The Choices Between Friends
Vanilla Morning
A/N: As always, I can't thank FairyNiamh enough for the beta, advice, and friendship. This one is more of a transition chapter, so I hope you aren't disappointed with it. RL is hectic and I have another muse I am trying to evict from my head. Since he's competing with this and the story will be shorter I've been letting him have his way. Hopefully that will be done soon. I'm actually a few chapters ahead of you, so you shouldn't notice much of a slowdown in posting until maybe the end... Anyway, hope you enjoy!
Chapter 22 Vanilla Morning
Waking up with a leg draped across his abdomen, his head on a firm chest, and another head upon his own was an experience that Neji was still unfamiliar with. Nar was snuggled against his side. The blond head was the one resting so sweetly upon his chest. Nara's long leg was sprawled across first Kiba's and then Neji's legs. It was Kiba's heartbeat he heard in his ear.
"Morning." The rough man whispered. The sound rumbled pleasantly against Neji's head. A calloused hand stroked Neji's tangled hair. Neji turned his head slightly to get a better look at Kiba's smiling face. "How do ya' feel?" Kiba inquired softly.
Neji took a moment to assess the damage. He didn't feel bad, he decided. He was sore, but it was tolerable. He was about to answer when Nar moved against him. Neji in turn moved to give the blond more room. That, he decided was a mistake. Pain bloomed in his posterior and raced up his back. The already sore muscles of his back clenched and he gasped loudly. Kiba's arms wrapped around him, holding him still. Nar's big blue eyes looked up at Neji in concern.
"Hot bath." Nara said as he untangled his legs and rolled to his feet. His lithe tattooed body swayed a little as he strolled out of view. Neji heard water running and presumed that Nara had started a bath for himself.
"After the bath, maybe Kiba can give you one of his famous massages." Nar said as he kissed his way down Neji's abdomen. Neji had woken up half hard. Nar's lips on his skin brought him from half-mast to full attention long before they reached their destination.
"Relax Neji." Nar whispered, his warm breath caressed Neji as the blond lowered Neji's boxers, reveling his pink tipped erection. "This will help." A gifted tongue wet Nar's plump lips before they engulfed Neji's rigid flesh. Neji gasped a second time. Kiba was nuzzling Neji's hair and looking anywhere but Nar.
Nar's head bobbed hungrily in Neji's lap. The blond was determined to bring Neji off quickly. They'd taxed his gorgeous body pretty heavily the night before and Naruto was determined to help relax Neji as much as possible.
Nara stepped out of the bathroom. Neji vaguely registered that the extra sway in his walk was actually a limp. He felt guilty for that. Kiba noticed too and slid out from under Neji. He went to his friend and wrapped his strong arms around the trim waist. "Think you should join Neji in that bath. I'll get breakfast."
"Not your turn." Nara observed as he let Kiba guide him back to the bathroom.
Kiba chuckled. "That's okay. I enjoyed both my 'turns' last night, so it balances out. 'Sides, I'm not cooking. I'll call the diner and pick it up. Take your time, K?" Kiba pushed Nara into the little room gently. He was afraid that if he followed his sexy friend, he might mimic Nar and start trying to relax Nara in his own way. Then the food would be even later.
His will power held, barely. As Kiba turned to make his way to the phone, when he heard Neji's gasp and moan. Out of the corner of one eye, he saw that the pale back was arched. One arm was braced underneath him and one hand firmly gripped golden locks as he came into Nar's oh so willing mouth.
Kiba grinned and shook his head. "Now get him in the tub air head, before you decide to mount him." Kiba ordered gruffly as he dialed the phone chuckling.
Kiba'd been joking, but Naruto really was considering just that at that moment. Creepy bastard, get outta my head! He thought to himself as he lifted his head from Neji's lap. Neji pulled him up to kiss him and Nar barely got his head turned before their lips met. "Eeep!" He squeaked. "Morning breath!" The blond covered his mouth in embarrassment.
Neji shook his head at him and chuckled. "If I minded, Tesoro, I wouldn't have tried to kiss you."
