A Troublesome Series of Events

Sorry for making you guys wait so long. D: Just didn't feel like updating much. Thank you for the reviews! I hope you guys still like the story and are reading it, since there's been less of them.

Either way, here's the next chapter!

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Shikamaru snorted and raised an eyebrow questioningly. “And what would that price be?” he asked.

“Oh, something like… you giving me head? Not necessarily right when we get home, but we have a good few hours before its late…” He said, trailing off. At the moment, considering what they’d done at Shikamaru’s parents’ house, he was content, but later would be very nice.

“Maybe,” Shikamaru said, chuckling. “If I’m not too tired and if Naruto’s not back yet, then I don’t see why not.”

Sasuke smirked wider.

“Great. Then we have a deal.” Sasuke said, stopping and turning his back to the other. “Unless your feet feel better?”

Shikamaru gave a small snort and moved over to the Uchiha. “Like I’d give up a ride if they were?” he asked rhetorically before moving his arms to wrap around Sasuke’s neck from behind.

Sasuke laughed lowly. He bent down, sliding his hands down Shikamaru’s legs from his ass, until he held him on the underside of his mid thigh. He hoisted the Nara’s light weight up, walking again.

“Just checking. You never know, you might have exerted effort for this one time, you know?” He said jokingly, turning his head to look at Shikamaru with one eye.

Shikamaru leaned forward, resting his weight against Sasuke’s back so he wouldn’t over-balance. He smirked again before resting his chin on top of Sasuke’s head. “Then you don’t know me that well, do you?” he said back, teasing.

Sasuke turned back around, feeling his hair get twisted gently by Shikamaru’s chin pressing on it. He grinned lightly, though Shikamaru couldn’t see it.

“Oh, I didn’t expect it, but I gave you a chance.” He explained, gripping the Nara more securely and running, jumping onto rooftops. They weren’t all that far necessarily, but he didn’t feel like walking through the streets anymore.

Shikamaru chuckled lightly, closing his eyes and just enjoying the ride as much as he could in the few minutes to the apartment.

Sasuke remained quiet as well, leaping and bounding as softly as he could across the tops of the villagers’ houses. He smiled gratefully when the apartment came into view, happy at the thought of relaxing with Shikamaru, nobody barging in. They’d stopped doing that about three days ago, thank god.

“We’re here.” He said, opening the door and stepping through the threshold.

“Mm, you can put me on the couch,” Shikamaru said, peeking open an eye before closing it again. He was definitely going to milk this “don’t strain yourself” for all it was worth.

“Right away, your majesty.” Sasuke said, stepping up to the couch. He turned around, letting go of Shikamaru’s legs and unhooking his arms so that he fell back onto the couch.

Shikamaru chuckled and rearranged himself on the couch so he was more comfortable. He looked up at Sasuke after he was settled, half lying down. “You gonna sit?”

Sasuke turned around, smiling at the other boy with a light up tilt to the corner of his lips. He sat down beside him, slinging an arm over his shoulder.

“Of course. What do you feel like doing? Besides napping.”

Shikamaru shifted, leaning against Sasuke and resting his head against his. “Whatever. I don’t have anything I’d really like to do, so,” he said, shrugging a little.

Sasuke sat still, thinking on what it was they could do. His eyes lit when he hit on an idea, standing from the couch and moving to the TV across from them. While moving Naruto in, they’d discovered the blond had a minor addiction to video games, and while setting those up they’d found out Shikamaru never used his TV. Ever. It hadn’t even been plugged in.

“Let’s play some video games then.” He said, tossing a controller at the Nara before inserting a disk in and going back to his original spot.

Shikamaru raised an eyebrow but just shrugged and picked up the controller from where it landed. He settled back down into the couch and looked over at Sasuke. “Which game did you put in?”

“Naruto only owns old games like pacman and rally x, since he can’t really afford better games.” Sasuke said, sitting down next to the Nara. He began setting up the game while he continued. “So I put in this disk that has a lot of different old school games on it. We can choose which game we want from a selection.”

“You just choose a game. I’m obviously not picky,” Shikamaru said, bringing up his legs to sit cross-legged on the couch. He rested his arms on his knees, idly tapping the controller on his foot as he waited.

