(Naruto) Mechanics
Title: Mechanics
Author: Agent Kuma-chan (smakn)
Summary: The city’s on edge, too afraid and too quiet. He’s tired of it all.
Rating: T
Prompt: July 7th // Teacher
Warnings: AU universe
Note: A bit in Sasuke’s point of view, which is interesting to experiment in. Takes place roughly slightly before and during “Sample Size” (July 6).
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“Oi, Sasuke, you need to go to the clinic.”
The smell of oil and grease is stronger now, and he delves further under the car, ignoring Kiba’s voice. Cool metal rests in his hand as he pulls his toolbox after him, a flash light in his other as he stares up at the tangle of pipes above him.
It’s familiar and all he knows. Letting go of the red box, he examines the weave above him, scanning each part to find the problem.
The car is lifted higher above him before he can get far and a shaggy head appears in front of him.
“I’m serious-the rest of us have gone and it’s already noon.”
“The clinics don’t close and it’ll be crowded now.” He brushes past the smaller man, reaching for the button to move the vehicle back down.
“Sasuke.” A hand takes the controller before him, and he doesn’t have to look to see the steel in his partner’s eyes. There is something decidedly nervous and scared in the way he pauses, in the way he grips Sasuke’s shoulders and turns him around.
The whole town is like this now, frightened and insecure. The virus had only been discovered a few months ago, but already cases had been popping up of deaths.
“Scared?”
And where Naruto might have bristled and snapped in response, Kiba looks away. There’s an edge in his voice as he replies, an edge Sasuke’s tired of finding.
“It’s hard not to be.”
-x-
“Sasuke!”
He picks up his pace, not stopping as he hears the sound of footsteps quickening to catch up to him.
“You bastard!” Naruto’s arms casually sling around his shoulders despite his words and there’s a tired but familiar grin on his face. “You did that on purpose!”
“Of course,” he deadpans against the accusing words. The streets in front of him aren’t as clogged as they were earlier in the day and he can make out the clinic’s doors ahead of them.
“Getting your shots? Me too!” There’s an unnatural silence after those words and he knows Naruto’s thinking of the orphanage he runs.
Sasuke has always been good with his hands. It’s something he can fall back on and when Kiba told him of opening a garage, he couldn’t refuse. Naruto, though he has the skills as well, has always been better with his words. A true politician if he could ever pay attention long enough.
Instead, he spends his time helping charities and orphanages and Sasuke can’t deny it suits him better.
“They’re safe?” he finally asks, the quiet unbearable.
“They had their shots and seem fine.” Naruto pauses, stares up at the sky as he walks beside him. His arm is still warm and heavy against his neck and Sasuke slips out of the hold. “I can barely recognize the city sometimes.”
He shakes himself before grinning once more. “Picking up Sakura-chan after this?” Waggling his eyebrows, Naruto gives a semi-lewd grin and nudge. “It’s been a while since you’ve seen her.”
Sasuke picks up the pace in response, ignoring the truth ringing in the idiot’s words.
-x-
Naruto’s head is heavy on his shoulder, asleep from the long hours of waiting in the room. Several people come and go and Sasuke glances at his watch, his arm a little sore from the vaccinations and needles they stuck in it.
The garage must be closed by now. Sakura’s shift will be ending soon and hopefully they’ll release him before she leaves. A nurse approaches them and he shakes the blonde off his shoulder before she can speak.
“Uzumaki Naruto? You can leave now. Please come back if any of these symptoms occur.” A half-asleep hand grasps the sheet she holds out. Blearily, he gets up and looks down at Sasuke.
“Iiii...wait for....you?”
“It’s fine.”
Naruto blinks for a moment, giving a small grin. “Sakura-chan.” Somehow that thought is still the first one in his mind and he laughs at the glare Sasuke gives him before disappearing through the door.
An hour passes. Two. He’s nodding off himself when he hears a small commotion at the door. He stretches, a flash of pink in the corner of his eye, and picks up his bag to head home.
It’s only when Sakura’s worried eyes find his that Sasuke realizes something’s wrong.