Lips like Morphine

Pairing: Naruto/Neji
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto. That honor belongs to Masashi Kishimoto.


Frankly, a ninja was lucky to live to the age of twenty-five. As he raised his glass to his lips, Naruto figured, he should count his blessings. After all, he was healthy, he had friends, and he’d just wrapped up the largest paying mission in Konoha history.

Which naturally, meant drinks with whoever was around.

Tonight, it was an all male table. Several bottles in, the atmosphere had changed quite drastically. Though Naruto himself would never reach the pinnacle of drunkenness – thanks to Kyuubi, he didn’t even know what ‘buzzed’ or even ‘tipsy’ felt like – he enjoyed the change in his friends to the fullest. Across from him, Neji lifted his cup and took a long sip. There was a bit of a softness to his usually clear eyes, which meant he was coming around to the fun side.

Kiba had bypassed ‘wasted’, and was well on his way to ‘utterly trashed’. Naruto could tell, by the way the other was falling over his companions. Kiba was an affectionate drunk. Well, that was putting it mildly. If one ever doubted their chances with the young Jounin, all they need do is plough him with enough sake, and he’d fall right into their arms.

Not that Kiba had such a problem. Hell, he got laid more than anyone Naruto knew. Then again, it could just be that Kiba was more vocal than most. And well…some of the things he’d done…Naruto had trained for years with some of the biggest perverts alive. Still, Kiba could make him blush.

Not that he’d ever admit to it.

Neji, was a quiet drunk, which sometimes led Naruto to wonder whether the elder shinobi was faking, like himself. That was, until he’d learned to look Neji in the eye as he drank. It had been unnerving at first, until Neji had stopped taking his staring as a threat and written it off – most likely as Naruto’s drunken habit.

Still, there were days Naruto wasn’t quite sure.

Tonight wasn’t one of them.

Lee, was a violent drunk. He’d toned down, or brushed up – depending on opinion – and could now make it safely through two glasses before challenging whomever was closest. They’d figured out early on, the best way to handle him was to set a challenge, complete with a ‘harsh’ penalty, should he fail, and then trick him into doing it himself. By the time he’d run the challenge, lost and doubled the penalty on himself, he’d be back to even footing, and could be offered another drink. Currently, he was on his eighty-ninth lap – running backwards through Konoha.

He’d be back – and ready for another drink – in half an hour.

Shikamaru was an enlightened drunk. He’d drag their conversations down into serious realms of thought until Kiba or Naruto would do something stupid and laughing themselves near to tears, they’d forget. He was currently looking thoughtfully into his cup. He’d be ready to say something any minute.

Chouji and Shino were away on a mission. Though, had they been present, the former would be ordering everything on the menu, and the latter would be brooding in whichever corner was most convenient. Thankfully – for Naruto’s wallet, and his mood – they weren’t do back tonight.

He didn’t think he could handle any heavy conversation anytime soon, so, waving his arms frantically, with a mad sort of twist to his grin, he summoned the waitress over and ordered another round. As she complied, he poured himself a heavy glass and mourned not being able to join his friends in their loss of inhibition.

It was always something.

He never could just be one of them.

No matter how hard he tried.

He could be their equal. He could be their better. He’d stopped being the ‘dobe’ and started setting the records. Pushing boundaries until they had to struggle to keep up. They’d acknowledged him first. Each and every one at their own pace. Most of the time, he could forget the layers separating them. It just felt natural to be amongst them. And he found it easy as well.

Then he’d find some way to ruin it for himself. A bit too much chakra here, healing a bit too fast there, never knowing things that were so innately human, he felt ashamed to have them explained. They were patient, they were kind, even caring in their regard of his naivete. It made him feel even worse.

Kiba smiled good-naturedly, chin balanced over his hands. Arms surprisingly steady against the table. “So, Naruto…if you had to, which one of us would you fuck?”

Naruto almost choked on his drink. It was a fairly successful save however, as only Neji seemed to catch it, raising a slender brow. He turned to look at his friend, his eyes perhaps too wide. Kiba’s smile turned a bit predatory at that.

“I think you’ve had too much to drink,” he shot back, making a dive for the sake bottle. Kiba grabbed it and held it behind him, which brought Naruto chest to chest with him.

“It’s a fair question,” he replied.

“No it’s not! Give me that!” He dove for the bottle, and Kiba lifted it above his head. Naruto felt them collide, and realized he’d somehow ended up in Kiba’s lap. Forgetting the bottle, he shoved back violently, missing his chair completely and tumbling over into Shikamaru’s legs.

Both shinobi looked down at him, Kiba having thrown himself across the table. “Hey, you alright?”

