[ neji begins to answer, each word measured out as though he knows it's exact weight. it's exact place. naruto's hands are still- open and upturned in his lap, and his gaze remains on his open window. the sunlight that filters in and leaves his floorboards warm. but then-

or it could simply be that he's waiting for you, and all you need to do is ask.

the words hit something hard in his stomach, and naruto's vision swims. it's a ripple that takes him back to konoha, when he'd been small. when he'd walked home every night, and passed that one dock.

at his back, is the wall he and sasuke share. ]

I knew he was always alone. And watching him, I felt reassured that I wasn't the only one. But to be honest, every time I saw him, I wanted to walk over and start talking. [ the laugh is small, a huff of breath. ]

It made me happy, because I felt like he understood me. But I always stopped.

I guess... I was jealous because he was always so good at everything. In some ways, even now we're still rivals. But my bond with him saved me. [ one he hand lifts, and naruto's fingers graze the scar on his chest. the place where a kunai was once buried. ] Nothing will ever be able to take away the suffering he's known, and I know he has lots of secrets. Memories of times and people- things he probably wants to forget. And I think that's okay.

But Neji-

I wanna fill his heart with other things too.