Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

♪ "When there's no one on your doorstep
When there's no one to deny
When there's no one in the darkness
I think you'll finally realize
That it was me that held you hostage
That is was me that held the key
That it was me that made you happy
That it was me that set you free

Baby, it's alright
Use me anytime" ♪

His head was spinning. Not the kind that felt like simple dizziness after standing up too fast—especially since he hadn’t even opened his eyes yet. He was lying down, forcing them to stay shut. A gap in the curtain let the sun and all its magnificence pour into the room. He grumbled, both because the brightness had woken him and because the world seemed to be spinning inside his head. He fumbled across the bed, pulling the sheet up to his face to block the light. It was still spinning, like a shuriken thrown at a target. The difference was that the sharp weapon stopped spinning once it hit something; here, there was nothing like that. Just the relentless spinning.

"What the hell!" he complained to no one but himself. He was alone there, after all—some things never changed. The difference now was the damn headache.

He gave up on staying in bed, forcing his body upright and sliding his legs over the edge until he was sitting on the mattress, still with his eyes closed. He feared that if he opened them, everything would spin even more, and as a grand finale to the gyroscopic show, his stomach would dump everything it had kept from the night before. “Oh shit, last night!” The slap landed on his forehead, and the curse followed right after.

"Shika!" he opened his eyes so quickly, standing up the very moment he remembered he hadn’t ended up there alone. Shikamaru had taken him home safely, like the true friend he was.

But there was no answer, and when he looked around he realized he was completely alone. Unless, of course, this was some powerful genjutsu where everything spun so much that Naruto couldn’t see anyone. That would be something worth practicing for missions—he could attest it was effective!

It was the nausea after drinking. He knew he shouldn’t have overdone it—but when didn’t he overdo it? He was the ninja of impulses, the one who threw himself headfirst into everything. Maybe that was why he had so many unnecessary pains, like this damned nausea now as he pressed his hands against his stomach and bent forward. He could even hear that little laugh inside his mind, from the corner of his subconscious that was always ready to annoy him.

Of course Kurama would laugh. He was a “friend” Naruto couldn’t push away, hide, or silence. Naruto would never admit that sometimes that damn nine-tailed fox actually knew how to give good advice—but just laughing? That was a real cheap shot!

He would have complained if he hadn’t needed to run to the bathroom. It was certain he would purge whatever was making him feel sick—but did it really have to be everything?

After he recovered and took a good shower, he didn’t even want breakfast—at least not right then. He looked at himself in the mirror. At the very least, he looked awful, but it didn’t matter—not when he had more important things to deal with, and dark circles under his eyes weren’t on that list. Finding Sakura and talking to his friend about what had happened the night before—yes. And he also hoped he could talk to Shikamaru. Everything in its own time. As already established, dark circles weren’t that urgent.

The sun—so bright and so yellow. Shikamaru had been right. Naruto really was regretting drinking too much. He walked through the village alleys with his eyes half closed to keep the light from stabbing his retinas. How did Tsunade and Jiraiya manage to drink so much? Was the next day always like this? Why did they keep doing it???

He was supposed to find Sakura at the flower shop. He seriously doubted his friend would have had the courage to go home after the state everyone had been in after the party. Ah—the party. With every step he remembered flashes of conversation with Shikamaru, the friend admitting he accepted missions to help him somehow, always searching for information about Sasuke. What else had happened? He knew there had been something more, because whenever he thought of Shikamaru he felt something strange in his chest, and even a tingling on his lips as if trying to remember the texture of someone else’s lips against his.

And—

"Shit!"

It seemed that he had finally remembered.

And if that really was it, it explained why he was running in long strides toward the Yamanaka flower shop. Before anything else, he needed someone to look him straight in the eyes and threaten to punch him—just like he knew Sakura would. Maybe he was just imagining things, right? Maybe Sakura could help clear his mind about whatever they had talked about the night before.

He arrived almost shouting and would have woken everyone up if it weren’t already late. Instead, he was greeted by an extremely irritated Ino, who threw the water from one of the plants in its jar at him before immediately replacing it. He couldn’t really complain—not when he had burst in breathless and yelling for Sakura as if his life depended on it, completely forgetting about the headache that returned like a perfectly aimed jutsu.

"As if those orange clothes weren’t already enough to draw everyone’s attention in the village, now you come here shouting too?"

Ino’s usual sour tone didn’t bother him anymore. Actually, finding her first might come in handy.