“Alright, pacman it is.” Sasuke said, clicking through the multiple menus’ until he came to the screen. “Push start a couple times.” He told Shikamaru, sitting back and waiting. “We won’t actually be playing as a team, just until one dies then the other plays until they die, until we both have run out of lives.”

Shikamaru nodded and pressed the button. He played first, hitting the arrow buttons as his player moved around. The Nara chuckled after a while, when his player finally lost a life. “You know, this reminds me of Chouji.”

Sasuke chuckled, playing his turn finally. The damn strategist had gone through level upon level of ghosts and fruits and little white dots, it had seemed like he’d never get a shot.

“Or Naruto if we changed the dots to ramen.”

Shikamaru leaned back against the couches back again to watch Sasuke play, having been hunched over while playing. He straightened out his legs, stretching them out and placing them on his coffee table, crossed at the ankles.

“True, but even Naruto has a limit,” he said, smirking. “I think the only reason Chouji stops eating sometimes is because he runs out of money.”

“Hmm, I think the only reason Naruto developed a limit is because his body isn’t used to a ready supply of food.” Sasuke said contemplatively while he maneuvered with ‘mad skillz’ as Naruto like to put it, around the red ghost.

He continued to play, sitting back whenever he died and watching Shikamaru play until it was his turn. When they got bored, they simply switched to a different game.

“Shikamaru, remember that deal we made earlier…” Sasuke said after he’d died. The game they were currently on, hours later, was toy pop. Damn tanks.

Shikamaru smirked, pausing the game and put the controller down before looking over at Sasuke. “Yeah, what about it?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.

“You’re not tired, are you?” Sasuke said, setting his controller down as well. He turned to look at him, smirking deviously.

Shikamaru chuckled, lifting his arms behind his head and resting it against them. “Mm, a little. But I suppose I can keep myself awake if I need to.”

“Oh, I think you need to.” Sasuke trailed his hands down, resting them on his thighs. He was already stirring just from the thought, excitement beginning to thrum in his veins as he gazed at Shikamaru, hands lightly massaging.

“Need to, huh? Well, if it’s absolutely necessary…” Shikamaru said, trailing off. He leaned forward and placed a closed-mouth kiss to Sasuke’s lips.

Sasuke kissed back, lifting one hand up and placing it behind Shikamaru’s skull, under his hair tie. He opened his mouth, licking across the Nara’s lower lip playfully.

Shikamaru parted his lips, sucking Sasuke’s tongue into his mouth. He shifted closer and placed his hands on the other’s sides before lightly moving them down to the hem of his shirt.

Eagerly ravishing the others mouth, Sasuke moved his other hand up to Shikamaru’s sides, running his fingers over the expanse of fabric and feeling the Nara through it. He shifted his legs, feeling the erection he now sported rub against his pants in an agonizing way.

Shikamaru inched up Sasuke’s shirt and traced his fingertips against his stomach teasingly before pulling away to lift up the shirt. After it was off, he tossed it so it was almost falling off the back of the couch. He moved to kiss him again, bringing his hands back up to trace over Sasuke’s stomach.

Sasuke smirked in-between kisses, letting go of Shikamaru as he pulled his shirt off. When the other leaned back in, he reached up with both hands, pulling his hair tie out gently—using both hands since it was done so tightly. He luxuriated in the feel of the Nara’s undone hair, running his hands through it appreciatively.

“Such soft hair.” He murmured after pulling back for air, bringing a soft lock to his lips.

Shikamaru flushed lightly, watching the Uchiha and stilling his hands. “You always seemed surprised it’s soft,” he observed. “Why?”

Sasuke smiled softly, leaning in and kissing him on the lips.

“It’s nothing bad, Shikamaru. I just don’t see you as trying to keep it pretty and soft. I just assume that you consider it troublesome.” He explained, running his hands through it again.

“I don’t really try,” Shikamaru said, smirking lightly. “Ino just buys my shampoo. Said it was horrible before,” he added before moving to kiss him again. He lowered his hands and started to unbutton the other’s pants.

He paused and pulled away again, murmuring, “Would you rather go to the bedroom, where there’s more room?”