Naruto groaned and got up, dusting at himself to distract from the blush that had claimed him. “Fine,” he mumbled, settling back into his seat.

Things quieted for a moment, before Kiba leaned close and said, “So?”

Naruto’s brow furrowed. “So, what?”

Kiba sighed, exasperated. “So, which one of us would you pick?”

Naruto swallowed, and tried not to look flustered.

“It doesn’t matter,” he shot back.

“Of course it does,” said Kiba, as if they were calmly discussing mission parameters.

Naruto looked to the others for help.

“Tch…troublesome.”

Neji looked away.

“It doesn’t, because….because I’m not into guys!” He smiled widely, proud with himself.

Kiba’s grin merely widened. “I didn’t say if you’d ‘like to’. I said if you had to.”

Naruto did his best not to squirm in his chair. He was a shinobi, after all. Shinobi didn’t squirm. Kiba blinked at him, eyes locking in on Naruto’s discomfort. The corner of his mouth quirked up amusedly. “It’s not that hard a question,” he continued.

The blonde looked down into his glass for a moment, before drinking the entire thing in a single heaving gulp. Alcohol could give courage he’d heard, but seeing as it had never given him anything before, he wasn’t expecting much from it. He set the cup down, swallowing the last traces slowly. Staling.

Kiba’s grin had turned slightly predatory. He slapped both hands upon the table and leaned forward suddenly. “What’s the matter, Naruto? Hurry up and answer.”

Naruto’s head shot up at the challenge.

“Well, what about you?” he snapped.

Kiba shrugged, unfazed. “I’d fuck any of you.” He gave a cheeky wink and laughed.

Naruto felt something deep in his belly stir at that and wondered vaguely if Kyuubi was awake now. He cleared his throat and covertly looked sideways. Shikamaru had draped himself over the table, and looked for the world like he were about to fall asleep any moment now. Neji calmly reached for his drink and took another sip slowly. His cool eyes drifted over to Kiba as the younger shinobi addressed him.

“What about you, Neji, eh?”

Neji set his glass down. “It depends on the situation.”

“Okay,” Kiba replied. Naruto could tell by the way he was looking at the paler ninja, things were about to go to hell. “Say, you were on a mission. Would you then?”

Neji’s head tilted slightly in consideration. “If it were necessary,” he finally replied, with a short, curt nod.

Kiba beamed, practically crawling across the table. “And if not?” he asked, propping his chin on the backs of his hands once more.

Naruto watched as Neji met Kiba’s stare head on. He was really glad Kiba had forgotten he was there, and was considering sneaking away, when Neji’s eyes suddenly caught his. It wasn’t a look Naruto had ever seen before. It made his belly warm. His nerves stretched out beneath his skin, relaying every pulse of information that barely grazed him. And for some terrible reason, he’d forgotten how to breathe.

His mind panicked instantly. Concerned that this was some terribly powerful new jutsu, he tried to get his body to move, but unfortunately found himself riveted to his chair.

“Perhaps,” Neji finally answered, releasing Naruto’s gaze.

As he turned to look back at a victorious looking Kiba, Naruto tried to right the damage. It was a moment before he could inhale, and he coughed hard into his fist. It brought two pairs of eyes back to him. He steadily avoided the paler ones.

“Swallow wrong?” Kiba taunted, leering at him.

The blonde shook his head emphatically, and dropped back into his chair, thumping at his chest.

“Tch,” came Shikamaru’s voice. He managed to sound both amused and annoyed.

Naruto had the sudden feeling he was being baited, and thought now was as good a time as any to bow out. Standing, he reached into his pocket, and took out enough money to cover the bill for another hour. He dropped it onto the table, and sidestepped his chair.

Stretching wide, he faked a yawn. “Sorry, guys. Looks like the mission’s caught up with me. Time for me to go.” He forced a large smile and a flippant wave. “Ja ne!”

He turned to go and suddenly found Kiba blocking the way. Dammit! Even drunk, Kiba had excellent reflexes. Naruto was forced to take a step back, in order to settle his weight. “You haven’t answered the question, Naruto.”

“Neither did Shikamaru,” he pointed out, gesturing behind him.

Kiba grinned. “It was never directed toward him. I already know he would.”

Shikamaru snorted noncommittally.

“So,” continued Kiba, the tip of his tongue slowly running along the curve of his upper lip. Naruto found his eyes settling there, and was rather perturbed by the fact that it made something in the general area of the seal quiver. “Now that everyone’s answered…” He took a step forward, and Naruto felt himself take another step back. Kiba continued forward, until Naruto was forced back into the table, his thighs bumping the edge. He heard the rattle the disturbance caused, but was too busy trying not to panic again.