Blue eyes opened wide. "Mope." Nar said in a muffled voice as he shook his blond head emphatically, hand still over his mouth. "Not gonna happen." He shot up and began shooing Neji towards the bathroom.
Nara looked up as the two stepped through the door. Nar was pushing Neji forward with his hands on the slender pale hips. "He's all yours. Take care of him and I'll get the living room picked up." Shikamaru wasn't going to argue. He spread his legs to allow Neji more room to sid down between his bent knees. Neji blushed just a little. He'd never taken a bath with another person before.
"Come on Neji. The water is just the right temperature." Nara said encouragingly.
The pale man stepped into the tub. He sat hunched forward as if he was afraid to touch Shikamaru. Nara chuckled. He reached forward and pulled Neji's back flush with his chest and wrapped his arms around him. Neji was pleasantly surprised and settled against him with a small sigh. The water did feel good. Long legs wrapped around Neji's waist as Nara got more comfortable too.
Neji's hands came to rest on top of those sexy legs and he caressed them idly. Shikamaru's hands wandered across Neji's torso. "When do you have to leave?"
Neji smiled at the hint of wistful sadness in Nara's voice. He felt like he'd just crossed an important hurdle. Nara was the hold out, the one trying to protect the other two by holding back and he'd just given up some ground. "I don't have any classes that I have to attend today, but I do have to teach tonight. You?"
He felt Nara shrug. "Meh, nothing I can't afford to miss. Just what do you teach, Neji?"
"I'm a student instructor at a dojo on campus. I usually teach three nights a week." Neji's breath hitched as Nara's long fingers trailed along the scar across Neji's stomach. Shikamaru noticed, but continued to caress the damaged flesh as if he were oblivious to Neji's reaction.
Neji turned his head into Nara's shoulder, involuntarily seeking comfort. Shikamaru didn't relent. He held Neji tight against him even as he continued to graze his finger tips across the source of the man's discomfort.
"You are so gorgeous Neji." Nara whispered. His voice was thick with emotion.
Neji felt so small in the other man's arms. The pale man whimpered, the side of his face pressed firmly against Shikamaru's chest and shoulder.
"It was the day my father died." Neji said brokenly. "That's the last time anyone held me." Neji turned more, burying his face in Nara's chest like a child. "Mother... she... couldn't. I was in the hospital. There were too many tubes and wires, and the casts...." Another soft sob.
Shikamaru's tongue felt thick and awkward as he asked. "And after? After you got out of the hospital?" He didn't even know what had put Neji there. A car accident maybe... maybe his father was killed and he was hurt? Nara didn't ask. Neji just shook his head and didn't answer. It was obvious he didn't want to talk about it anymore, hadn't wanted to talk about it at all. Tears ran down Shikamaru's face as he held Neji as close as he could.
"I'm sorry. I shouldn't be doing this." Neji sighed and tried to pull away. Nara didn't let him.
"Neji, here's the deal." He let his voice be stern and forceful. "We are there for each other, completely. Those are the rules we've all lived by and it goes both ways. You don't get to be there for use and then pull away when you need someone." Shikamaru reached between them and forced Neji's head up with two fingers under the man's chin. "If you can't do this, accept this; then you'd better tell me, us now." Pale violet eyes glistened with unshed tears.
"It's just so much. So much more than I expected. I'm not used to it. Please Nara, let me get used to it." Neji's slightly trembling lips were just begging to be kissed. Shikamaru didn't hesitate. He pressed his own against them in a sweet simple kiss.
"Okay Neji, but you should know a few things about us."
Neji stopped him with another kiss. "There are things you should know too. Please let me tell you. Ask me. Please don't look me up on the internet." Neji's eyes dropped. "I want you to learn it, anything, everything from me. All of you." With each word Neji's voice was getting colder, more emotionless.
He was pulling away from Nara without even moving. Nara scowled. "Okay Neji, but stop that."
Neji looked confused. "What?"
"Putting your barriers back up." Nara said peevishly. "I'm letting mine down and I'll be damned if I'm the only one in this tub doing it."
Neji laughed. "Well, all right then."