"Ino, why do you do so much for Sakura?"

The question burst out suddenly, surprising even him as he looked at her and noticed the flicker of panic in her expression.

First came denial—the shake of her head and blond strands, her hands raised in front of her body in the same gesture of refusal. The apron she always wore at the flower shop seemed to move as well, though maybe that was just the way she was breathing faster. Then Ino laughed—not because she found it funny, but a nasal laugh that showed her discomfort.

"Because we’re friends. Wouldn’t you do the same for a friend?"

Her right hand reached for a lock of hair, fiddling with it for a moment before tucking it behind her ear. Then she wiped her hands on the apron, drying them. Her blue eyes seemed to tell Naruto much more than her words did—the way she had lost some of her composure, and even more so the way she smiled when she saw Sakura open the small door that led to the back of the flower shop.

That smile gave away a lot. The look in her eyes gave it away too.

And you’d have to be pretty stupid not to add two plus two together—and Naruto wasn’t stupid. He was a bit blind, thickheaded, and still disoriented from everything that had happened lately… from the recent departures. But Shikamaru was doing for him the same thing Ino was doing for Sakura. Was that the kind of look Shikamaru gave him? Was that the kind of smile?

How long had it been since he had actually seen Shikamaru truly smile?

"Why were you shouting?" Sakura asked, as gentle as ever.

"It’s nothing… I think I already know. Thanks!"

As quickly as he had arrived shouting, he left in silence, carrying with him the crazy and confusing thoughts about what all of that really meant.

Sakura had missed all the information.

Ino, on the other hand, had the entire equation needed to add everything up and reach the right answer.

❃

There was no sign of Shikamaru. Not at home, at least. But Naruto soon remembered that: 1—Shikamaru wasn’t a kid anymore; 2—he was probably busy with the councilors or some other task that had been assigned to him.

He wasn’t anywhere Tsunade knew of either. According to her, he was on a day off.

"No missions, Granny?"

"Naruto, I’ve already told you to stop calling me that. It only gives away my age."

"Yeah, the age of an old lady, but let’s get to the important part… no idea?"

Naruto couldn’t sit still in that office, pacing from one side to the other with restless energy, eager to talk to the one person who might give him answers—at least he hoped so.

"Unless he finally accepted the invitation from the Hidden Sand Village. Gaara’s sister can be pretty persuasive when she wants something, and apparently she needed Shikamaru’s help, so…"

That was the end of the conversation.

Sitting down and waiting seemed like the only thing left to do. The good side of it was that he would have time to try to understand what all of this might mean—not for Shikamaru, but for himself. He could also think about whether he had imagined everything, a trick played by his own mind, tired of running in circles after someone who was never truly there.

In moments like that, Kurama might actually have been welcome.

But he stayed silent. Tch.

❃

The road brought silence—something he would never get if he had stayed in the village. Accepting that last-minute departure had been the most impulsive decision he had made, after the night before. After allowing himself to touch and kiss the one he had loved in secret for so long. He wasn’t running away, just postponing things.

Right, who was he trying to fool?

He was running away and hoping that Naruto wouldn’t remember anything—at least nothing significant—from the night before. With how much he had drunk on what was basically an empty stomach, it was possible he wouldn’t remember anything at all.

He had acted impulsively, foolishly, stupidly—and completely in love. He knew that giving in to the intrusive thought would only bring more complications, but it had felt so good. Even if only for a few seconds, even if Naruto had passed out right after the kiss, ending it by being knocked out by sleep.

At least he would keep in his memory the vivid sensation of touching Naruto’s lips with his own.

And he would also have three days of travel to think—and rethink—everything.

❃

The Hidden Sand Village seemed to be in celebration. It was quite a relief for Shikamaru, who certainly needed a distraction that could truly eclipse Naruto from his thoughts.

Children ran through the streets, and some of them even waved when they saw him. The time of pain that village had endured finally seemed to be behind it, allowing its people to be free to live.

"You came!" she tried to disguise it at the end, but her tone gave away her happiness at seeing him. Temari was still wearing her mission clothes; she hadn’t gotten ready for the village festivities yet. "I thought you’d refuse the invitation, like you always do."

"Well, this time I wasn’t on a mission, so there wasn’t any reason to refuse."

Not that he refused only because of that—he refused so he wouldn’t give false hope or whatever it was Temari expected from him. Still, this time he really did need to be away from the Hidden Leaf Village, even if only for a few days to enjoy a celebration in their allied village.