That feeling was returning. A heavy weight was settling in his chest, and his legs were threatening mutiny. Kiba’s smile twisted knowingly. He leaned forward, body angled so they didn’t touch, and set his lips against Naruto’s ear. “How about it?” he husked.

Naruto felt a shiver shoot through his body, and couldn’t even wonder at it. His eyes were too busy closing, his throat caressing a reverberating moan. “I think you would,” Kiba added. Naruto almost jumped, when a hand slid down his side. His eyes shot open wide, to find Kiba all too close.

Meeting the others dark eyes, his mind was shocked back to reality. Kiba was unprepared for the hard shove, but only stumbled once, before standing. Naruto had already made a hasty exit.

He ran all the way home, unsure of the reason he was feeling so…conflicted. He’d felt confused around his friends before, certainly. He’d felt left out, stupid, slow and lacking. But he’d never, never felt so…overwhelmingly lost.

Sure, there were plenty of things he didn’t understand. It happened. Most of his life, no one had bothered to acknowledge his existence, let alone answer his questions. And so, he’d had to learn everything second hand from his peers when they weren’t looking. What he didn’t know, he made up for with bravado. Beyond that, he simply distracted them by acting like an idiot, and the pressure was relieved.

But tonight…he’d never felt like that before. Barring the fact that he’d only ever really been able to respond to direct threats, he couldn’t focus. He didn’t understand Kiba’s position on the situation, or the reasoning behind the question. He couldn’t be expected to react if he wasn’t certain how to interpret it.

There was the chance that Kiba had been toying with him. However, that didn’t confirm Neji’s involvement. Neji had never consented to Kiba’s games before, but tonight, he’d answered calmly. As if Kiba were simply asking a tactical question. Naruto mentally paused. Kami-sama! What if he’d overreacted?! What if – for the millionth time – he’d taken something out of context because of ignorance, and now he was acting like a complete idiot?

He would have felt guilty – as he generally did after similar instances occurred – however, if there was one thing he knew how to do well, it was trusting his instincts. His body had told him he was being targeted. The feeling was very familiar. His body had known Kiba was planning something. His body had moved him out of the way before he’d even realized he was in a dangerous situation.

Surely, years of training had paid off. He was finally having gut responses! Suddenly proud of himself, he sped up. Content with his conclusion, he promptly forgot the foreign feelings and returned home.

It was perhaps another hour - after he’d showered and eaten - that there was a sharp knock on his door. Sighing, he went to answer it, hoping it wasn’t a messenger from Tsunade. The last thing he needed right now was a mission. He didn’t think he wanted to see another shinobi for two days, at least. He had enough food to hole up for that long. And if not, Ichiraku’s delivered.

He was surprised to find Neji, brow furrowing. “What happened?” he asked immediately. Neji simply gestured beyond his door. “May I come in?”

“Huh? Oh yeah, sure. Come on in!”

He stepped aside, and Neji gave a grateful nod, before entering. He slipped off his sandals as Naruto closed the door. “Want some tea or something?” Naruto asked, passing him.

“Yes, thank you,” he replied, following.

Naruto padded into the kitchen, a bounce to his step. Even if he hadn’t planned on seeing another ninja for some time, it didn’t bother him that of all the ninja who could have abruptly ruined his vow, Neji had been the one to knock.

“I only have bags,” he said conversationally, as he set the water to boil.

Neji nodded his acquiescence, and Naruto busied himself with the rest of the preparations. They didn’t speak as the water boiled, and only after Naruto had poured them both cups and sat across from him at the island, did he suddenly feel the weight of the lack of conversation.

He gave a laugh and scratched at the back of his head. “Sorry about bailing,” he said, smiling at Neji. “I just-”

“We understand.”

Naruto cleared his throat and looked down at his tea. He took a sip and looked over the rim of the cup. Neji was drinking his tea quietly. There wasn’t anything threatening in his posture or his gaze. So why was it suddenly getting warm? As if chakra were surging wildly.

The blonde gave a cough and set his cup down. “I think I might be getting sick.”

Neji looked up, a hint of concern in his gray orbs.

Naruto waved it away. “I think my chakra-”

He was suddenly staring at Neji’s Byakugan. Holding still, he watched Neji’s eyes stare through him for several minutes. Just when he thought he couldn’t take any more – his heart was pounding - Neji dispelled it.

“Anything?” he asked hopefully.

“You’re fine.”

Naruto was severely disappointed. Neji must have noticed, because he moved his cup aside. “Naruto-”

“Ah. It’s nothing.”

“Naruto.”