Sasuke smirked at him, dropping his hands from the other’s hair. He leaned up, kissing him while he gently nudged at him to get up.

“Sure, more room the better, no?” Sasuke said with a slightly devious look.

Shikamaru leaned back before getting off the couch and standing up. “Mm, though I suppose cramped space could make things interesting,” he said, smirking again.

“Interesting, and maybe even kinky, but only as a once in a while thing I’m sure.” Sasuke said, standing himself. He reached forward, grabbing Shikamaru and pulling him to his bare chest, kissing him again. He couldn’t find the will to keep his hands, and lips, off of the boy.

Shikamaru chuckled softly into the kiss, wrapping his arms around Sasuke’s waist. He broke the kiss, leaning his forehead against the Uchiha’s. “This isn’t helping us move into the bedroom,” he said.

Sasuke tilted his head to lay yet another kiss onto Shikamaru’s lips, smiling back at the boy.

“No, but I’m liking it just the same. We don’t need to rush anything, do we?” He asked, chuckling lightly. He reached his hand down, running it along Shikamaru’s shirt before bringing it up, petting his smooth skin.

“No, just pointing it out,” Shikamaru said before leaning in for another kiss. He ran his hands up Sasuke’s back, lightly massaging his back.

Sasuke allowed a sound of pleasure, arching his back pleasantly from the touch. He moved his hands back down, tugging at Shikamaru’s shirt to be taken off as well.

Shikamaru smirked lightly, gently kneading the Uchiha’s muscles. He pulled away again at the tug, helping Sasuke take off his shirt and dropping it on the floor.

Sasuke leaned down, snaking his arms behind the Nara’s waist and pulling his hips forward, latching his mouth onto his collar and beginning his attack. The other would have a hickey by morning.

Shivering, Shikamaru wrapped his arms around Sasuke again. He tilted his head back a little and started to massage Sasuke’s back again, focusing on his lower back.

Sasuke made a low appreciative sound, feeling small tingles shoot down his legs from what Shikamaru was doing. He unconsciously pressed forward more with his hips, pushing his tented groin against the Nara.

Shikamaru groaned softly, pressing his covered half-formed erection back against the other. After a few seconds, he stilled his hands, just resting them flat on his back.

Sasuke switched to nibbling at the mark he’d left, missing the sensations Shikamaru’s hands had been giving him. He pulled back, smirking at the other as he slid his hands down the Nara’s arms, pulling them away from his body. He dropped one arm, leading with the other around the couch and towards the bedroom. He lifted the trapped hand up, laying a kiss along the knuckles as he looked back at Shikamaru.

Shikamaru flushed a little, smirking lightly as he let himself be led back into the bedroom. Once in the room, he closed the door behind him. He tugged at Sasuke’s arm and pulled him closer, kissing him on the lips.

Sasuke kissed back, running his hands lightly over Shikamaru’s now exposed skin before pulling back. He walked to the bed backwards, finishing what Shikamaru had started on the button and zipper of his pants. He pushed the material down, leaving only his borrowed boxers and the obvious bulge of want as his legs hit the bed and he allowed himself to sink back onto it.

“Well?” He spread his legs, smirking at Shikamaru devilishly. “Think you can handle it?”

Shikamaru’s smirk widened as he watched the Uchiha for a second before moving forward. He knelt down in front of him and tilted his head up to look at Sasuke. He reached out a hand, lightly dancing his fingers over the bulge, not yet sliding off the boxers.

“I think I can manage it.”

Sasuke restrained himself, only allowing a small shiver to go down his back as Shikamaru teased him through his boxers. He licked his lips, clenching the bed with both hands.

“Good, I’d hate to give lessons.” He said, almost snickering at the thought. He had been giving to the Nara a lot, hadn’t he?

Shikamaru let out a snort and hooked two fingers on each hand into his boxer’s waistband. He tugged them down a little before saying, “Lift your hips.”

Sasuke did so, more for feeling pleasure faster than being obedient. His hands gripped to the bed harder, biting on his lower lip as his throbbing erection was finally let out into the air fully.

