Undercurrents

Shikamaru grasped Neji’s hand tightly as Neji led them through the dancing and drinking patrons of Bliss. Gaara stood illuminated by the blue lights surrounding the DJ booth, and his fingers deftly flew over the turntables. Dancers in outrageous costumes composed more of glitter than fabric danced and gyrated on the stages in the front of the club, and already the sunken dance floor was full of writhing bodies.

Neji headed for the pit, craving the press of the crowd. Few places beat concerts and nightclubs for sheer sensation, but Neji paused to look back at Shika. He was a little overwhelmed, maybe, but he watched one man wrap himself around a pole with keen interest. Neji smiled and tugged sharply on Shika’s hand.

The music picked up tempo as Neji led Shika down the shallow steps into the pit. He staked out a small area for them near the stairs, just in case they needed to leave. The walls around the sunken floor were shoulder-height and lit with pin lights that changed color and pulsed to the music. The stages ended about a foot away from the rails around the top of the pit, and dancers would often lean out on ropes or swings to tease the guests into a frenzy.

Neji felt light pressure as people danced around him; LED lights flashed from around necks and in hands, mouths. He smelled twenty colognes and perfumes, heard raucous laughter over the pulse of the music, and felt Shika’s hand squeeze his own. For a moment Neji just slowly moved, enjoying. Then he started to dance.

Neji never bothered dancing in front of a mirror to make sure he didn’t look like a lunatic. He didn’t practice dancing, and he’d certainly never trained in it other than the brief stint with ballroom. He often danced with his eyes closed and hoped that other dancers would just make room for him. They often did – a circle opening around him to give him space. Neji didn’t care why they did that or what he looked like: he just loved to move like this.

After a few minutes of feeling nothing but bodies around him and music in his ears, Neji opened his eyes to find Shika. The Nara stood a little apart from Neji, moving to the music. Shikamaru watched Neji through a veil of thick lashes.

The song began to change to something darker but no less frenetic, the transition liquid-smooth. Neji grabbed Shika and pulled him close.

“You okay?” Neji half-yelled into Shika’s ear.

Shika pulled back a little, wrapped his arms around Neji’s neck, and kissed him. Shika’s tongue was warm and slick against Neji’s own, and he went from half-hard to fully erect in the few breathless seconds Shika’s mouth covered his. Neji slid his hands down to tuck into Shika’s back pockets. He moved one leg between Shikamaru’s, and when he started to move, he pulled and shifted Shika with him. It was so good – Shika in his arms, hot and hard against his leg. Neji shivered.

“Want you,” Neji said near Shika’s ear. Shika ground himself against Neji’s leg in response, and Neji squeezed Shika’s ass. More people climbed down into the pit and pressed everyone into a tighter hold for a moment. Neji wrapped his arms around Shika as bodies pushed against him on all sides. Shika’s head fell forward onto Neji’s shoulder, and he slid his hands around Neji’s waist. Neji’s cock pulsed as he felt Shika’s fingers drag across the exposed skin and tug at the shirt. People moved and adjusted to accommodate the newcomers, and Neji relaxed his grip.

Then Neji saw Kiba.

Face splitting into a wide grin, Kiba kept dancing for a moment before slowly moving toward Neji and Shikamaru. He wore a thin, white shirt that gleamed under the lights, so it was easy to follow him. Kiba danced with force; almost tribal. A couple of girls pressed into him, and he pressed right back, leaning down to say something that made one girl jerk away in shock. Kiba threw his head back and laughed.

Neji wasn’t sure what to do with this new development. The music was changing again, the beat slower, more sensuous. A moan reverberated throughout the entire club and was quickly echoed by the crowd. Kiba rolled his hips and danced in a slow circle. When he faced Neji again, he gestured from himself to the pair of them, obviously asking if he could come closer.

Slipping one hand from Shika’s ass, Neji beckoned to Kiba. But as the man moved, Neji pulled Shika’s head away from his shoulder and kissed him. He felt rather than heard Shika moan against his lips and into his mouth, but Neji’s eyes stayed on Kiba while he dominated the kiss and openly groped Shika’s body.

