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This creative work of fanfiction is written by the author miseria81, and this work is only posted in AO3 nowhere else. If you see this work posted anywhere else aside from AO3 then it was stolen. The author miseria81 does not allow any reposts of their works. They do not allow their works to be fed into generative AI machines or any AI whatsoever. Long live the creative human spirit. Fuck AI.
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After the Party [1]
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The silence of the night was welcomed as they reached the Aburame residence, hands still held by one another, Shino was almost disappointed when Shikamaru let go and the warmth in his hand easily disappeared as he opened the door.
“This is your stop then. I’ve had a wonderful time today Shino.” Shikamaru leaned in to place a kiss on Shino’s cheek.
“Me too.” The smile on those lips so fond, Shikamaru didn’t hesitate to capture them with his own again and again.
Shino flushed as they parted, a sight Shikamaru was deeply becoming familiar with. Then the bug nin whispered between them, almost shy, “Would you care to stay for the night? I know you have work tomorrow, so I won’t be insisting but- If you wanted, you can stay.”
Shikamaru’s eyes lit up, almost sparkling. “I’d love too.” And he immediately followed Shino indoors, closing and locking the door behind them.
“Do you want to take a bath first?” Shino offered.
The sweat and grim from the day had clung to Shikamaru so he accepted the offer. “A bath would be nice, although you can go first if you want. I can wait.”
Shino frowned. “As the guest you should be first.”
A thought crossed Shikamaru’s mind and he drawled, “We could always take a bath together. Saves time and water.” Deviously, he glances at his boyfriend.
As expected Shino’s face reddens at the comment and he vigorously shakes his head. Then he whispers beneath his breath, looking away from the Nara, “Not today.”
Shikamaru perks up at what he heard and immediately wraps his arms around Shino’s waist, pulling him to rest on his chest. Shino huffs but relaxes into the warmth behind him, he could feel Shikamaru’s heartbeat like this. Strong and steady.
Squeezing his boyfriend’s waist just a little bit, Shikamaru leans in to whisper into Shino’s ear. “Alright, I’ll go first. But I’ll be holding you to that Shino. Ok?” He feels Shino sigh.
“Fine.” The kiss on his cheek catches him off-guard and Shino feels the heat reach his ears. He gingerly extracts himself from Shikamaru’s hold. “I’ll go prepare the bath, make yourself at home.”
Watching Shino as he went to the bedroom, Shikamaru breathed in deep, looking around him with a smile of satisfaction. Shino’s house was rapidly becoming familiar. His gaze stops on the bouquets on the coffee table, displayed on a white vase, and his smile grows wider. The carnations and sunflowers blended together beautifully, colors so vibrant. He remembers insisting yesterday that they should combine their bouquets and use them to decorate Shino’s place. He knows he won’t be able to take care of them if he brought the flowers home, not to mention he was still living with his mom after all. That was also another thought that Shikamaru had started to consider, finding a house of his own.
“The bath is ready, are you fine with borrowing some of my clothes for now?”
“Sure thing.” In spite of his relaxed response, Shikamaru was actually excited at the prospect of using his boyfriend’s clothes. He’ll have to go commando of course, but that was fine, he’ll just do the laundry tomorrow morning before heading out.
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Shikamaru was on the bed, laying on his side, curled up comfortably as he basked in the scent of matcha and vanilla wafting from the clothes he wore. He didn’t think it was possible but wearing Shino’s clothes had made him even more comfortable than he already was. A month ago, he wouldn’t have believed it if someone had told him that he would be in a romantic relationship by this time. Back then it seemed improbable. But now…
The bathroom door opens and Shikamaru takes a peek, belatedly noting that he had closed his eyes earlier.
“Well someone’s ready to go to bed.” The bed dipped as Shino took a seat, hand towel drying his hair.
“Hn yeah, but not without my boyfriend wrapped in my arms.” Shikamaru sat up, stretching slowly before reaching out to the towel in Shino’s hand. “Let me.”
Shino almost declined, but his tiredness got the best of him and he allowed Shikamaru to do as he pleased, turning around to let Shikamaru thoroughly dry his hair.
Shikamaru talked as he gently dried Shino’s wet locks, mind getting lost in the motions. “This reminds me of the first time you brought me here. I wouldn’t have ever guessed that things ended up this way.”
Shino hummed, low and soft. “Me neither. But I’m glad it was you.”