Shikamaru slid them down and pulled both pants and boxers off, letting them fall to the floor. He ran his hands up Sasuke’s legs, resting them on his upper thighs and rubbing lazy circles on his hips with his thumbs. He smirked up at him again before lowering his head and giving a short, kittenish lick to the head.

Sasuke trembled, resisting the extreme urge to squirm under the light ministration. The Nara was playing with his body, or at least that’s what it felt like to him. The damn cock tease. He lifted his hips again, insistently.

Shikamaru lowered his head more, latching his lips around the head. He gave it a gentle suck, hollowing his cheeks out, before quickly dipping his tongue into the slit.

Sasuke bit his lip to keep the moan internal, though he was sure some kind of noise slipped out. It felt infinitely different to have the warm moist mouth, air slipping out his nose as he breathed, then the hot constriction of his lovers’ entrance. So much better since he hadn’t felt it in what felt like forever.

Shikamaru inhaled deeply through his nose before lowering his head again and swallowing more of the Uchiha’s erection. He concentrated more on keeping his jaw loose as he pressed his tongue against the length.

“Mmmm…” Sasuke couldn’t help it. It felt so good, like he was getting his first ever blow job. If he didn’t count the times Orochimaru had forced him, it would be, because the last time he’d been in this situation with the Nara they’d been interrupted. His hips moved on their own accord, jerking up just a bit.

Shikamaru gagged slightly, but was able to calm his throat muscles down with a few more deep breaths. He closed his eyes and continued to lower his head until he felt like he couldn’t swallow more. He wrapped one of his hands around the base of Sasuke’s cock before slowly starting to bob his head.

Sasuke could feel his release coiling in his gut, quickly coming up on him as Shikamaru began to move. His fists clenched harder, wanting to grab at the Nara and shove him down, his muscles aching from restraining himself. He found himself making even more little noises as he came closer, small pleasured inhales and whimpers.

“Shikamaru… close… cum…” He panted, arching his back off the bed as the swirling exploded behind his closed eyes.

Shikamaru choked a little, not completely expecting and ready, instinctively swallowing as much as he could. He pulled back, leaning back so he was sitting on his own legs, wiping at the little bit of cum at the corner of his mouth.

“God you look sexy like that.” Sasuke said, smirking despite the truth in the statement. The Nara looked so damn good with just a little bit of white at his lips. Sasuke had gotten over drenching his partners in the stuff while in the loving care of Orochimaru.

He sat up despite wobbly, lax muscles. Reaching down, he hunched over and pulled on Shikamaru’s hair gently, just enough to tell him which direction to go before kissing him.

Shikamaru flushed and leaned forward, returning the kiss. He closed his eyes again and rested his hands on Sasuke’s knees.

“Shikamaru… Do you…” Sasuke pulled back, flushing slightly. He glanced down at his limp member, knowing that it wouldn’t be springing up anytime soon. He hadn’t had sufficient rest in-between all their sessions. “I’m not hard anymore, so if you wanted… to go further…”

Shikamaru blinked, studying the Uchiha’s face. “Are you sure you’re comfortable with that?” he asked, raising an eyebrow slightly.

Sasuke shook his head, flushing darker. He didn’t like being so embarrassed, and was tempted to just say ‘no’ to get past this subject faster. But it wouldn’t be all that fair to Shikamaru.

“Not in the least sure, but… It’s not that fair for me to always be on top, even if you’re okay with it.” He tried explaining, but it came out sounding not quite right and yet perfectly summed up the situation. He sighed. “We can just try it, this once, and we’ll see how well it works out?” He ended lamely.

“It wouldn’t be fair if you don’t like it, either,” Shikamaru pointed out. “But if you want to try, I won’t say no.” He smirked a little and leaned up, placing a kiss on his cheek.

“Mmm, but never trying is unfair. I’d like to know that the reason we spend thirty minutes getting me hard again is because I don’t like being on bottom, not because I’m too stubborn to even try.” He said, flushing even more.

Shikamaru chuckled softly and nodded, scooting back and standing up. “Is there a way you’d prefer to do this?” he asked as he unbuttoned his pants and started sliding them off.

Sasuke’s eyes followed the Nara’s hands hungrily, his stomach flipping. He could feel his dick trying to stand for the occasion already, to no avail. He smirked wickedly at the other when he was able to tear his eyes back up to his face.