Mine, he said without words. This one is mine – touch without permission and die.

Kiba threw his hands up in innocence and then undulated his body.

No harm done, boss – just want to dance.

That over with, Neji pulled away from Shika’s mouth somewhat reluctantly. Then he quickly turned Shika around so he could see Kiba. For an instant the Nara tensed, but then relaxed back into Neji.

Gesturing again for Kiba to come closer, Neji loosened his hold on Shika so that the three of them could dance. Neji lost track of time, his eyes opening occasionally to watch Kiba twist and move, the face paint he liked to wear on his cheeks when clubbing glistening black in the dim light. Neji watched Shika pick up the rhythm and move like he’d been dancing in clubs all his life. The music grew gradually slower and Neji heard a cry from someone behind him having a great deal of fun.

In the next second Neji had an armful of Shika and Kiba. He heard Shika’s teeth clack as his chin hit Neji’s shoulder, hands scrabbling for purchase. Neji managed to catch himself, letting the other two men use him as a brace while Neji leaned hard on the man behind him. People poured into the pit, and Neji saw security come over to remove some people from the other side to make room. It was easy to get overheated in the pit, and at least one body was ragdoll limp in the security guard’s arms.

“Shit!” Kiba yelled and he pulled his hands up behind his head. He winked at Neji – didn’t mean to touch your property, swear!

Neji rolled his eyes and shook his head, then he tugged at Shika’s chin and looked into the Nara’s eyes with some concern. Shika just laughed and wiped hair out of his eyes. The three were still pressed snugly together, and now the way to the stairs was blocked. Shika seemed to be okay, though, and glancing once more at Kiba’s mischievous expression, Neji gave in to fate. This could be fun, after all. It certainly wouldn’t be the first time Neji and Kiba had someone between them.

“Want to dance with both?” Neji said into Shika’s ear.

Shikamaru shrugged, but a smile played at the corners of his mouth.

Neji reached out and grabbed Kiba’s arm. They exchanged a look, and Kiba grinned. Neji’s hands slid down to Shika’s thighs, and he maneuvered Shikamaru back over one of his legs. Kiba’s hands moved to rest lightly on Shika’s waist. Neji nodded when Kiba’s eyes met his, a question there. At this point, there really was no point in asking permission to touch; it was unavoidable. The crowd pressed in, and when they moved, the three men moved, too. It was impossible to stand still or actually dance; the best Neji could do was grind and shift against Shika and Kiba.

The music stuttered, a siren-like noise wailed for a few intense seconds, and then a heavy house beat blasted into Neji’s eardrums. The crowd roared, the lights danced, and the performers on the stages next to the pit started to move in choreographed chaos.

Kiba picked up the pace immediately, and Neji felt him shift and move Shika’s body to match the rhythm. Neji squeezed Shika’s legs and gently pulled him forward, feeling the hardness trapped behind the soft fabric. He smiled and leaned down to nibble the top of Shika’s ear before pulling back to tease a breath over Shikamaru’s mouth. Kiba watched and then leaned in to say something to Shika. Neji saw his boyfriend’s eyes widen.

That can’t be good, Neji thought.

Smiling like the cat that got the cream, Kiba reached down to cover Neji’s hands on Shika’s hips with his own, and his grip was anything but gentle. Neji’s eyes flared in shock for a split second before he scowled. He knew exactly what was coming next; Kiba liked this trick and variations of it.

Kiba knew Neji entirely too well, and the delight in that knowledge was written all over Kiba’s face.

Kiba looked at Neji as he spoke to Shikamaru again, and then he pulled on Neji’s hands. The three pressed closer together, the crowd pressed harder into all three of them, and Kiba switched his grip from Neji’s hands to his wrists. Neji resisted, and Kiba clamped down with a vice-like force. Shika’s mouth moved in an unheard gasp, Kiba still speaking into his ear. The look on Shika’s face was a perfect blend of cunning, lust, and surprise.

