Reason I Breathe

Chapter11

Naruto made moving in with Shikamaru an event. Sai and Kiba helped him move the things he did have, and helped him buy a few pieces of furniture to hold everything. Shikamaru reminded them all how bothersome they were throughout the weekend event. Naruto even managed to get the okay for the other two boys to stay the weekend. It was Sunday night before Naruto and Shikamaru had any time alone. Naruto was bouncing around like usual. The occasional wince notified Shikamaru the blonde was not fully healed. Naruto was sitting on the couch eating ramen when Shikamaru decided to talk to him. He sat on the floor next to the couch to watch a movie with Naruto.

"How long has it been?" Shikamaru asked.

"A few days," Naruto answered honestly. "Two weeks before I got beat upb but then I used what I had when I got that hotel room to go to school."

"Okay. I can live with that."

Naruto finished the cup of ramen. He chewed slowly on the last bit of noodles before Shikamaru’s words made sense. Naruto face lit up and he tackled Shikamaru. He cried out as he slammed into the floor.

"B-baka! You aren’t healed."

"But I’m happy."

Shikamaru pushed him off gently. He watched Naruto rearrange himself so he could face Shikamaru. Tears shone in his eyes, but his face showed the first true smile in days. Shikamaru frowned.

"Why do you like me?"

"Well, you’re smart! And hot. But you were there. You didn’t give up on me," Naruto answered.

"Neither did your friends," Shikamaru pointed out.

"Yeah, but they’ve watched me for years. And only three people really knew. Sasuke’s one fucked up kid. If I’m not his friend, he really won’t have anyone. Kiba’s been my best friend for seven years. And Sai’s… Well he’s Sai. Kind of hard to explain him," Naruto scratched his nose thoughtfully. "No one’s just accepted me so fully immediately. It’s like, what you see is what you get with you. And I like what I see."

Shikamaru blushed. He nodded slowly. Naruto smiled at him.

"Mendokusai," Shikamaru muttered.

"I’m so not troublesome! You gotta stop saying that," Naruto pouted before tackling him again.

Naruto’s lips smashed onto Shikamaru’s as he pushed the boy onto his back. Naruto’s arms were around his neck. Shikamaru’s arms slid around Naruto’s waist as he closed his eyes. Shikamaru rolled onto his side and held Naruto tightly. They stayed locked together until they needed air. Naruto giggled as they pulled back.

"See! I’ll be a good boy! Just say you’ll be mine. Please," he begged.

"Fine," Shikamaru sighed. "Mendokusai."

Naruto pouted again. He started to say something about the phrase, but Shikamaru kissed him again. He slipped his tongue into Naruto’s mouth to do his own exploring. He left Naruto breathless when he was done.

"Wow. Just let me lie here while I try to see again," Naruto whispered.

Shikamaru chuckled and pulled him into a hug. They eventually got up to sit on the couch and snuggle. Naruto fell asleep on Shikamaru’s chest sometime later. Shikamaru took him to bed, and held him close all night. Neither boy could remember sleeping so soundly in their lives.


****

Naruto pulled Shikamaru to sit with his friends for the first time. He pointed to an empty place on the school steps for Shikamaru to sit on. Once Shikamaru was seated, Naruto dropped into his lap happily. Sai nudged Naruto and winked, causing the blonde to blush slightly. He stuck his tongue out at the raven-haired boy and turned his face away. Shikamaru shifted. To anyone paying attention, he was clearly a little uncomfortable at the display. Kiba snickered at them.

"Ne, ne! Minna! This is Nara Shikamaru!" Naruto grinned.

He wrapped his arms around Shikamaru’s neck. Shikamaru shifted a little more.

"Naru, you’re making your boyfriend uncomfortable," Kiba pointed out.

Naruto pulled away quickly, apologizing franticly to Shikamaru.

"He gets too excited," Neji explained to Shikamaru.

"I don’t really mind. Just never really done this before," Shikamaru muttered.

"What? A boyfriend?" Sai asked.

"Well, that and other people."

"We don’t bite. Much," Sasuke smirked.

Naruto swung at Sasuke. He earned a chuckle as Sasuke dodged him easily. Fighting ensued between the two teens. Everyone had to just sit back and watch, as there was never any stopping them.

"Naru’s always like this. He’s just really friendly. He really likes you," Kiba leaned over to explain. "He’s kind of… marking his territory, if you will. Half the group is gay, and almost everyone else at least bi."

Shikamaru blushed at the information. The bell for class interrupted the fight - or rather, Naruto swinging at Sasuke, as the other boy dodged and teased him. Shikamaru took Naruto’s hand to calm him, and walked with him to class. Sai’s "aw" followed them into the building.

"So, eat inside today, okay?" Naruto pressed as they entered the classroom.

"Fine," Shikamaru gave in.

Naruto smiled and squeezed his hand before letting go. They took their seats and attempted to focus on their lessons.


****

Shikamaru fell back onto his bed as Naruto removed his own shirt. Their school bags had been abandoned in the living room. Their lips had attached to each other’s as they made their way to the bedroom. They had teased each other silently all day. Naruto tackled Shikamaru to the bed, with kisses trailing down his neck. Shikamaru’s shirt had hit the floor first. Naruto latched onto a soft spot on Shikamaru’s shoulder, and sucked. He extracted a moan from the boy below him. Shikamaru’s hands traveled down Naruto’s back as he melted under the attention. Shikamaru pulled Naruto’s face to his own. They stared into each other’s eyes for a moment. Shikamaru blushed.

"I’ve never done this before," he admitted.

"No problem. I’ll get the lube!" Naruto announced happily.