“What do you like the best? You’re the one with experience.”

Shikamaru flushed and kicked his pants and boxers off completely. After a moment of hesitation he said, “Scoot up further and turn onto your stomach.”

Sasuke raised an eyebrow at the Nara, even as he moved back. He hesitated in moving onto his stomach, feeling like that would leave him so… exposed.

“Your favourite position is doggy style?” He said, smirking slyly to cover up his insecurities. He wouldn’t look shy damnit.

“No,” Shikamaru said as he moved over to the bed and climbed on it. “But it’s my second favourite. The first takes too much energy,” he explained before Sasuke could ask. He smirked faintly before planting a few light kisses across his shoulders.

Sasuke shivered lightly, situating himself on his stomach. His hands clenched lightly, his back tensing up just from the position. He felt utterly vulnerable, like he was at the mercy of the Nara boy.

“That’s nice to know. I’ll have to remember that the next time we do this.” He said, turning his head and smirking at Shikamaru. It alleviated some of his insecurities to be able to see his partner.

“I’m sure you will,” Shikamaru said chuckling lightly. He reached over to the bedside table and grabbed a bottle of lotion. It would have to do since he didn’t want to search for the lube in the bathroom.

“Are you sure you’re okay with this?” he asked again, giving him another easy chance out.

“If I back down now I’ll be… upset with myself.” Sasuke said in a show of painfully truthful words for him. He didn’t like being truthful, he preferred to stay silent and glare. But he felt that, and knew that, honesty was what built a good relationship, despite how much it made him grit his teeth.

Shikamaru nodded and sat back a little, opening the lotion bottle and gathering some onto his fingers. He set the bottle down on the far side of the bed and leaned forward again. He kissed Sasuke’s shoulder, trailing kisses up to his neck as he lowered his hand. Gently pressing against the other’s entrance, he circled it, massaging lightly, before easing a finger in.

Sasuke’s entire body went rigid from the contact, his lungs inhaling sharply as his muscles clamped down. His hands were white knuckled on the covers, his eyes tightly shut. He’d never willingly bottomed before, only ever rape. But he would at least try it for Shikamaru.

Shikamaru sighed softly and stilled his finger, not yet pushing it in passed the first knuckle. He moved to lick and kiss over Sasuke’s curse mark, hoping it would relax him.

Sasuke felt the touch, a wash of comfort nudging at his body. He gladly took it, letting it lull his senses as much as it could, his muscles unclenching bit by bit. He lowered his face into the bed, ashamed for how he’d acted at just one finger being pushed in, not even fully!

Shikamaru gently sucked at the mark, not letting his teeth graze against it, and slipped his finger in further. He moved the finger around, massaging the muscles inside to relax him further. After a while, he eased another finger in and added more pressure on the curse mark, trying to counteract any discomfort.

“Mmmmm...” He mumbled, actually forgetting about the pain as his mind focused on the sweet sensations rolling out from the curse mark. It was easy to lose himself in the feeling of what Shikamaru was doing, relaxing his body and making what the other boy was doing actually feel good.

Shikamaru moved his fingers, scissoring them and stretching Sasuke further. It wasn’t long before he added the third finger, wiggling them around gently. He ran his tongue around the edge of the seal, nipping softly right outside it.

Sasuke groaned softly, wiggling his hips slightly as pleasure rang sharply from the spot at his neck through the rest of his body. He was actually half hard by now, thanks to the curse mark and its hypersensitive skin. He found himself pushing against the fingers, the sensations feeling nothing like the first finger had.

Shikamaru twisted his fingers and pressed them further in, massaging against his inner walls again. He placed another kiss on the center of the curse mark before pulling away. He reached for the lotion again, squirting some out and spreading on his own erection, shuddering at the contact.

He moved back towards Sasuke, hovering over him. He pressed his hips against the other boy, erection resting against his entrance but not pushing. “Ready?” he whispered.

Sasuke tensed a little, biting his lip. He knew he should relax, but it took him a few deep breaths to actually gain enough control to do it. He nodded.

“Yes.”

