More Naruto hcs? More Naruto hcs!! This one's for a mr. Uchiha Sasuke.... got very long bc I had to project a bunch /lh Also as a side note - these and other hcs for this fandom focus near exclusively on the early era bc that's the time period in the series I like most!
Without further ado - the hcs!!!
I hc that Sasuke regresses... and has a hard time with this fact. He gets more lonely and clingy... But also can't stand the fact that it happens, and pulls away as an instinctive response to the vulnerability.
This only goes so far in a group like Team 7 however.
Kakashi-sensei is probably the first one who picks up on his regression, and starts testing the waters with what he, as Sasuke's mentor (and potential caregiver) can get away with - from extra touches such as a hand to a shoulder or playfully ruffling his hair, to calling for a group break when he starts noticing Sasuke getting especially wound up when training isn't going right... little things like that.
Sasuke of course makes a point of rebuking these efforts, but it only goes so far. Even if he verbally protests the physical contact and treatment in front of others, actually pulling away or shrugging it off does not occur like it might normally.
He'll likewise challenge the breaks or try to deflect, accusing the others (mostly Naruto) of being too weak to keep going, even while he's readily the first one dropping his kunai and returning to their teacher.
He also has more trouble keeping the others away from him - if he has the physical distance, he makes a point of keeping it, sitting curled up on a tree branch, arms folded (not hugging. Totally not hugging) to himself while watching them from afar if possible.
This of course does not stop either of his teammates from approaching him instead.
Naruto, oblivious, challenges him and gets in his personal space like normal. This can be a double-edged sword - sometimes Sasuke leans into this invasion, engaging more readily in the conversation or getting swept up in it, not batting off any physical contact made by his rival - but sometimes "getting swept up" means getting goaded into an argument faster than usual, and not pulling away from the physical contact may include if Naruto grabs him roughly, such as by the arm or collar - or just altogether jumping into a tussle instead.
With Sakura, he alternates between quieter than usual, letting her fill the space with her desperate conversation to close the gap between them, or actually engaging with the topic more readily, if it grabs his interest enough, sharing his thoughts in spaces where he'd normally settle for a gesture or monosyllabic response. He also, again, struggles with actually keeping the distance if she's the one who draws close, unable to shrug her off if she puts a hand to his arm or shoulder without thinking or to direct his attention to something.
There's actually been a few instances where Sakura approaches him to point out some technical battle skill they're being shown while he's in a younger headspace, and he just listens to her breakdown of it with rapt attention, while Sakura is too engaged in "student mode" to be paying as much attention to her crush as usual.
All that said, there are of course the tantrums to be had as well. Sasuke is already innately hotheaded and easy to provoke, but when he's fighting his regression, everything sets him off.
Kakashi introducing a new technique gets testy remarks about how he doesn't need talked down to, he either knows how to do it already or will have it down by the end of the day. If Sakura tries to compliment him or put too much attention on him (which is often) he'll shut her down hard with a scathing glare or nasty comment before storming off.
And then, of course... Anything Naruto does just sets him off that much faster than usual. Doing better than him at something, doing worse than him at something, saying something taunting or insulting - when half the time it's just Naruto being Naruto and being thoughtless or unobservant rather than actually meaning to offend. Never mind the amount of full-on arguments and fights that ensue when he's like this.
as Kakashi-sensei is forced to bodily pull Sasuke out of yet another playground fistfight with Naruto, not oblivious to the boy's even higher-pitched inflections as he hurls accusations, the way he shakes with rage under Kakashi-sensei's hand... and yet, barely tries to actually break away.... Kakashi-sensei starts thinking perhaps a change in strategy is needed.
It's around this time Kakashi-sensei starts "training" with each member of Team 7 one on one. Not all the time, having to do personalized lessons for each one will only eat up that much more time and slow things down. But... After all, when Sakura picks things up quicker than the boys and is always interested in learning new tactics, and hey, everyone knows Naruto could probably need some one-on-one help with things, things he may or may not be too proud to ask for help on or even realize he needs help with... And oh, would you look at that, Kakashi's had ideas for how to direct Sasuke on his training anyways, so the occasional one-on-one sessions have their benefits.
Sometimes they are genuine training exercises. Sometimes. But for all three of them, it's often a chance to give them some personal time with their mentor, without the distractions of their teammates putting up any walls.
The difference with Sasuke and his regression is almost immediately evident.
He still shuts off, at first, turning taciturn and trying to keep a distance, while acting so hard like he's following along with anything Kakashi-sensei is explaining. It's quieter now, though, and any outbursts quiet in both frequency and intensity. And, whenever Kakashi tries to reassure him, physically or verbally.... the attempts are no longer rejected.
This emboldens Kakashi more - encouraging Sasuke to slow down or take breaks more, reassuring him more with sentiments or touches - building up into half-hugs around the genin's shoulders. And Sasuke, unable to fight it... Starts finally leaning into it. Taking the chances to rest without complaint, quietly internalizing Kakashi's softer words or even, as much as he hates it, leaning into the physical contact.
It eventually reaches a point where Sasuke himself starts initiating contact first, reaching to tap at his mentor's arm or grab his hand. He does it so hesitantly and shyly at first - but when Kakashi takes it in stride, not making a fuss over it or calling it out, he feels comfortable doing so more and more.
This does lead to Sasuke accidentally taking Kakashi-sensei's hand to ask a question during group training, which is immediately zeroed in on by Naruto... provoking another fight, as per usual. Kakashi has to break the tussling genin up yet again, worrying separately if this will set back Sasuke....
.... But fortunately it does not seem to, as, when Kakashi pulls him aside to check in, Sasuke just leans his head against his teacher's chest, grumbling in frustration.
A note I wasn't quite sure where to fit in but - Sasuke also likes being carried/held, once he starts acclimating to physical touch - though this is only really figured out when Kakashi or someone else is having to carry him due to exhaustion from training or a mission.
That's as far as I got! Also make no mistake - the boys can and do get along! But as much as I love Naruto, sometimes the thing about him is he will blunder into things or push back - things we see him do with Sasuke all the time! I just can't not see him getting into squabbles with Sasuke, especially when one or both of them are babybrained 🤭