Temari was talkative along the way. She exchanged a few words with Kankuro, they ran into Gaara, and the whole time Shikamaru had to keep convincing himself to pay attention to the blonde’s genuine happiness, hoping that maybe someone stubborn and different could overshadow his thoughts of another blonde.

Dressed for the festivities, Temari found him waiting for her in the square, leaning against a wall while watching—without truly seeing—the children, the couples walking arm in arm, and without even noticing Temari’s new and beautiful outfit.

He couldn’t deny it—he had enjoyed himself. She was spontaneous, had a different sense of humor, and a lot of personality. She talked a lot, which was good for Shikamaru and his constant laziness when it came to saying more than five words an hour.

But he knew—and he suspected she had finally understood—that he was a lost cause when it came to relationships.

"I’d like to know who did this to you…"

Her voice was softer at the end of the night as they walked away from the party, each carrying a small bottle of sake that they sipped from discreetly. Shikamaru paused briefly, looking into her eyes. He blinked a few times while taking another sip from the bottle, then brought his free hand to the back of his neck, squeezing it as if to relax. He wanted a cigarette, but he was trying to be moderate with that habit before it killed him.

"What makes you think someone’s involved? I could just be one of those people who don’t look for relationships or love." It took courage to get the words out.

"No, Shikamaru. There is someone. Your eyes give it away. You might be an excellent ninja on missions, but you can’t hide that." She only answered him once they started walking again. "Thanks for walking me home."

She gestured upward, indicating that she was basically already home—she only needed to climb a few flights of stairs.

"I asked you to come not only to see you, but also because I found what I know you’ve been looking for."

She knew what he was looking for? Was she speaking romantically, or about what he had been searching for on behalf of a friend? He waited for her to continue, but she was looking to the side, as if she had suddenly been overcome by embarrassment.

"I didn’t imagine he would be your type…"

His type?

Wait…

"Sasuke, he—"

He gestured, needing to cut her off. She thought Sasuke was his type? The one who ran away and left friends and loved ones behind in pursuit of a revenge that would finish off what little remained of his family?

"I'm not looking for him because he’s my type. I’m doing someone a favor."

He noticed from her expression that she seemed relieved.

"I’m not searching for him for myself, but because someone needs him—someone I…"

Someone he loved? Yes. Someone he would protect? Also yes. Someone he would rather see with another if that made him happy? Yes.

"Then these are the pieces of information you need."

She placed a small sealed scroll into his hand.

"But know that he’s getting farther and farther away. Delivering this information to whoever you plan to give it to… might take that person far away from you as well."

Going against her usual behavior, she leaned in, closing the distance between them to press a kiss to his cheek. Right after, she gently brushed the spot, as if wiping away any lipstick or trace of sake that might have passed from her lips to his face.

"Good luck, Shikamaru."

She didn’t give him time to thank her, climbing the steps that led to her home as quickly as possible. Nor did he have time to think about what he was doing—when he realized it, he was already running toward the Hidden Leaf Village as if his life depended on getting there quickly.

If the trip there had taken three days, his body now seemed determined to make the return in less time.

❃

The day had not yet broken, but Shikamaru was already at Naruto’s door. It took more than five knocks before his sleepy friend opened it, not even bothering to ask who it was.

"Shika…? Do you know what time it is?!"

The little beanie on his head would have been comical—it was a bit too small for his head these days—but sometimes he still wore it to bring back the feeling of being younger, the feeling of his life before falling in love with someone who had abandoned him.

Shikamaru, however, didn’t step inside. He didn’t say anything. He looked carefully at Naruto’s face, the messy hair, the crooked beanie on his head, the pajama pants and bare chest. His feet were bare as well. It was as if he wanted to look at him one last time.

It had been almost six days without seeing him—days spent on the road moving away from him and then returning to him. For Shikamaru they had been days like any other; for Naruto they had been days of clarity. Days when he had been able to sit down with Sakura and talk about Sasuke, talk with Ino—though against her will—about Shikamaru. Days when he could understand that he probably felt more than simple friendly affection for Shikamaru.

"This is for you."

He handed over the still-sealed scroll. He didn’t want many details, didn’t want to know exactly where Naruto would go to chase after Sasuke.

"In the end I really did manage to find the direction to point you toward, didn’t I?"

There was so much sadness in his voice that he himself couldn’t recognize it—but Naruto could.

And that was enough for him.

