Chapter Text
The next morning, Sasuke is woken by the sound of his phone ringing. Still half-asleep, he picks up, and Itachi’s euphoric voice bursts through the speaker.
“Glad to hear from you, little brother.”
“Mmh, Itachi… it’s early here.”
Sasuke blinks his eyes open and glances at the screen.
“You’re terrible, he grumbles. It’s only six in the morning.”
“Then don’t send a message like that, Itachi teases. Tell me instead—who’s this boy who seems to have stolen my little brother’s heart?”
Sasuke pushes himself upright, giving up on any hope of going back to sleep.
“Don’t be ridiculous. We only just met. I’m not interested in him like that.”
He absently scratches at an invisible spot on the kitchen table.
Itachi breathes in softly, as if choosing his words.
“Still, I felt something in your email. You sound happy with your life in France.”
“Yeah… I’ve met some wonderful people. Sophie, in Paris—she’s full of energy. And Gaara… he helps me feel better. He’s kind, attentive.”
“So? He could be an option” Itachi murmurs.
“I don’t know. I’m too scared of getting hurt again.”
“Sasuke… they’re not all like him.”
“I know, but… what if they are?”
“For now, just let yourself go with it. Listen to yourself, feel things out. You’ll know if he’s really a good person.”
“I never had that feeling with Naruto.”
“You’re being too hard on yourself. He’s the asshole in all of this. You just made a bad call, that’s all. I would’ve done the same. He’s good at manipulating people with that angelic blond face of his.”
Sasuke stays quiet for a moment, then a faint smile slips out.
“Gaara’s different. He didn’t come up to me the way Naruto did, and he isn’t self-absorbed. He listens.”
“Exactly, Itachi says. That alone makes a huge difference.”
“Even at six in the morning, I still give good advice, he chuckles.”
“Mmh… you’re mostly just insufferable, Sasuke mutters, though a smile tugs at his lips.”
He hangs up, and suddenly the apartment doesn’t feel so silent anymore.
It’s seven o’clock. The sun is rising, the first rays brushing against his face. Leaning on the balcony, a warm coffee in hand, Sasuke thinks back on his brother’s words. On Naruto. On Gaara.
A wave of melancholy washes over him. He’s fine here, so why does that bastard still creep into his thoughts? Is it because he’s starting to see Gaara as a possible love interest that his ex keeps coming to mind?
He shakes his head. Ridiculous. Gaara is probably just being kind because he’s new. Helping him fit in, nothing more.
Sasuke sighs, downs the last of his coffee, then straightens. Time to pull himself together and get ready—Gaara will be here soon to walk with him to class.
Right on time, Gaara rings at his door. Sasuke adjusts his jacket, fixes his hair one last time, grabs his bag and keys. He takes a deep breath, a little shiver of excitement running down his spine.
They head to the tram. This morning, it’s packed: the holidays are over, and the usual rhythm is back. Sasuke feels the gentle sway of the tram beneath his feet, the hum of the city slowly waking up around him.
Near the school, Gaara suggests stopping by a bakery for a coffee and a pastry. The smell of freshly baked bread drifts through the air, irresistible, and Sasuke leans forward slightly to take it in.
The choices are overwhelming: butter croissants, almond croissants, apple turnovers, raisin or chocolate swirls, chocolate croissants… He hesitates, eyes widening a little, his heart lighter than he expects, a quiet thrill fluttering inside him.
Gaara watches him with a soft, tender smile.
“You look a little lost.”
“There’s too much to choose from… I only know the croissant and… pointing, that one… the chocolate croissant.”
Gaara chuckles softly.
“It’s funny, for me this variety seems normal. But I can see how it might surprise someone from outside. Want a tip? You’ve already tried the croissant, so go for the chocolate croissant. It’s the other classic.”
“Okay. I’ll try that, Sasuke murmurs, feeling a warm flush rise to his cheeks.”
They each take a coffee and their pastry, then settle on a nearby bench. The morning light brushes Sasuke’s face, soft and comforting; the calm of the moment makes him feel as if everything could go well today.
Gaara leans slightly closer, as if sharing a secret.
“You know, where I’m from, we say chocolatine, not chocolate croissant. Every region has its word, and it’s always a bit of a debate.”