Shikamaru bit his lip as he started pushing, easing himself in. He leaned forward, running kisses and nips up Sasuke back. He paused half-way in, needing to calm himself from the constricting heat, and rested his forehead against Sasuke’s shoulder.

“God…” he muttered hoarsely.

Sasuke winced, the Nara’s cock stretching him more than the fingers had prepared him for, although it wasn’t as bad as he remembered it being. He glanced over his shoulder, seeing Shikamaru’s pleasured face, feeling that there was still more of him to go. He smirked, raising his hips a bit, impaling himself an inch despite the sharp uncomfortable pain.

“Feels good, doesn’t it?” He panted, a mix of pain and pleasure causing the reaction.

Shikamaru just let out a small groan, lifting his head and pressing his mouth against the back of Sasuke’s neck. He trailed kisses across it until he got to the curse mark, laving it with attention again as he pushed in further. He paused again when he was fully in, pelvis pressed fully against the other’s ass.

Sasuke shuddered under the touch, his legs quivering as he wriggled slightly. It didn’t feel entirely good, but it was anything from feeling bad. The attention to his curse mark was what tipped the scale to pleasure, making him move against the Nara, making small noises in his throat for him to move.

Shikamaru hesitated for a second before pulling back and pushing back in slowly. He licked at the curse mark, panting softly against it as his thrusts sped up.

Sasuke groaned, Shikamaru’s blunt head getting closer and closer to hitting something he knew from being on top would drive him wild. He moved his own hips back, angling it so that the Nara got closer, moaning deeply as he shivered, and clutching the bed tightly.

Shikamaru caught on and shifted his angle a little as he thrust in again. He moved one hand, snaking it under the Uchiha and running his fingers down his stomach until he reached the other’s erection. He lightly palmed it before wrapping his hand around it, slowly pumping.

Sasuke shifted again, torn between concentrating on pushing back so Shikamaru hit his prostate or focusing on moving with the hand on his cock. His hips moved to each rhythm as best he could, his breath hitching in his throat. This felt damn good, once the ball got rolling. He might have to persuade Shikamaru to be energetic more often.

Shikamaru shifted his head, resting his forehead against Sasuke’s shoulder as his hand’s movements sped up only seconds before his hips did. He knew he wouldn’t last much longer, pleasure quickly building higher in his abdomen.

Sasuke was surprised at how fast his peak was approaching, now that the sting of penetration had washed away and all he could feel was a small white wash of pleasure every time Shikamaru hit his prostate, promising a hard orgasm with each blinding spike of pleasure.

“Shika… maru… gunna…” He panted, voice low and hoarse as his spine suddenly arched downward, the knot in his stomach tightening and spilling out.

Two more thrusts and Shikamaru stiffened as he came deep in Sasuke with a grunt. He shuddered slightly, the convulsing heat milking him completely. He rested for a second before carefully pulling out and rolling to the side.

Sasuke shivered down his spine, the feeling of hot liquid spurting into his body almost foreign. He only barely remembered the sensation. He relaxed, rolling to face the other, feeling the sticky wet cum start to dribble out.

“Shikamaru, we need a towel.” He said, trying to remember if he’d been getting towels for the other whenever he was on top. He certainly wouldn’t be forgetting now.

Shikamaru let out a sigh and nodded, pushing himself up and swung his legs over the side of the bed. He stood up and walked out to the bathroom, cleaning himself off first before grabbing a fresh towel for Sasuke.

“Do you want to clean yourself or should I?” he asked as he walked back in.

Sasuke nodded in thanks, shrugging a shoulder.

“I don’t really care.” He said, turning over onto his back. He winced slightly, not really feeling that much pain but feeling that he wouldn’t be completely fine in the morning. Not having done it in a while must really make a difference, despite how gentle Shikamaru had been.

Shikamaru sat down on the bed and turned to look at Sasuke, smirking a little. “Well, if you want me to, you’ll have to stop moving and coating yourself more,” he said, half-teasing. “We have to take off the top blanket, too.”

Sasuke blushed, turning his face from Shikamaru as he held still, his legs spread and bent at the knees. He could feel some of the substance just barely sparkling on his inner thigh, the thicker stuff still slipping out. He winced in slight disgust.