He took the paper, but also gripped his friend’s hand, pulling him inside the small and modest house. The bed was messy, a table held a dirty bowl with chopsticks tossed carelessly on it.

"Direction?"

Naruto was still a little confused—he had been woken up abruptly, after all. But he didn’t need Shikamaru to explain. The symbol of the Hidden Sand Village, Shikamaru’s sadness, his words—all of it made him remember exactly what his friend had once told him:

"I know you didn’t ask me to, I did it because I wanted to. Because I thought you deserved to at least know where he is. Not that I want to encourage you to go after him—definitely not! But if someday you decide to go looking for him, I’ll at least be able to point you in the right direction."

Shikamaru had fulfilled his unspoken promise.

Was that what Naruto wanted?

Not anymore.

"Shika…"

He hadn’t let go of Shikamaru’s hand, and he didn’t want to. He feared that if he did, Shikamaru would leave—even though he had promised he would never abandon him.

Was that it? Was that what Naruto had been doing to him with every request? With every promise? Was this how you broke someone who loved you? Was he doing to Shikamaru what Sasuke had done to him?

No. No.

"I was waiting for you to come back from the Hidden Sand Village—not with information, but with you."

It was so hard to look at him that Shikamaru preferred to keep his eyes lowered, staring at the hand gripping his own. Unfortunately for him, he also caught sight of the strip of skin stretching above the waistband of those pajama pants.

He swallowed.

"Me?"

He was almost forced to look up by Naruto’s gentle hand under his chin.

Naruto was supposed to open the scroll, wasn’t he? Shikamaru had imagined that was what his friend would do the moment he saw it—prioritizing, as always, the one who had abandoned him.

"I think you were right, Shika. When you said I wasn’t seeing things clearly. You’ve always been by my side—and not just as my friend, right?"

Shikamaru hadn’t pushed him away. He was barely breathing. It felt like one of those nightmares where you’re standing naked in the middle of the village—except this was worse. Much worse. It had been such a carefully guarded secret… he had let only a tiny bit slip out the night he allowed himself to kiss Naruto. He truly hadn’t expected Naruto to remember, much less throw it back at him at a moment like this.

"If I’m wrong, stop me…"

But he wasn’t.

And Shikamaru couldn’t stop him—not when, to get even closer, Naruto took the scroll from his hand and tossed it aside, where it hit the tabletop and fell to the floor, out of sight. Not when stopping him would mean touching Naruto’s bare torso. Not when stopping him would mean denying him a soft, warm kiss. A shy kiss that began by brushing lightly against his lower lip.

Naruto remembered quite clearly—not perfectly, but enough—what Shikamaru’s lips had felt like against his. The sensation repeated itself now. The gentleness, the faint scent of mint despite all the cigarettes and whatever else.

But there was something new.

Shikamaru’s hand on his waist, the hesitant touch as if one wrong movement might make everything collapse. The day hadn’t even begun to rise, yet Naruto already saw the sun. In truth, it was the glimmer of a tear Shikamaru had tried to hold back. His eyes were open, full of shock, euphoria, fear, and hope.

It took him another second to truly understand that he was being kissed—and another to allow himself to touch him back. He pulled him closer, feeling the warmth of his torso even though Shikamaru’s shirt got a little in the way. Shikamaru’s hand slid up to the back of Naruto’s neck, deepening the kiss just a little more—just enough to ease the urge he had to truly, truly kiss him. It had been his desire for so long…

"Naruto…"

"Shhh, not yet."

As he spoke, both his lips and the breath leaving his mouth brushed against Shikamaru’s. He closed his eyes and laughed almost imperceptibly—but Shikamaru’s lips were still pressed to his, so he noticed.

"Almost like I remembered… maybe with a little extra touch of lust."

"Lust?"

"Ah, you know—that word shows up in the books by the Pervy Sage."

He laughed more openly.

"I wasn’t ready to realize just how much you were really here for me."

He pulled back slightly to look him in the eyes, taking the chance to wipe away the single tear that had gathered there.

"You always were… and I was too blind to notice. Every time you left… every time you came back. You went because you thought it would make me happy—but when you came back, I was happy. With or without news, Shikamaru. I felt better because it was you coming back to me."

How many times had he longed to hear something like that? How many times had he dreamed of Naruto saying—not those exact words—but something very close to them?

Was he allowing himself to be used? Was he letting Naruto soothe his longing and desire with him? Was that all it was, or was there real truth in those words? Naruto was a terrible liar, and he wasn’t the type to lie either. Still, it all felt too good to be real. Especially when Shikamaru had arrived there expecting to have his heart and feelings trampled in Naruto’s rush to chase after Sasuke.