That sentence struck something inside Shikamaru’s mind, but he made sure the task at hand was complete before he broached the topic. With Shino’s hair mostly dry, Shikamaru threw the towel into the basket, luckily not missing. Shino shook his head at Shikamaru’s antics but leaned into the Nara’s open arms nonetheless. Shikamaru adjusted his legs to rest on either side of Shino so he could keep the bug nin cradled closely in his arms, back to chest, arms wrapped around Shino’s torso. Shikamaru loved this position not only for the warmth and closeness, but also because he can scent Shino as much as he pleased.
Before both of them could fall asleep Shikamaru finally brought up the topic that was buzzing in his mind.
“I remember when you approached me to ask me for help, you mentioned you had other people in mind. So~”
Shino had his eyes closed, but he was listening closely. “So?”
“Who were they?”
“Shikamaru-“ Shino groaned, not sure of he liked where this topic was leading.
“Oh I’m not upset if that’s what you’re thinking. I was just curious.”
A beat of silence.
“Do you really want to know?”
Shikamaru hummed, ducking his head to rest his chin on Shino’s shoulder. “Only if you want to say it. As I mentioned, it’s only curiosity fueling the question.”
“Ok, but you did this to yourself.”
Shikamaru chuckled. “I’ll accept the consequences.”
“Don’t tell anyone else about this.”
“You have my word.” Shikamaru promised, burying his face into the nook where Shino’s shoulder met his neck. Shino squirmed a bit at the sensation but settled soon afterwards.
“So aside from you I was considering asking Kiba.”
Shikamaru hummed, that was an expected answer. And he didn’t like to think about it much but Kiba would’ve accepted to help without hesitation and they probably would’ve started going out. However, Shikamaru already knew about Kiba’s interest in Kankuro from the Sand Village.
“Then the list follows: Neji, Lee, and Choji. If none of you would’ve accepted, then I could have easily written an application at the heat center or endured the full heat cycle on my own as I previously planned.”
Out of all the names Shino had mentioned only one seemed to pop out the most. “Neji?”
“Yes, Neji.” The sleep was slowly bleeding into Shino’s tone but he stayed attentive to Shikamaru’s responses. “I’m surprised it’s his name that caught your attention and not Choji’s.”
“Ah well, I already know Choji is courting someone. Lee is, well, you know. But Neji- Well, I think what I mean to say is- what made you consider asking him?”
“He’s one of the Alphas who’s close to my age. He’s smart and polite enough to not make a big deal out of my request. He isn’t shy about these types of things. And if I asked him I’m sure I would’ve received a straight cut answer that didn’t beat around the bush.”
They both sat in silence for a while, Shikamaru’s mind running over the information a few times over.
“Shikamaru?”
Instead of directly answering Shikamaru changes their positions so that they’re laying on their sides, heads supported by the pillows. Shino allowed the manhandling, tired as he was, grateful for the softness of the bed that greeted him.
Shikamaru adjusted his embrace around Shino so he could comfortably pull the drowsy shinobi close. “Well I’m also glad you asked me first.”
“Mhmm. I imagine if I had asked the others they’d had said no anyway.” Shino reached for the hand wrapped around his waist and threads their fingers together, eyes already closing with sleep. “Goodnight Shikamaru.”
“Goodnight Shino.” Shikamaru feels Shino’s breathing slowly stabilize and he’s left with his thoughts.
Going back to their topic Shikamaru was certainly surprised when Shino had mentioned Neji, but when the bug nin explained his reasoning Shikamaru understood why the Hyuuga was in the list. However, if he thought about it hard enough there was actually a possibility that a relationship between Neji and Shino would bloom. Neji wasn’t personally pressed to find a romantic partner but Shikamaru was aware that the Hyuuga clan elders were urging him to find a partner quickly and to continue the family line. So it would’ve been possible for Neji to see Shino’s offer as a sign and would’ve used it as an opportunity to ask Shino out.
Unease roiled in his chest at the thought, but the sleeping man wrapped in his arms quickly dashed those thoughts. It was stupid to think about what ifs anyway, Shino was right here in his arms and he’d give everything to make things remain that way. He’ll love the other to the core of his being, treasure him, take care of him, and hopefully one day marry him as well.
But that was for the future him to focus on. He pulls the blanket to cover both of them, gently scooting closer to hold Shino in his embrace once more. For now he basks in the scent of vanilla and matcha, melts into the heat created by both of their bodies, and closes his eyes while feeling the steady heartbeat in front of him.
His to treasure and his to hold.