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He didn't know when it began, yet his instincts always made him bring extra food and snacks whenever his team had to train together in the village. Neji didn't really eat much, but one of his friends always forgot his own meals– at one point, Lee even looked forward to whatever it was that the alpha would give him to eat, and he would smile so brightly that his cheeks felt warm…
Neji wanted to keep seeing those adorable smiles of his, and so he even began bringing him gifts. Weights, flowers, and even little toys that made him think of the omega as soon as his gaze fell on them. Things that Lee loved with all of his soul, and he even began giving him things in return, or even… hugging him.
The brunet couldn’t comprehend why his chest felt so warm whenever his friend was affectionate with him, going as far as holding his hand whenever they walked together without anyone else– it was their thing, and Neji wasn’t really happy with such gestures in places where a crowd could see them, so his friend respected his wishes without complaint.
His uncle would never approve of him being with a male omega like him, much less with a clanless one, no matter how much the brunet enjoyed Lee’s company. That was why he disliked being affectionate in public; Hiashi would punish him if anyone informed him of the situation.
Still, Neji did enjoy his rival’s hugs while they were on their own, and sometimes they would just play-fight after training as if they were pups once more. Tenten would just roll her eyes and leave them alone, not wanting to get involved in case they suddenly decided it was a spar.
(It had happened more than once, and they had been the ones injured the most every single time. They would just chuckle afterwards, and their friend was the one to decide not to play with them anymore just in case she got too carried away.)
They were just resting after their daily workout, sharing a small meal with each other without minding anything else– without minding how close they were, knowing well their teammates had long since left. Everyone close to the two was aware of their closeness, and didn’t really want to interrupt at all.
Neji loved having these small moments with his rival, knowing well Lee would hug him after being done with his food, playing with his hair after cleaning his hands. The brunet would never say it out loud, but that helped him relax– probably because his friend accidentally ended up leaving his scent all over him sometimes, or perhaps it was on purpose… he wasn’t brave enough to ask.
As expected, the omega embraced him from the side, resting his head on his shoulder without saying anything at all for a while. Neji’s arms were dubious, in his attempt to try to hug back until his friend spoke up once more.
“You smell really good today, rival! Are you using a new shampoo?” Lee asked with genuine curiosity in his eyes, not knowing the reason behind the change was his shyness coming to surface.
“I haven’t changed anything,” the alpha replied in a whisper, feeling his cheeks warming up as his companion began sniffing him, trying to understand what was going on. “Lee, don’t– what are you doing?”
“Just trying to see what it is. Why do you smell so good today?”
‘You keep forgetting I’m an alpha’, Neji wanted to reply, though he decided to be quiet, chuckling and rolling his eyes without pushing his friend away. Once Lee was satisfied, he just hugged him again, with a little smile decorating his face.
The brunet spoke before being able to stop himself from further embarrassing himself.
“You're so cute, Lee,” was all he said, only then covering his face in an attempt to hide his reddening cheeks, no matter how futile it was. The omega had probably figured out his shyness was the source of the ‘nice scent’ , or at least that’s what he believed.
“Oh, I am not– I am sure you tell other omegas the same,” Lee teased, though it didn’t seem like a joke. The brunet slowly uncovered his face to look at his friend, who was the one blushing now. “Neji, you are a handsome alpha. Everyone likes you! I have seen how others look at you. I know you must tell everyone the same thing…”
His friend began to let go of their embrace, and the smell of an upset omega invaded his nose– Neji didn’t want him to stop hugging him… trying to not intimidate Lee, he turned around and carefully held his hands, wanting to cheer him up in some way.
“But I don’t like other omegas. I… I like you, Lee. You really didn’t notice me courting you, did you?” he muttered at last, and the surprise in Lee’s face told him everything he needed to know.
“That is impossible. I am ugly, and I can not do much, and–”
Before the omega could go on, Neji got closer to him, just to press his lips on his forehead. Lee now was emanating unparalleled joy, and the brunet felt himself being hugged once more between silly chuckles.
“Well, I think you’re cute. Are you saying I’m wrong?” he teased, smiling as Lee had the brightest grin on his face now, holding him closer and feeling comfortable in his arms.
“Of course not! I am just… surprised,” his rival said, not minding it when it was Neji who began playing with his hair, gently caressing him. “I like you too, Neji! And– oh, we have to go on a date!”
That was true. But for now, Neji was just happy to hug the other boy, who began giving different ideas as to what they could do… nothing different than their usual reunions, yet the alpha liked to see how excited his rival became thanks to his happiness.
Hiashi wouldn’t like it, though they had no reason to inform him about the change in their relationship. They’d deal with that as the correct time approached.