Shika barely had enough room to move, and Neji closed his eyes as he felt Shika’s hand move down his chest and to his belt. Kiba leaned in to give more instruction, and this time Neji heard him say, “He’ll let you.”

Neji opened his eyes to glare at the grinning Kiba as he felt Shika’s hands work the belt. Shika didn’t take it off – just loosened it a couple of spaces. Kiba squeezed Neji’s wrists as if to make a sadistic point, and then Shika’s hand slipped down the front of Neji’s pants.

“Likes it when…” Neji heard Kiba saying something to Shika again and realized the oversexed shit was telling Shikamaru what Neji liked. Damn him to hell. Kiba loved to fuck with Neji’s pride, and Neji fought back an uncouth snarl.

Neji felt Shika’s fingers grasp at the soft and damp hair over his cock and gently pull. Lips pressed together in a thin line, Neji gave one last look at Kiba: I’ll have your head for this.

Kiba flashed canines at Neji: you’ll have to catch me first.

Neji closed his eyes and leaned forward until he felt Shika’s hot breath on the side of his face. Kiba shifted them again so that his hands closed around Neji’s arms, which provided a modicum of privacy for Shika’s actions. Neji knew he could toss Kiba off of him, but it would mean fighting the crowd, too.

Not to mention it’d mean Shika would stop. And as those slender fingers pulled at the hair again before moving to loosely wrap around Neji’s swollen cock, he found he really didn’t want that.

Neji dropped his head further and Shikamaru’s breath panted into his ear.

“Touch,” Shika said. “Your weakness.”

Neji didn’t know if that gem came from Kiba or if Shikamaru just worked that out for himself from Neji’s boneless and unresisting form, but it was accurate. Touch meant to please always felt good; but Neji kept himself on a firm leash as to how much touching he allowed. Especially when playing or from people he wasn’t dating. Hell, even then.

But for years now Neji had known the exception to the no touching rule was Shikamaru. And should Shika ever want to actually touch him – in any way, shape, or form – the days of keeping himself in denial – and therefore, control – would be over.

“Been a while for you, too,” Shika said. “Hasn’t it?”

Neji wanted to nod or answer; wanted to explain himself. He’d loved Shika forever now, it seemed, and only rarely allowed himself actual release when he visited Break. But the feel of Shika’s hand on him was entirely too distracting, and now Kiba was rubbing up and down his arms, which only added to the sensory overload.

“Didn’t know for sure until now,” Shika said.

Neji turned his head so that Shika would hear him. “Just you,” he said.

Shikamaru nodded. “Good.”

Kiba’s nails dragged down Neji’s bare arms, Shika tightened his grip and smoothed his palm over the head of Neji’s cock, and a stranger pressed into Neji’s back, forcing him closer to all of those sensations. Neji cried out, and Shika shuddered.

They moved with the crowd like that for a while; Kiba’s fingers almost soothing while Shika’s hand made Neji’s stomach clench and teeth grind.

With Shika still working him, Neji felt Kiba release his arms and circle the both of them until he stood behind Neji. Sighing and forcing himself to regain some control, Neji stood upright, though he brought one hand up to nestle in Shika’s hair.

The music lulled to a softer beat, a vocal track beginning to come through the mix. For the moment, it was easier to hear, and Neji heard conversations all around him for the first time.

“You should really let yourself go more often, sir,” Kiba said in Neji’s ear with some amount of respect.

Neji shrugged. It was none of Kiba’s business, really, and he didn’t bother trying to answer.

“That’s a good boy ya got there,” Kiba remarked. “But ya should probably get him outta here before he comes all over himself just from touching you.”

Nodding, Neji gently reached down and removed Shikamaru’s hand from the waist of his pants. Then he settled the hand back on the belt, and Shika got the hint immediately. Shika undid the belt to fix it back the way it was.

“Thanks for lettin’ me play, sir. Reminded me ‘a the good old days before ya went and fell in love. Now, I’m gonna go have t’find me something to beat black and blue. Enjoy yer boy.”