"When we were younger… there was a time I thought about it. But then so many things happened… he happened. And I think I just accepted our friendship as a safe harbor forever."

If Naruto had more to say, Shikamaru wouldn’t know—and he wouldn’t allow him to continue at that moment. Not when his mouth silenced him with a kiss so passionate that he might even have hurt his own lips in the urgency of pressing himself against Naruto’s mouth. He could taste a faint hint of blood within the kiss, but he couldn’t stop. Not when his hands were pulling Naruto’s body against his, not when he was being answered so eagerly.

He had waited so long for that.

Not to be pinned against the wall. Not to have his neck kissed and bitten. Not for the skillful hand that had managed to undo his pants and was now stroking him through the fabric of his underwear.

"Naruto…"

"Right, sorry. Too fast…"

"No…" Well, maybe? He didn’t even know if the door had been closed—it hadn’t. "I need a shower, remember? Days of traveling…"

Naruto didn’t need to say anything when his smile already gave away his thoughts.

"Well, I do too, since I got dragged out of bed in a hurry…"

He wanted it—he knew he did. His body wanted it, his mind wanted it, his heart wanted it. But he shook his head no. They would have time. And although he wanted Naruto, he needed to give him time to understand what he would be giving up—the information lying on the floor, the whereabouts of the one he had searched for so long, more than once.

"Alright. Can we meet later? I was thinking about that clearing no one goes to play in anymore. I’ll meet you there at the end of the afternoon."

Shikamaru only nodded as he left Naruto’s house. He needed a shower, some rest, and to put his mind in order after so much happening—after so many realizations. When he closed the door, the fear returned. There would be time for Naruto to read the information and leave… leaving him behind, just as he had always feared.

He would wait at that old clearing where they used to play when they were younger, where the other children had stayed away from Naruto—but he hadn’t.

He would wait for him there, where the beginning of a strong friendship had once started.

And perhaps something more.

❃

Naruto felt like he was on fire. Not literally—at least he hoped not. With Kurama, anything was possible, and the fox was always there, even when silent in the back of his mind. He felt his heartbeat, felt it almost pressing against his chest. It had been so long since he had felt like this… truly alive, seen, desired. Wasn’t this how it was supposed to be? Happiness at being with someone, not the uncertainty of when they would leave. He took a deep breath and went to take a shower to clear his mind—and calm the rest of his body.

He spent the day running from place to place, picking up some things from Ino, others from Sakura. He was so busy that he forgot about what Shikamaru had handed him.

Shortly before leaving the house, there it was. It almost seemed to shine on the floor near the table, as if trying to pull his attention toward it. He picked it up and read it.

His heart tightened in his chest. He knew that not every answer was truly wanted. Maybe forgetting would have been the right choice—but now he knew. He knew the direction, he knew where to find him. All he had to do was open the door and follow it…

When he stepped through the door of his house, he didn’t look back. He would have to give something up—something he had held onto for so long… something he had believed was meant for him.

But maybe it wasn’t.

❃

Shikamaru was nervous. He had slept—not because he had managed to relax, but because he had been so euphoric, exhausted, and with so many things in his mind at once that after his shower he had simply fallen into a restless sleep. When he woke up, he wondered if giving Naruto time hadn’t been the wrong choice after all. He needed another shower just to clear his head, washing his hair and leaving it loose to dry. He wore his usual clothes; he didn’t want to draw attention in the village, nor did he want to create expectations that Naruto would actually be waiting for him—after all, he had given his friend exactly what he had always wanted.

He walked slowly. He didn’t want to risk giving his heart the expectation of a happy ending. When he got close to the clearing, he thought about turning back. About turning around and going home. It was all too complicated, and he usually avoided complications… except that one. That complication he had chosen since he was a child, when he didn’t even know what he was really doing.

"I thought you wouldn’t come."

Naruto’s voice reached him before he even noticed everything his friend had done. There was a picnic blanket on the ground, a basket with some snacks, and most importantly…

He was there.

Standing beside the blanket, smiling, with his hand stretched out toward him.

Naruto had chosen him.

Finally.

