Working Together

3.

Shikamaru held his thumping heart as he woke up in Naruto's futon after a night of drinking. They didn't do anything raunchy, just happened to fall into the same sleeping space but the reason he felt his heart going crazy was due to the protective hold Naruto had placed him in. They were spooning with Naruto's wider frame covering him. He felt like he couldn't breathe as his heart rate went through the roof.

'What is this?' He wondered, it was certainly a new feeling. He didn't get to dwell on it as the blonde slowly woke up. He still had a dazed expression on his face, so much so that when faced with Shikamaru he only giggled before kissing his cheek. 'Ah, there goes my heart.'

The blonde got up and headed into the bathroom to freshen up for the day ahead. It was a rear day off hence they got drunk last night. While the bath was running a knock came at the door so Shikamaru had to answer the door. He was surprised to see it was Temari. He felt Naruto tug on his chakra and he returned it only he may have been a bit panicked and pulled back harder than normal.

"I forgot you were supposed to be stopping in for a meeting," His heart went limp as he saw her. They both mutually decided that with long-distance and their increasing commitment to their villages that it wasn't ideal for them to be together.

"I stopped over at your compound but the gatekeepers said you'd probably be here," She tried looking over his shoulder, and Shikamaru didn't block her. His influence in Naruto's apartment was visual. He had personally chosen all the furniture in the living room and as a result, it bore a dark green color with burnt orange highlights.

"I've been trying new things, reconnecting with my best friend," He didn't give details but judging from the flash of something unknown in Temari's eyes she was unhappy. "It's my day off and you have a meeting with the Hokage that hasn't nothing to do with me. Why are you here?" 

She bit her lip and looked down. "I miss you," She confessed softly as she looked back up at him. "I miss coming here and spending time with you. Yes it was long-distance and things were difficult but I love you and things will get easier. I want to get back together."

Shikamaru could feel Naruto close by, listening. "I'm sorry Temari but I've been developing feelings for someone else," He spoke softly but he knew the blonde could hear him. He wasn't one of the types to ignore his feelings. He knew he was gaining a romantic liking towards Naruto and he was willing to bet that the blonde's clinginess was his way of saying that he liked him too. He couldn't go back into the workaround that was Temari who was quick to angry and resistant to reason. He loved her at one point but he was willing to bet on his best friend. 

"Oh, well I guess that should be expected. It's been months since our break up and me avoiding you didn't help the situation either," She was rambling at this point and Shikamaru wanted an escape so he tugged on Naruto's chakra and the blonde like a saving grace appeared behind him. 

"Shika, it's your turn to take a shower so we can head out," Naruto called out. "Who's at the door?" He stood beside the Nara to see Temari, Shikamaru watched as Naruto's expression turned a bit bitter. "Oh, it's Temari." 

"Hey Naruto," She waved nervously. She and the blonde didn't have a great bond since she was the one who initiated the break-up in the first place and Naruto had to deal with Shikamaru falling apart in front of him. Safe to say Naruto wasn't pleased to see her on their doorstep. 

"You came back for more right?" He scowled as he pushed Shikamaru behind him. "Love to get off on people breaking apart right? Get lost and don't you dare approach Shikamaru ever again. You made that choice earlier in the year so what are you doing here now?" 

Temari was becoming angry but before she could protest Naruto slammed the door in her face. "You'd do well not to piss the future Hokage off Subaku!" He yelled through the door before turning to Shikamaru. "What the hell is wrong with you? You shouldn't have said anything to her and slammed the door in her face." 

"I froze seeing her there," Shikamaru mumbled and Naruto quickly calmed down when seeing his upset expression. Naruto hugged him and stroked his hair. 

"It's fine, I'm not upset with you. I'm upset at her nerve to approach and rekindle that dumpster fire of a relationship," Naruto's eyes narrowed as he tightened his grip. "I don't want you to be hurt ever again and whoever you've developed feelings, for now, will be under my scrutiny." 

Shikamaru started laughing as he hugged the blonde. 'You're going to be jealous of yourself. Somehow that doesn't surprise me.' 

Naruto and Shikamaru spent the day cleaning up the apartment and shopping for groceries and visiting the Nara compound to pack up more of Shikamaru's clothes. It was safe to say he was moving in with the blonde slowly and his parents wouldn't stop smirking while Naruto packed his clothes as he was downstairs entertaining them. As the day passed in their shared space Shikamaru finally got around to teaching Naruto Shogi and surprisingly the blonde took it like fish to the water as he did unexpected plays whenever Shikamaru finally felt comfortable to let his guard down. It was exciting to be on his toes when he wasn't his father doing the plays and his attraction for Naruto increased as he watched the blonde concentrate on his next move. 

"You're playing really well so far," Shikamaru concluded when they finished their 5th game. Naruto was grinning as he looked at the board, he hadn't won but he had backed Shikamaru in corners so that was a start. 

"Can we keep playing?" 

"You're serious?" 

"Shikamaru it's you and your clan's favorite pastime. It's time I indulged you a little since you support my room full of toad plushies," Naruto shrugged at a bit as a smile graced his lips. "Granted you're the only one to know about my toad plush collection." 

They both laughed as they set up a new game.