And yet for Sasuke it was as if it had all happened yesterday. Naruto fell asleep again. Sasuke was watching him, still holding his friend's hand in his. Then a small smile crossed his lips when he saw the rings. Two months ago he asked Naruto if he would like to marry him. They went on vacation. To escape reality for just a few moments.

~ Flashback ~

"Naru-darling? Would you go to the beach with me for a few days? At the moment there are no further examinations and I wanted to get other thoughts again." Sasuke waved two plane tickets in front of Naruto's eyes. The addressee got shining eyes and jumped into Sasuke's arms.

“Nothing better than that. When does it start?” Naruto was on fire for the short vacation on the beach, which demanded a smile from the Uchiha.

"Tonight our flight leaves.So I've already packed the bare essentials. A taxi will take us to the airport in two hours. "
Happily, Naruto pressed even closer into the embrace.

"I love you Sasuke."

"I love you too, Naru ~!"

They kissed. After an endlessly long time, they broke up. They had a bite to eat and then it was about time. They were quickly at the airport and checked in. Both slept over the flight. When they got to their destination, it was already the middle of the night. They checked into the hotel, went to their room and fell into bed happy but tired. The next morning Sasuke was woken up by the choking noises coming from the bathroom. Immediately wide awake and alarmed, Sasuke ran to Naruto in the bathroom.

“Everything's fine, honey.” Sasuke had patted his friend's back soothingly as he bonded deeply with the toilet. After this was over, the Uchiha gave a glass of water to Naruto, who accepted it with thanks.

"Yes, everything's fine, weirdo! Of course, nothing's okay here. I'm looking forward to a few carefree days and I'll start the first day by smooching the toilet bowl." Pure sarcasm was audible in his voice. Sasuke grinned crookedly.

"Sorry little one. I just don't get used to it that quickly. But don't worry. I have a great surprise for you tonight." With these words and a cheeky grin on his lips, Sasuke left the bathroom as quickly as possible, whereupon Naruto followed him, of course.

"What?" Sasuke had to laugh now. He was aware that his friend would annoy him until he told him what exactly to expect. But this time Sasuke stood firm. Not like usual, when Naruto's doggy eyes make him soft every time. They spent the day with a sightseeing tour, a stroll along the beach promenade and a romantic dinner in a great restaurant. When they were back in their room, Sasuke went into the shower. He wanted to smell good when he put his plan into action. So he showered quickly, after he was done, Naruto also took a quick shower. Then both finished an hour. Sasuke sat on the bed and Naruto stood at the window and looked out to sea. It was quiet in the room until Sasuke broke the silence.

"Do we want to go for a walk on the beach, honey?" So they left the hotel hand in hand and went to the beach. There they walked side by side in silence. The moon was shining down on them. It was the only source of light on the beach and gave both of them a romantic atmosphere. Sasuke was getting more nervous by the minute. Before he lost his courage, Sasuke stopped. Naruto, a little confused, turned to his friend and looked at him questioningly. But before Naruto could ask anything, Sasuke fell on his knees in front of him.Naruto looked down at him nervously. When he pulled a small box out of his pocket, the blonde swallowed.

"Naruto. You are my great love. Even if it took me forever to realize that. We have seen a lot together and are just going through a damn hard time. You are the man of my life and I would like nothing more than to be with you want to grow old with you. But since we are running out of time, I don't want to waste any more time. Would you fulfill my heart's desire and marry me? "
Lovingly, gently and quietly these honest words came from the lips of the black-haired man. Naruto came to tears. He fell around Sasuke's neck, kissing him on the lips again and again.

"Of course I want to marry you. I love you!" They kissed again. This time gentle and full of love. After they broke up due to lack of air, the Uchiha slipped the ring over his finger.

Back at the hotel, they spent the most beautiful night together. They loved each other and that should now be sealed before God and the world.

~ Flashback end ~

Sasuke always fondly remembers that one night. Had he known that this was the last night they slept together, she would have done it several times in a row. But since Naruto was already exhausted and at the end of his strength after the one time, Sasuke had left it at that. He thought they would have the opportunity to do so more often. But there was one thing they both agreed on. This was the most beautiful night of her life.
Another sad smile flickered on the Uchiha's face. They would have married in two weeks. Sasuke just wanted to hang on to this thought but the quiet voice of his sweetheart made him look up.

"Hey my angel. Wake up again?" Naruto nodded slightly.

“What were you just thinking about Sasuke?” Naruto's voice was nothing more than a whisper. It was getting harder and harder for him to talk. Breathing wasn't so easy either.

"I was just thinking about the appointment in two weeks. But let's not talk about it any further. You look like you have something else to say, honey."
Again Naruto just nodded and looked for the right words. After a few minutes, Naruto sat up slightly and looked at Sasuke seriously, before he began to speak softly.

"Sasuke ... I want to ask you something. Would you ... promise me something?"
Sasuke looked at Naruto. Swallowed hard once and finally nodded.

"Anything you want my heart."

Naruto smiled. He knew that Sasuke always called him "my heart" when he meant it honestly. Naruto took as deep a breath as he could, which wasn't that much, but he didn't care at the moment. He felt that his time had come to take the last gear. But he still wanted to make this promise from him.

"Sasu, first of all I want you to apologize on my behalf to all of our friends.Tell them how sorry I am that I didn't want them around in my last days in this world. I didn't want to let her see how bad I was going towards the end. Are you doing this for me, will you? "
Sasuke nodded, still trying to hold back the tears. Then Naruto continued.

"Now to you. I know that you love me more than anything and I am incredibly grateful to you for that. The whole time with you was a gift from God. But I want you to promise me that you will live on after my death. I want that you will love again. You shouldn't grow old alone. Please promise me now that you will marry and father a lot of mini-Sasuke. I will always be with you, always be a part of your life, but please let me go with the thought that you are looking for someone new. Promise it! "

Naruto was breathing heavily, suppressing a coughing fit and looked at Sasuke seriously and pleadingly. Sasuke's head was swept empty. Naruto actually asked him to marry someone else and to bring many children into the world WITHOUT him. His tears ran down his cheeks without ceasing. With a voice choked with tears, he started.

"You are asking ... the impossible ... from me, Naruto!"

"Please promise! My time has come, honey. Please let me fall asleep thinking that you won't be left alone. Please Sasuke."

Now Naruto was crying too. That made the Uchiha clear once again that the time has come.

“I promise you my darling.” Naruto smiled and closed his eyes. The time has come at any moment.

"Thank you ... Sasuke ... I ... love ... you!"

These words were Naruto's last. His breathing became weaker and weaker, the pressure in his hand eased and then Naruto's heart stopped beating. The monitor made this clear to him only too loudly. Weeping, he laid his head on his lover's chest, who was now really an angel.

~ Fin ~