"Was it painful?" Nara asked softly as his fingertips brushed Neji's cheek. Neji just nodded as he let himself drown in dark brown eyes.
Kiba walked in on them a few minutes later. "Okay hotties!" He called loudly, purposely breaking up the intense feeling hanging in the air. He was beginning to think that those two were just to broody to be left alone for long. "Outta the tub, before you turn into pruny old men!" He held two large towels out for them. Each man stood and took on in his turn. Kiba winked at them both and left them to dry in piece.
"We'll take real showers later." Nara said as he wrapped his arms around Neji's waist and kissed his shoulder. "Come on, let’s go eat." Neji nodded and let himself be directed out of the room with a towel wrapped around his waist.
They turned toward the kitchen only to be shooed toward the bedroom. Nar huffed at them when they hesitated. "Go!" The blond ordered with his hands on his hips.
The confused brunettes did as ordered and found that the bed had been set to rights, there were even clean sheets on it and the covers were turned down. Nara shrugged at Neji as he slipped off his towel and slid into bed. Neji followed him. Nar came in with plates in hand and grinned at his obedient lovers.
Kiba followed him with two makeshift trays. He'd pulled the wooden slats out of the DVD shelf. He set those down across both men's laps and disappeared out of the door. Nar set their plates and utensils down and smiled happily. It wasn't often he got to take care of anyone else and he was enjoying the opportunity to coddle his lovers.
Neji smiled back at the happy blond. "May I have my kiss now Tesoro?" He asked teasingly. Nar blushed but leaned down to kiss Neji's forehead tenderly.
Neji growled. "Not what I had in mind." He surveyed the mischievous blond appraisingly. "How are you?" Nar had been penetrated as many times as Neji and he was afraid that his blond lover was hiding his discomfort.
Nar laughed and Nara snorted. "He rebounds quick, too quick!"
Nar stuck his pert little tongue out at his friend. "You're just jealous 'cause I'm a fast healer."
Nara grunted something that sounded like "insatiable" and began to eat his breakfast. Nar grinned in victory, turned too quick and almost bowled Kiba over.
Kiba was grateful that the diner had put lids on the cups of hot liquid. "Easy Blondie!" He teased. Nar went blood red and practically ran for the shower. He was always so damn clumsy. He berated himself. It had never really bothered him before, but he didn't want to look like a buffoon to Neji. No, not to Neji.
"Hey save me some hot water asshole!" Kiba barked as the door slammed shut. He gave the tea to Nara and the coffee to Neji. Shikamaru had told them that Neji was a definite coffee drinker.
Nar heard Kiba's yell just as the door shut. He mentally stuck his tongue out at his growling friend as he stripped and jumped under the water. Truth be told, Naruto was a little sore, but it was a good kind of sore as he saw it.
He always had liked that stretched twingey feeling. To be totally honest, those feelings alone were enough to turn him on again and leave him with a needy empty feeling. Work was going to be very tedious today.
He showered quickly so he could leave some hot water for Kiba. He really didn't want to listen to the man's howling and grumbling. Nar toweled off with a resigned sigh. He really wished he didn't have to work today.
Kiba was waiting outside the door when Nar opened it. The blond dressed in the living room and couldn't resist a peek at the two lovely brunettes. The blond head peered cautiously around the doorframe, not wanting to wake the men if they were dozing.
" 'Bout damn time!" Nara exclaimed as he held up his side of the blanket. "Get over here!" He laughed at Naruto's sheepish expression as the blond slunk towards them.
Nara grabbed him as soon as he was in reach and tossed Nar in between himself and Neji. Both men kissed the sweet golden face and wrapped their bodies around him. Naruto smiled with happy tears in his eyes. This was how it should be. He hoped it would always be like this.
Kiba strutted in bare-chested with his ratty work jeans hanging off his hips. He grinned at the trio snuggled up in the bed. "I’m outta here. It's like seven o'clock. Don't let Blondie be late for work school boys." He winked at them and left the room. They called their goodbyes from where they lay before they heard the door open and close.
TBC of course ('cause I'm a long winded b^tch!) Love Ya!