[The thing is, it's never been that simple for Naruto. Team Seven had never been moments of good or bad- they have a codependency between them that other teams were afraid to touch. There was a desperation and a pain and an anger and a joy that made people take one step back instead of one step forward. There had been a boy who wanted only recognition and a boy who wanted only revenge and a girl from whom nothing was expected and they hurt each other over and over and over again. They broke themselves for the love of one another and rebuilt themselves just as fast. It isn't the worst and it isn't the best. Naruto has always known Team Seven to be love and pain in equal measure, and he wouldn't trade it for anything.
Naruto says it to tease, not to hurt and maybe that's where the three of them differ. Intent. Sasuke holds all things at arm's length. Sakura searches for reason. And Naruto always just opens up too fast.
They need each other. He can't quite look at her when he continues, not around the sudden tenderness in his throat and the wobbling smile on his face.]
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[The thing is, it's never been that simple for Naruto. Team Seven had never been moments of good or bad- they have a codependency between them that other teams were afraid to touch. There was a desperation and a pain and an anger and a joy that made people take one step back instead of one step forward. There had been a boy who wanted only recognition and a boy who wanted only revenge and a girl from whom nothing was expected and they hurt each other over and over and over again. They broke themselves for the love of one another and rebuilt themselves just as fast. It isn't the worst and it isn't the best. Naruto has always known Team Seven to be love and pain in equal measure, and he wouldn't trade it for anything.
Naruto says it to tease, not to hurt and maybe that's where the three of them differ. Intent. Sasuke holds all things at arm's length. Sakura searches for reason. And Naruto always just opens up too fast.
They need each other.
He can't quite look at her when he continues, not around the sudden tenderness in his throat and the wobbling smile on his face.]
I'm glad he's got a home with you, Sakura-chan.