“I’d forgotten what this feels like…” He said, shifting his jaw to the side in his conscious pout.

Shikamaru looked back up at him, having been concentrating on cleaning the Uchiha. He studied his face as he paused, folding over the towel so a clean part could be used again.

“Did you not like it, then?” he asked, half wondering just for the answer itself and half wondering if he had pleasured the other well enough.

Sasuke looked back at him, smirking.

“I meant this,” He waved his hand towards the Nara’s hands, indicating the leaking cum. “I forgot what that feels like. But yeah, I did forget how the rest of it felt as well.” He finished. He leaned his head back, trying to think how best to articulate how it had felt.

“At first I didn’t. It was an undignified position and it… hurt.” He cringed to say the word, feeling like he was spilling some big secret, like a girl confessing her feelings or something. “But later it was good. Especially when you touched the curse mark.” He lifted his hand up, tracing the mark lightly.

Shikamaru nodded, turning his attention back to cleaning so they could fully rest and talk. He bunched up the one side of the blanket, scooting back. “Move on this side,” he said, refolding the towel again, “and I’ll wipe off your back.”

Sasuke did as told, moving to where Shikamaru had indicated.

“But, I wouldn’t mind doing that again… as long as I got to see you.” Sasuke said, closing his eyes as he blushed. It sounded pretty lame when he said it out loud.

Shikamaru smiled as he finished cleaning Sasuke. He dropped the towel on top of the blanket, tossing the clean end of the blanket over it and then just dumping it off of the bed for now. He laid down where Sasuke had been previously, turning onto his side to look at him.

“Alright,” he said, shrugging one shoulder. “If we do that again, you can be on your back.”

Sasuke opened his eyes, studying Shikamaru silently. It was strange, how he could say things and the Nara just… accepted them. Others would have some form of opinion, or questions they’d be asking, but all the Nara said was ‘if we do it again you can be on your back’…

“Thank you, Shikamaru.” He said, on a whim. The Nara deserved it, having to put up with the last Uchiha and all the problems that came with him and what was left of his ‘family’.

Shikamaru shifted a little, picking up the second blanket and settling under it. He blinked, quirking an eyebrow. “What for?” he asked, not feeling like he’d done anything special.

Sasuke snorted, moving forward so that he was close to the Nara. His arms were in front of him, creating a kind of barrier between them. He wasn’t exactly sure how you slept when facing someone. He was used to having Shikamaru’s back to his front…

“Because you... put up with me.” Sasuke said, closing his eyes. “Not just Itachi, since you refuse to acknowledge that as my fault. But, dealing with Tsunade to get me back into the village, dealing with people who are fascinated by me being ‘the last Uchiha’… Me.”

Shikamaru smirked lightly, reaching out and putting a hand on top of Sasuke’s, threading their fingers together. “It’s not as troublesome as you might think,” he said, smirk widening in amusement.

Sasuke opened his eyes, trying to read Shikamaru to see if he was being truthful. It seemed genuine… He smiled softly himself, squeezing back.

“Sure Shikamaru. Sure.” He said teasingly, closing his eyes again.

Shikamaru let out a snort and just closed his eyes too, letting himself relax. He yawned and pressed further into the pillows, snuggling.

Sasuke sighed, allowing himself to drift off like Shikamaru, quickly becoming entrenched in dreams, though thankfully none were nightmares this night.

--

Naruto crept into the house as silently as he could. He slipped through the shadows, discarding his clothing carefully. Sniffing and listening, he could tell that both males were home and in the same bed. Thinking rapidly, only half lucid, he came to the conclusion of joining them. He’d simply stay on Shikamaru’s side and it would be all good.

“Shit!” He cursed as he tripped, finding the room extremely dark due to lack of moonlight. He sighed, reaching the bed. He was down to just boxers now, and it was cold where he stood. He sniffed, sifting with the best of his abilities for Shikamaru’s shampoo.

He smelled it, moving towards it. Just to be sure he reached down, feeling along the pillow until he felt soft strands of hair, long strands at that. He smiled, crawling under the covers and moving up to the Nara’s back. He nuzzled into the back of the other’s neck, sliding an arm over his waist and relaxing, letting sleep take him.