Sasuke raises an amused eyebrow.
“Just for a pastry?”
“Yes, Gaara laughs gently. Most of the time, it’s just for teasing, nothing serious.”
He glances at his watch.
“Come on, let’s go. It’s time.”
Sasuke packs up his things and glances one last time at the bakery window.
“The chocolate croissant was delicious.” he murmurs with a small, satisfied smile.
“Next time, you’ll try another pastry” Gaara replies, his laugh soft and warm.
They rise together, and Sasuke feels Gaara’s hand brush against his as they pass. A shiver of delight runs down his spine. Even without holding hands, the simple contact makes this morning feel lighter, sweeter.
Around them, the crowd of students moves toward their classrooms, the noise and bustle contrasting with the quiet intimacy they’ve just shared. And yet, Sasuke feels buoyant, ready to face the day, a small smile lingering on his lips, warmth still settled in his chest.The morning goes by quickly, carried along by classes and the chatter of the hallways. Yet every time Gaara sits beside him, Sasuke feels a soft warmth settle in his chest. Even the squeak of chairs or the rustle of pages can’t disturb the calm that comes with his presence.
At noon, they meet on the little bench behind the school, their bags at their sides, a sandwich in hand.
“You seem good today,” Gaara notes, a quiet smile on his lips.
“Hmm… yeah. With you, I feel… at peace.” Sasuke replies, almost surprised by his own honesty.
They hold each other’s gaze, a knowing smile spreading across their faces. Sasuke realizes that, for the first time in a long while, he can breathe freely.
The afternoon drifts by in the same way, between classes and fleeting moments. A laugh shared in the hallway, a word whispered under their breath… Nothing remarkable to anyone else, but for them, it’s a world of their own, a cocoon where everything feels simple and light.When the final bell rings, Sasuke and Gaara leave together, walking slowly through the streets of Strasbourg. The sun dips low, painting the rooftops in gold and rose, and Sasuke catches himself smiling for no reason, just because Gaara is there.Even in the bustle of the city, simply being at his side is enough to steady his heartbeat, to make every moment shine a little brighter.
Autumn has settled in for good. The wind whistles through the streets, and rain seems to fall almost every day. Sasuke drifts through the morning in a heavy mood. The Sunday market at Place Gutenberg had brought him a few little trinkets for his apartment, but they do nothing to lift his spirits. Today, he simply isn’t up for it. Eight months have passed since Naruto left him in pieces, and he thought he was healing. Not today. Today, everything feels fragile. Kaku curls beside him, warm and soft, yet even the cat’s presence can’t fill the emptiness. Almost as if he wants to hurt himself, Sasuke flips through old folders and finds some photos of Naruto. Mistake. His throat tightens. Then his phone buzzes. A call from Japan. Not Naruto—of course not. Sakura. Even seeing her name on the screen sends a shiver down his spine.
"Hey, Sas… how are you?"
"Hey… tired."
"It’s the 20th."
"I know."
"He’s not with Hinata anymore. She broke up with him. I know, you don’t care."
"Why? Did she finally see he’s a jerk?"
"Kind of, yeah."
"Good. That’s no longer my problem. [He strokes Kaku] I’m glad it was her who ended it. I hope he suffers."
"He’s mostly angry, Sakura sighs. After you… and now Hinata… He always blames everyone else."
A small smile touches Sasuke’s lips. Cruel coincidence—but sweet, in its way.
"And you, Sakura? Any love life?"
"Oh… nothing special. I got closer to… You promise you won’t be mad?"
"You’ve got my attention."
"Your brother…"
Silence.
"After you left, we felt a bit nostalgic. We started meeting just to talk about you…"
"And that made you… grow closer? [He chuckles.] I didn’t know I had the power to play matchmaker between my brother and my best friend."
"You don’t mind?" she asks softly.
"It’s funny—Itachi never told me. And he just lets you handle it?"
"Mmh…"
"I don’t care, Sakura. I’m happy for you. I just wanted to tease you a little."
"Oh, you! If you were in Osaka, I swear…"
Sasuke laughs, a full, easy laugh that makes him feel lighter.