Naruto looked up. Neji’s brow furrowed softly, as if considering something unpleasant. Just as Naruto was about to joke it away, he stood with a sigh and moved around the island. Naruto turned in his chair as he stepped in front of him, breath catching in his chest as Neji caught his chin and leaned in, lips touching his gently.

In his entire twenty-five years of life, Naruto had only ever been kissed on the mouth by one other person. And that had been an accident. He froze, eyes going wide, as Neji’s lips pressed more firmly to his. As the brunette tilted his head slightly, Naruto noticed his eyes were closed. A soft, probing thing brushed his lips, and with a gasp, Naruto realized it was a tongue. The gasp expelled the trapped air and opened his mouth to the other all at once.

Neji’s tongue slipped inside his mouth and ran over his own. Naruto moaned at the feeling. The moan eased his eyes into relaxation, and tipping back his head, he closed them. Neji moved forward at his surrender, tongue delving deeper. Naruto’s hands slipped up the other’s arms, settling over his shoulders. Neji released his chin, sliding his hand across the blonde’s jaw, up over his cheek, until the tips of his fingers curled beneath his earlobe.

Naruto sighed as Neji’s thumb stroked his cheek soothingly. Then his hand continued back, until it cupped the base of the blonde’s head. It was about this time that Naruto realized the dizzy feeling was a lack of oxygen and moved to pull away, hands squeezing Neji’s shoulders and shoving insistently. Neji pulled back enough that his lips brushed against Naruto’s, open wide as he panted. “Breathe through your nose,” he instructed softly. Naruto’s nod was interrupted as his mouth descended again.

Breathing through his nose helped. In fact, it was so obvious, he felt stupid for not thinking about it earlier. Neji’s fingers stroked his hair, and Naruto shivered, his own curling in Neji’s well pressed shirt. After what felt like forever, he felt Neji’s free hand slip under his shirt. Surprised at the sudden tantalizing heat, he arched sharply, hands moving to grasp Neji by the back of the neck. He hadn’t realized he’d exposed his own until Neji’s mouth – even hotter than his hand – closed over it.

Naruto’s body moved of its own volition, rocking and writhing beneath the elder shinobi’s. He couldn’t suppress the pleased, steady hum that rolled around within his ribcage and dizzily wandered up and into the other’s mouth. Neji groaned at the noises, and leaned into him, hand finding a virgin nipple and capturing it between two experienced fingers.

The blonde bucked against him as his fingertips danced slow circles about it, hardening it. As Neji’s index finger slipped over the little nub, Naruto threw back his head, gasping at the ceiling, hands squeezing a steady pulse against his neck. The feeling was so intense, Naruto had to struggle not to have his chest cave in – for it was surely threatening.

He looked down as he felt his shirt ride up teasingly against his skin. Neji had released his hold on his head, his other hand slowly dragging the shirt up toward the blonde’s clavicle. Naruto watched, mesmerized, as Neji shifted slightly, moving lower. He settled his weight, and Naruto moaned as their bodies pressed lengthwise. Neji’s radiated hot fire through his clothes, a heat that sunk straight through to Naruto’s bones. So concentrated was he on the heat, that the feel of Neji’s mouth over the formerly fondled nipple took him entirely by surprise. True, he’d watched his mouth approach, in half dazed clarity, but he hadn’t known what it was descending for.

Groaning gutturally, his hands moved up accordingly, gripping the back of Neji’s head, trapping and twisting dozens of silken strands between his fingers. He flexed them as Neji’s other hand found the nipple’s twin. Pulling back, Neji blew softly over the area, sending shocks through Naruto’s system. His hand slipped down Naruto’s sides, gripping his hip as he switched over. There was something about the position – knowing his heart rested just below Neji’s mouth – that made Naruto’s hips jerk up, and a heavy, content moan slip pass his open mouth.

Instead of returning to the now free nipple, Neji’s hand slipped behind, supporting Naruto’s back. It was a few moments of insane delight, before Naruto felt Neji’s hands move back up and push the shirt up to his shoulders, were it got trapped between the juncture of his arms, and bunched beneath his chin. The brunette’s hands pushed insistently, until Naruto got the point. Releasing his hold on Neji, he raised his arms, and helped pull the shirt off. It was tossed aside, forgotten, as Neji’s mouth trailed lower. Following the line of Naruto’s abdomen straight to his belly button.

Neji’s tongue trailed liquid fire, as it spread across sharp ridges and soft planes. The seal hidden just beneath his roving tongue gave a shudder, and Naruto felt a sudden sea of heat flood outward. Neji’s tongue dipped into his belly button. His lips followed, with a hollow kiss that made a light echoing sound as they withdrew. And then his tongue began to thrust into the shallow opening with a beat that was both familiar and foreign all at once.

