The warm scent of grilled fish and miso broth filled the Uzumaki house — a rare shift from the usual instant ramen meals.
Ren stood at the stove, quietly focused as he turned the fish over the pan. The kitchen wasn't big, but it was clean, neat — a reflection of him. He moved with quiet precision, like even cooking was a kind of training.
Behind him, Naruto lay draped over the low table, arms dramatically flopped to the side.
"Ughhh, fish again? I was dreaming of ramen all day…"
Ren didn't turn. "That's because you eat ramen six days a week. Your body's made of broth."
Naruto rolled onto his back. "And I'm still alive, aren't I?"
Ren placed two bowls on the table. Miso soup, grilled fish, and a small plate of vegetables. Simple. Real.
Naruto blinked. "Wait… this actually looks good."
Ren sat across from him. "Don't sound so shocked."
They ate in comfortable silence for a while. The soft clinks of chopsticks, the occasional sip of soup — familiar.
Halfway through the meal, Ren glanced up.
"You still messing with Sasuke?"
Naruto looked up, mouth full. "Huh?"
Ren raised an eyebrow. "At school. Do you still bug him?"
Naruto swallowed, then grinned. "Not really. Well, maybe. A little."
Ren looked at him flatly.
Naruto shrugged. "Okay, okay. I just think he needs to loosen up. He's always acting like he's got the weight of the world on his head."
Ren stirred his soup, quiet for a moment.
"That's because he kind of does."
Naruto blinked. "Huh?"
Ren looked at him directly. Calm. Honest.
"Sasuke's the last Uchiha. His whole clan… they're gone. All of them."
Naruto's smile faded.
"...Oh."
Ren leaned back slightly, resting his chopsticks.
"He lost everything. We were born with nothing… but he had it. And then it was taken."
Naruto lowered his gaze.
"I guess I never thought about it like that…"
"He carries that pain with him," Ren said. "Same way we carry ours. Different shape. Same weight."
They sat in silence for a moment.
Then Naruto mumbled, "...I won't prank him again. Not for a while, anyway."
Ren smirked slightly. "Good. At least prank someone who deserves it next time."
Naruto grinned. "Iruka-sensei's definitely overdue."
Ren sighed, but didn't argue.
Naruto leaned back with a stretch.
"Y'know… for a little brother, you're kinda wise."
Ren paused. "Little?"
Naruto grinned smugly. "Don't forget — I'm older than you. Five seconds, remember?"
Ren blinked. "Congratulations. You exited the womb louder and earlier. A true accomplishment."
Naruto laughed, nearly tipping his soup.
The tension broke like a thread snipped clean. Their laughter filled the small home — warm, real, and theirs.
Whatever pain they carried, whatever weight was left behind by the world… they carried it together.