Holding Pattern

Title: Cloudscapes (Sequel to Holding Pattern)

Pairing: ShikaNeji

Warnings: M/M pairings, no sexual content, COMPLETE

Disclaimer: Kishimoto still owns Naruto and no money was made from writing this. Shock.

A/N: So Kita and I thought we'd do a sequel to Holding Pattern since people really seemed to like it (a couple even wanted to see Shika's side of things, but didn't want to ask) and because it was fun to work together. Kita is, by the way, the brilliant one with the titles. Those are ALL her.



Shikamaru considered himself both practical and pragmatic, unlike his partner. It was never lover, nor would it ever be that. The word itself sent him fleeing faster than the clan deer. Most people assumed it implied emotions, but he saw it more as an acceptance of responsibility and there were far too many tied to that word. Beyond that, there were implicit roles and Shikamaru didn't particularly care for them either. 



Partner as a term suited them better. It fit their friendship as well as what it had evolved into and it set them as equals -- which he preferred. Shikamaru was, however, all too aware of the dynamics of their not-quite-a-relationship, so he never even bothered with that term outside of his own thoughts. People would use it as an excuse to use other terms and it would be too much trouble to explain.



Neji was reserved and maybe it was because he spent so much time with his oblivious team, but he was not nearly as subtle as he thought he was. His reactions were driven by emotions and he gave them away more than he was probably aware. Picking up on Neji's mood was easier than figuring out what new thing he'd done to piss Ino off.



He listened to everything Neji said, only rarely offering more than a noncommittal grunt or a questioning "Hmm?" but more importantly... he listened to everything Neji did not say. He catalogued every nuance of tone, every shift in position; the thousand tiny minutia that added up to the whole.



He knew more of Neji's secrets than the ones Neji poured into his nonjudgmental ear. He knew of Neji's desperate need to find an anchor when the purpose that had shaped his life for so long was suddenly nonexistent. Neji had been told his entire life how to act, what his role was, what his boundaries were and even what to think. It was obvious that he resented the people who'd done that. The last thing he needed, whether he realized it or not, was another person to add to that list.



It also wasn't in Shikamaru's nature to do those things. His laziness aside and the fact that it was more highly unnecessary work, Shikamaru didn't like the annoying behavior. Every woman around him tried it and there was no way he'd do it to another person. Especially not Neji. He understood how much of Neji had been sculpted by those around him, by the roles they expected of him. Shikamaru also knew that without those expectations, Neji was adrift. 



Which was, perhaps, why Neji clung to his twisted conceptions of what was really between them. Their relationship was built on desperation on Neji's part and simple acceptance on his own. Going out looking for a relationship, even a one night stand, was more of a hassle than he was interested in dealing with. He did not begrudge Neji's self-destructive reasoning or the fact that Neji saw him as some sort of last resort. His own reasons had a lot to do with the convenience and low maintenance of it all. Neji didn't expect flowers and huge romantic gestures. He also didn't expect to be chased. It was nice and more importantly -- not particularly stressful.



Shikamaru had figured all of it out ages ago. So, he simply waited, as endlessly patient as only he knew how to be. He understood one thing that Neji never did. No matter how much the clouds changed and drifted, forming patterns and imaginary landscapes, they remained at heart, the same. Their nature was unchanging.



While Neji cast about desperately for an anchor, a way to rationalize his lack of a purpose; Shikamaru remained solid and unchanging.



He wondered how long it would take Neji to realize that.