Neji nodded in recognition of the thanks and words, and Kiba squeezed his arms. Then the Inuzuka was gone; lost in the pit crowd.

It took some doing, but Neji managed to get himself and Shika out of the pit and back to the bar.

“Two waters,” Neji called and immediately two chilled bottles of water were put into his hands.

Neji drained the bottle in less than a minute, and Shikamaru did the same. By the light of the bar, Neji could see Shika was flushed and slightly dazed. His hair was damp with sweat around his temples and forehead, and the sleeves of his shirt were pulled up over his elbows in an attempt to cool off.

He looked utterly and completely fuckable. Neji licked his lips.

“Want to get out of here?” Neji asked.

Shika looked at him with slightly widened eyes and nodded once.

With a sudden and intense sense of possession, Neji grabbed Shika and hugged him hard enough to make bones pop. Then he turned and, holding Shikamaru by the hand, he headed for the exit.

Instead of trying to get out through the front entrance, Neji turned at the end of the bar and left through a side door. It opened into the garden, and Neji had a key for the gate so they could get out this way. Several people stood under a large tree and smoked, and others found shadows and put them to good use.

They were halfway to the gate when Shika suddenly stopped. Neji turned and there it was: the anxiety he wanted to avoid tonight.

“Are you angry?” Shika asked. His voice was steady and close to normal, but he didn’t look at Neji. “You don’t seem angry, but I’ve got to know…”

“No,” Neji said and cupped Shika’s face in his hands. Neji didn’t even have to think about what had Shika nervous. Neji kissed Shika lightly, looked at him, and then did it again.

“I’m not angry. I invited him over to us, and I know Kiba.” Neji said the last a little ruefully.

“But you did absolutely nothing wrong.” Another kiss. “In fact you did most things a little too right.” Neji ground his erection into Shika’s hip to prove the point. Shikamaru grunted and then sighed.

“Okay,” Shika said and his shoulders relaxed a bit.

“Come home with me?” Neji asked, hands still on Shika’s face.

“Yeah,” Shika whispered and licked his lips. “Sounds good.”

Neji smiled and then turned to keep going, but Shika tugged on his hand again. Neji bit back impatience.

“Shika?” he asked.

Now Shikamaru looked nervous. “About the rest of the night…”

Neji swallowed the urge to tell Shika exactly how the rest of this night was going to go and he needn’t worry about it. But he channeled patience: just reassure the man so you can get him home and naked.

“I know,” Neji whispered. He stepped back to pull Shikamaru to him and spoke into his ear. “No pain, and I swear I won’t do anything without permission first. Just like we’ve been doing. That okay?”

“No,” Shika said and pushed away from Neji, whose heart stopped with that one syllable.

“I mean, yes – it’s been fine. More than fine.”

Resume heartbeat.

“But earlier at the office…when you just…” Shika shuddered. Then he looked up at Neji, his lips pressed tightly together.

“I need to tell you something.”

Neji’s eyes searched Shikamaru’s. “Tell me,” he said softly.

“I don’t think…” Shika paused and sighed. “I don’t think I can go much further than we have, er, in some ways.”

Well. That was nice and clear. Neji arched an eyebrow.

“Shika?”

“Look, the guy from Haze he…” Now Shika shifted in Neji’s arms and the muscles in his jaw flexed. “He sort of…well, not sort of.” Another pause.

“Oh goddammit. No anal, okay?”

The whirlwind of emotion that flew through Neji sucker punched him. He breathed and tried very hard not to let anything show, lest Shika think Neji was upset with him. Neji wasn’t; not in any way. Most of what he felt boiled down to anger at the fuckhead who hurt Shikamaru and tenderness toward the man in his arms, whose fists were clenched and brow furrowed at his admission.

“It’s okay, Shikamaru. I wasn’t going to suggest that for tonight. I told you – we go at your speed, not mine.”

Dark eyes looked up at him and Neji saw worlds of old hurt and doubt in their depths.

“There’s more,” Shika said.

Neji wasn’t entirely sure his blood pressure could take it, but he kept his expression tender.

“Tell me.”