When he hangs up, his mood has lifted. The rain still drums against the windows, but he no longer wants to drown in memories. He puts on some upbeat music and finally arranges his morning finds around the apartment.
A few hours later, his phone buzzes again. This time, it isn’t a memory from the past—it’s a promise of the present: a message from Gaara.
“Want to go out for hot chocolate?”
Sasuke pauses, gaze lingering on the paper garlands hanging from his wall. He thinks of Naruto, of Sakura, of everything he thought he had lost. Then he reads the message again. A soft smile escapes him.
Maybe it’s time to stop looking back.
“I’d love to. Fifteen minutes okay?”
“Perfect.”
Through the cobblestone streets of Strasbourg, they cross the Abreuvoir footbridge, their steps light and in sync. Just behind the cathedral, a small café awaits them: Bistrot et Chocolat. Gaara knows Sasuke has a soft spot for chocolate croissants, and he’s chosen this cozy spot to warm up on rainy Sundays with a steaming cup of cocoa.Side by side, hands wrapped around their mugs, Sasuke savors the moment. Gaara shares little legends about the cathedral: a tiny dog carved into the pulpit, said to bring luck to anyone who strokes its head; or the restless wind across the square, said to be the devil’s steed trapped inside after spotting depictions of itself in the holy place.Sasuke listens, intrigued and amused. His own country is full of legends too, but he loves discovering new ones. Above all, he loves how Gaara tells them—with that calm voice and the tiniest smile in his eyes—making everything feel simple, warm, and effortless.
Leaving the café, Gaara leads him to the cathedral. The building stands tall and silent, its ancient stones bathed in the golden glow of late afternoon. Inside, Sasuke touches the little carved dog, a shiver running down his spine at the cool stone.
"And if I don’t believe in legends?" he asks, half-serious, half-smiling.
"Then you can always pretend, Gaara says softly. I believe they work for the little things—the ones that make life sweeter."
Their eyes meet, and a quiet smile passes between them. That small, shared moment is enough to fill the space between them with warmth.
"I think… I’ll be coming here often." Sasuke whispers.
"Me too, says Gaara. And this time, I’ll come with you."
They continue walking, light on their feet, noticing every detail of the cathedral and the little stories it hides. Even amid the city’s bustle, their quiet connection makes each moment gentle and precious.Sitting on a bench along the banks of the Ill, hidden away from prying eyes, they savor the quiet moment. It’s been almost a month since they first met, and October is just around the corner. Gaara treasures each of these instants with Sasuke, noticing more and more of the little things he loves about him—his attentive gaze, the way he sometimes smiles without realizing it, the small scenes with Kaku that make them both laugh.
He catches himself thinking Sasuke looks beautiful, but he keeps the thought to himself.
“Sasuke?”
Sasuke turns, meeting Gaara’s eyes.
“I just wanted to tell you… these moments we share, I hold onto them. They mean a lot to me.”
Sasuke’s breath falters. He looks away, fixing his gaze on a willow tree across the river, its branches swaying in the wind.
“You don’t know how much that means, Gaara… A few months ago, I was in a relationship. Two years. He left without warning, slipping away little by little… like I’d never mattered at all. It left me shattered—body and mind.”
His voice shakes, his eyes glassy.
Gently, Gaara slips an arm around him. With quiet care, he wipes the tears from Sasuke’s cheeks with his thumbs.
“You’re doing better than you think,” he murmurs. “I can’t imagine the road you had to walk to get here… but I can see you’re moving forward.”
A fragile smile crosses Sasuke’s lips.
“Today makes eight months. And instead of drowning in it, I read your message. And I smiled. I am getting better.”
Their eyes meet, lingering in silence. No need for more words. Gaara keeps his feelings unspoken, but his gesture says enough. And under the watchful eyes of the ducks drifting along the river, the two of them open up to each other a little more—without rushing what doesn’t need to be rushed.The biting cold of early evening nudges them to get up. Walking home will do them good, warming both their hands and their thoughts. After these confessions, they find themselves a little closer than they had been on the way there. Shoulders brush against each other, fingers graze almost by accident, yet each touch, however fleeting, leaves a mark, a shiver—as if the world around them had slowed down for these stolen moments.