” she murmured. 

        He smirked, hiding a smile. “There she is.”

        She wiped her mouth with the back of her hand, the burn still in her throat, yet it reignited something in her. The breeze shifted again, hitting her sweat and cooling her down, yet she didn’t feel unsafe anymore.

        Finally, she tilted her chin up at him, facing him head-on. “If I pass out in the crowd, I’m blaming you.”

        “If you pass out, I’ll come get you.”

        “You wanna come save me again?” Her mouth curled as she rolled her eyes. 

        He gazed at her, enjoying seeing her spark again. “Count on it. Make sure you give me something worth staring at so I can’t take my eyes off you.”

        “Oh, I will.” She chuckled, her voice raspy. Maybe she drank it too fast, but she had never been more excited to see him on stage again.

        (Y/N) and Megan were at the front center of the barricades. She was holding a sweet mixed drink with a small black straw. There was no paranoia surrounding her mind, she was clear-headed like the whiskey he gave her burned the fog away. 

        This was her fifth time seeing them perform, but it never got boring. The audience murmured amongst themselves before screaming the moment the lights dropped. They cheered only from hearing the band tune their instruments, unable to see the guys in the dark.

        The stage finally erupted in blue and indigo lights, a beautiful combination with the dusk sky and the ocean. She could see him, standing right next to Naruto.

        Always on his right was Sasuke with his guitar slung low, head down just enough so she couldn’t see his eyes under his bangs. She watched as the same fan pendant he always wore on his chest rose up and down, taking a deep breath in and out.

        The music hit like a grenade. The bass filled her body. Maybe it had been so long since the last show that now she was in a daze from the energy. Or maybe it was because she couldn’t keep her eyes off him in his element as he dominated the stage, how he bit his bottom lip while his fingers danced along the fretboard of his guitar, and dripping sweat down his throat by the second chorus. 

        As Sasuke gained momentum being on stage again, his eyes scanned the front row, searching for her. Mid-verse, he found her eyes already locked on to him, satisfied at her expression. He smirked at her, signaling her that he saw her. 

        Her heart beat, but she wasn’t going to back down. She had to play back. 

        He looked over again, and she lifted her drink and took a sip with that mouth, dragging the straw between her lips, slow and sensual. His grip on the guitar slipped and he fumbled a chord. It wasn’t noticeable, luckily. 

        But she noticed. And so did Shikamaru who would never miss shit. He glanced over to SK who was already side-eyeing him and mouthed, “The hell?” Sasuke? Messing up? That was rare. 

        The next song was slower, dirtier. By now, she memorized their setlist after hearing it a million times during rehearsals. She mouthed each lyric word for word, pointed at him. He tried not to stare and making it obvious, but the way she was taunting him was making it difficult. 

        He shouldn’t have looked at her again when the bridge of the song came up. The sultry and raw melody fit so well when she lifted her hair off her neck to cool off, her skin supple and golden under the lights. Then he saw it, his reminder. 

        The mark he left on her. It was a ghost of a bruise right below the curve of her neck, almost invisible to everyone else but him because he knew exactly where his mouth lingered. The foundation she used to cover it was smudging off from her sweat. His throat tightened up while he unwillingly imagined what she felt like again. 

        His focus was cut when Naruto elbowed him right before his solo. He didn’t realize how long he was staring until he looked up at Naruto who had a wide grin because he was caught red-handed. 

        Sasuke didn’t smile back, nor move. He did not care. He strummed and plucked every note rougher, unrestrained, changing up the riff on accident to be too wild for the song. Because that was exactly how she made him feel. 

        She kept her word. His eyes never left her, from her face to her body. A temptation he fell victim to.