Shika’s head tilted slightly to the side and spoke slowly. “I don’t necessarily dislike all pain. Although I know why you’re keeping it out of the equation, and you should know that means a lot to me.” Blushing, he fidgeted with the hem of Neji’s shirt.

“You mean a lot to me,” Neji said.

“But now that you know what we can’t do…I wouldn’t mind it – actually, would like it if we…if you didn’t…”

Neji had never seen Shikamaru this flustered. It was equal parts endearing and maddening.

“Fuck,” Shika said, frustrated. He looked skyward, as though counting to ten. Then his eyes met Neji’s.

“What I’m trying to say is that you don’t have to ask me every step of the way tonight.” Shika swallowed and adrenaline dumped into Neji’s bloodstream with enough force to make his breathing stutter.

Neji started to speak but instead made a little startled noise when Shikamaru suddenly pulled his body flush with Neji’s and spoke into his ear, one hand in Neji’s hair.

“I’m sorry,” he whispered. “I’m not usually this bad at saying what I want. It’s clear in my head, and I’ve done it before. But when I look at you all I see is what I want you to do to me and the words go.”

Neji could sympathize. Forcing himself to breathe slowly despite his thudding heartbeat, he settled his hands on Shika’s waist. “Try just telling me what you like instead of telling me what you want to do. Sometimes that’s easier.”

“Okay,” Shika said, voice breathy.

Neji bit back a pant of anticipation and moved them into shadows under a large tree. He was grateful that no one else was using this shadow for the same purpose.

“I love being told what to do, like when you tell me how to stay or how to move.” Shika shivered, and Neji’s cock began to positively ache.

“You being controlling and aggressive is so…I-I went home after that night we talked and jerked off thinking about the sound of your voice. And then tonight at the office you sounded just like I thought you would and…”

Neji was on fire. Images of Shika filled his mind: him lying on his bed, pumping his cock, biting his lip as he made those little noises of need. And he was thinking about Neji while he did it. He reached down and covered Shika’s erection through his pants, making the man jump.

“Tell me what else,” Neji said, tone bordering on demanding.

For a second, Shika just breathed heavily against the side of Neji’s face. He pushed into Neji’s touch and dug his fingers into the bare skin of Neji’s arm.

“It’s been forever since I wanted to just tell someone to take control and do whatever they want, but fuck, Neji, I want you to.” Shikamaru swallowed and he couldn’t seem to get control of his breathing. Neji started to speak again, but Shika cut him off, his voice quiet and hurried.

“I’m beginning to understand why you think we’re a good match. At first I thought it was just me wanting to please somebody, but I think it might just be you.” He swallowed. “I want to – fuck, I want to do everything. I want you all over. But it’s too fucking much. I think. And Neji, I’m sorry. If I’d known that you…then I never would have. I just would have asked. I trust you.”

“Shika – “ Neji started. It felt like his heart was breaking and filling at the same time.

“And then in there…” Shikamaru panted, his breathing erratic. “When Kiba had you and you let me…oh god…Neji.” Shika ground his face into Neji’s shoulder, hands clutching. Neji bit his tongue to stifle noise.

“I want to touch you, taste you, do anything that you’ll let me do. That you make me do.” Shika hissed and grabbed Neji’s wrist.

“Stop or I’ll come,” he gasped.

Neji stilled his hand and squeezed Shika roughly through the soft fabric. Shika buried his face in Neji’s neck to muffle his whine. Neji took his hand away and wrapped his arms around Shikamaru.

“It’s okay,” Neji soothed. It was actually more than okay; he needed a new word for “okay.” But Neji calmed himself down and focused.

“Breathe in through your nose,” Neji commanded softly. Shika obeyed, the breath shaky.

“Hold it.” Neji counted to five in his head. “Out through your mouth.”

Shika blew out a lungful of air.

“Again.”

It wasn’t the first time that Neji held someone while they admitted what they wanted. Neji’d seen tears, joy, all sorts of reactions. And while that experience helped him know what to do – make sure Shika didn’t hyperventilate for example – it didn’t help with the simultaneous aches in his heart and cock because it was Shikamaru saying the words this time.