❃

A little more than two days had passed. They were at the stage where kisses and a bit of making out were allowed. Naruto wanted to give Shikamaru time to be sure. He already was—but he still had his fears. Not because he thought Naruto would leave him to chase after Sasuke, but because he feared he didn’t have much to offer…

It was, of course, nonsense. Especially when the kisses turned into that—where air was almost a legend between their lips. Where the brush of Naruto’s tongue made him think of so many other ways that mouth could be used.

Once again, Naruto’s hand proved skillful in unbuttoning Shikamaru’s pants, pulling them down slightly so his hand could slip perfectly inside. This time there was no unwanted barrier from his underwear to get in the way. Naruto kissed his neck, nibbling at it as well, while Shikamaru had to bite near his shoulder to keep a moan from slipping through his damp lips.

Not that he was entirely successful.

The sound still reached Naruto’s ears, making him shiver and try even harder. They were standing by that same window where, not long before, Shikamaru had been sad seeing how shaken his friend was. Now he would have happier memories of that place.

"Can I?" the question came whispered as Naruto pulled off Shikamaru’s shirt, leaving a trail of kisses along his chest and abdomen. Soon he tugged his pants down to his thighs, along with his underwear. "I’ll take that as a yes…"

The breath against his body made him shiver. It was obvious he was aroused. Naruto had him in the palm of his hand—literally and figuratively. The slow strokes only heightened the anticipation, intensifying Shikamaru’s desire even more.

A single gentle touch of Naruto’s tongue against the tip was enough for Shikamaru to forget everything else—his composure, the idea of taking things slowly, the weak attempt not to grab those blond strands and clutch them tightly. Naruto’s smile vibrated through his body in a very specific place as he soon took him almost completely into his mouth.

The warm, open mouth, the wet sounds, the view from above…

Shikamaru had to steady himself against the window. His feet shifted between standing flat and rising onto his toes, trying to follow the rhythm Naruto set with his lips and head. He needed more. He wanted to hold back, wanted to let go…

"Naruto…"

"Hm?"

He hadn’t even stopped, only looking up at him while continuing. And from his perspective, the view was excellent too… Shikamaru with his hair loose, shirtless, pants and underwear halfway down his thighs, one hand tangled in Naruto’s hair while the other looked ready to break the window.

What did he want? To warn him?

Ah, Naruto could feel it. He knew Shikamaru was close to the edge. The trembling legs, the noisy breathing, the way his hips moved against his mouth… the signs were all there. Naruto didn’t want to boast about already knowing those signals—but he was very pleased to learn them on Shikamaru’s body.

He continued, not letting the hand in his hair stop him. In truth, he didn’t even know if Shikamaru wanted—or could—to stop him. He took him as deep as he could, the wet sounds almost too intoxicating.

It took no more than three or four deep pulls of that rhythm for Shikamaru to come in his mouth, some of it touching Naruto’s chin and dripping onto his own bare chest.

"You okay?"

The question sounded almost innocent as Naruto wiped his chin with two fingers and brought them to his mouth.

Everything felt overwhelming—like every sensation existed only to stimulate him further. Was he okay? Definitely. Could he put that into words? Not yet.

So he pulled Naruto into a kiss. He feared that if he tried to walk he might collapse; his legs still felt weak after everything. Funny how no training had ever prepared him for… well.

The kiss wasn’t chaste. It wasn’t shy.

It was intense, hungry, voluptuous.

It was the fire of a passion newly discovered and now being fed.

Shikamaru wouldn’t be able to remember—unfortunately—exactly how they ended up on the bed, with Naruto’s body over his, his legs straddling Shikamaru’s hips and thighs. What he would remember was the intoxicating sensation when Naruto wrapped his hand around both of their hardened bodies, the way he moved against him, the way he arched slightly and threw his head back while moaning.

He was receiving so much more than he had ever dared to want.

And when Naruto truly settled down over him, bracing both hands on his chest and scratching lightly…

Sex by itself should already have been something pleasurable. But with him—with the one Shikamaru had loved and desired for so long—

The bed creaked constantly, wood hitting the wall as Naruto moved with each motion over him. It didn’t take long before both of them were exhausted, Naruto lying on Shikamaru’s body while receiving gentle strokes along his back and a kiss pressed to his sweat-damp forehead.

"Thanks for staying."

Shikamaru was beginning to understand the whole cigarette thing. He really wanted one right now after so much exercise.

"You promised you’d stay, Shika. It wasn’t hard to choose who to stay with—not this time. Not with you being one of the options."

And maybe now Shikamaru could finally breathe easier, knowing that Naruto would choose him.

And it seemed that this would be a promise neither of them intended to break.