His Shikamaru…

…who responded to everything Neji did with breathless need. Neji knew it was because they were new; because Shika had probably never experienced someone who just wanted to make him happy or who wouldn’t abuse him to feed a need.

But the intensity of being with Shikamaru still dumped gasoline onto the fire in Neji’s veins.

While Shika got his breathing under control with Neji’s soft instructions, Neji thought fast about his plans for the night. With a couple of happy altercations, he could do exactly what he originally intended. Sheer anticipation threatened to make him tremble, and he breathed with Shika.

“I’m so happy you told me all this,” Neji said softly against Shika’s hair. “You make me so happy, Shika.”

“You, too,” Shika said, his voice much more stable.

Neji closed his eyes and channeled inner strength and responsibility. Lust and giddiness went into a box, and Neji forced himself to think.

“Here’s what we’re going to do,” Neji said. “You’re coming home with me, and I understand that you’re giving up enough control that I don’t need to ask your permission at every phase. Correct?”

“Yeah,” Shika said, his voice barely audible.

“I agree that we shouldn’t go much further than we have given the circumstances, but I need to clarify one more thing: I trust no anal means I can’t penetrate you with my penis. But how do you feel about other things? One finger and tongue, specifically?”

Neji felt Shika’s knees shake a little, but Neji remained silent.

“Those two things would be all right,” Shika said. Neji grinned over the top of Shika’s head.

“Next thing: you should know that I’m not a fan of heavy pain. I rarely do it, and I don’t particularly enjoy it. That’s one of the reasons I think we’ll play well together.”

Shika sighed against him. Neji felt lightheaded: he was standing under a tree holding Shikamaru and they were negotiating the night. Neji tightened his grip on Shika to reassure himself this was real.

“And because of your past, I hesitate to do anything that involves pain. So, I propose that if I want to do anything that might cause discomfort, I will ask permission first and tell you specifically what I want to do. And I won’t be asking for anything like that if and when you’re too far gone to care. Agreed?”

“Agreed,” Shika said.

“I’m fond of using terms like ‘pet’ and ‘boy’ when I play. Do any of those terms offend you?”

“No,” Shika replied. “What should I call you?”

“I like, ‘sir.’” But honestly anything would work coming from Shikamaru’s lips…but Neji left it at “sir.”

Shika nodded and sighed.

“Any other questions?” Neji asked, rubbing circles on Shikamaru’s back.

“Will…will you let me get you off? At some point tonight?”

Neji hummed against Shika’s hair. “What did I say at the office earlier?”

Shika pulled back to look at him. “That you were later.”

“There’s your answer.”

“All right.” Shikamaru’s face was adorably serious.

“Final thing: I use two safewords. One to stop a particular action or to break for a question, and the other to stop everything. Do you want to pick them or do you want me to?”

“You,” Shika said immediately.

“To stop a single action or to stop me and ask a question, you say ‘goldfish.’ Say it now.”

“Goldfish,” Shika said, lip twitching.

“Good. To stop everything, you say, ‘Hinata.’”

That earned Neji a laugh. “Your cousin’s name?”

Neji smiled. “It makes me think she’s in the room getting ready to pass out from shock, and it’s stopped me cold both times a sub used it.”

“Goldfish and Hinata. Got it.”

Neji reached out a hand and stroked over one of Shika’s cheekbones. “Anything else before we start?”

Shikamaru’s eyes were a little wide as he considered for a moment. Neji knew better than to ask if he was sure. Shika wasn’t the kind of person to say things he didn’t mean, and trust had to go both ways. Neji told himself that between safewords and his experience Shika would be fine. Then he told himself that again just to be on the safe side.

Shikamaru slowly shook his head.

“Okay then,” Neji said. He stepped closer to Shika and lightly kissed his forehead. Then he pulled back to look in his eyes.

“Let’s begin.”

~*~

A/N: Nothing like a cliff-hanger, eh? XD XD XD Thank you for reading!!