Naruto reached down, wanting more of Neji’s heat against him. His hands fumbled over the other’s hair and down to grip the material of his shirt above his shoulder blades. Neji complied; unbuttoning his shirt and slipping his arms out before Naruto could rip it free. An idea that brought pleasant surges to the blonde’s subconscious.

The shirt was thrown in abandon, fluttering in the opposite direction of Naruto’s own. Naruto’s now free hands gripped Neji’s skin, urging him up, until they were face to face. Closing the gap, he brought them mouth to mouth.

Tongues battling now, Naruto found himself pulled to his feet. Neji was backing away, drawing a curious Naruto forward. In a sudden burst of energy, the blonde shoved into him, groaning as their bare chests met in pleasant sensation. Thankfully, the wall saved them a tumble, and Neji gasped as he was more thoroughly pressed against it.

Naruto smiled against his lips, as he felt Neji temporarily relinquish control. A quick study when it was warranted, Naruto dropped his head to Neji’s throat and began to nip and suck at it. The brunette groaned, and trapped Naruto’s head between his hands. It was all too easy, Naruto noted, in some still functioning part of his mind. It was as if he’d known how to do this all along, and the new found confidence made him bold.

Neji’s breath rattled in his slim throat as Naruto’s mouth closed over his Adam’s apple. With his free hand, Naruto tugged free the tie that kept Neji’s hair from freely flowing, and almost purred as it suddenly spread over his back, tickling the areas where it escaped Neji’s tight body and met Naruto’s own. Naruto had the sudden overwhelming desire to fill his fist with it and pull hard right by Neji’s skull. The strength of the desire shook him enough, that Neji regained control and pushed him backward.

His knees caught the edge of the couch, and he didn’t question the length of travel; giving in and falling backward into its softness. Neji slipped down with him, settling above him - a comforting weight. Naruto could feel Neji’s abdomen above his groin and thrust his hips, gasping as his entrapped member brushed against it. He was so hard, he was starting to leak all over his clothing, but the feel of thrusting up into Neji was so pleasurable, that he disregarded any notion but the continuation of friction.

Neji however, reached down and pushed his hips back, forcing them into the cushion. Naruto whined, and reached for him. With a quick motion, Neji had freed Naruto’s erection, and the blonde’s whine turned to a hiss, as his hand slid down across it.

“Nng! N-eji!”

Neji slid up to busy their mouths again, quieting the blonde shinobi, as his hand slipped over every inch of exposed skin. His thumb circled the head a few times, spreading the wetness there, and Naruto moaned into his mouth, and drew him closer, to shove his tongue deeper. Neji kissed him back a few moments more, before pulling away.

Naruto watched as the other slipped backward, crawling in reverse. His silken hair ghosted over and around Naruto’s over sensitized skin, and it was almost impossible to keep looking. But, Neji held Naruto’s eyes in a steady, heady gaze, and Naruto’s lusted over, before closing entirely as Neji’s mouth closed over him. It took all his willpower not to thrust mindlessly into the hot cavern that surrounded him, but the effort was rewarded. Neji suddenly sucked, and Naruto cried out, hands surging down to recapture sweet strands in messy clumps.

The harder Neji sucked, the harder it became to not thrust. The more he ran his tongue in tight circles over Naruto’s shaft and focussed flicks over his sack, the more Naruto wanted…something he couldn’t quite explain. He knew it involved thrusting and a lot of it at that, so it couldn’t be all that bad.

Neji freed Naruto of the rest of his clothes, and divested himself as well in a preemptive strike – Naruto’s hands were ready to tear the rest of the clothes from the paler man’s body as soon as they got the chance. He settled back between the blonde’s legs, and Naruto’s eyes devoured the naked form before him. Using his grip in Neji’s hair, Naruto drew the other up, sitting up himself. Neji stilled, as Naruto moved him to kneel and knelt before him. Then the blonde released him, hands moving to glide over the other’s body appreciatively.

Neji sighed as Naruto’s hands wandered over him, and moved to grip the other’s arms as Naruto reached down and caught his own erection between two strong hands. Naruto gave a confident squeeze, smiling in triumph as Neji cried out and dropped into him. He worked Neji carefully, unsure of the angle. All too soon, Neji was thrusting against him, and Naruto gave a little chuckle for having brought the stoic shinobi to a tremble.

His moment of victory was stolen out from under him, as Neji caught his own erection once again. The brunette drew closer, which left Naruto gasping, as electric shocks seemed to shoot from the close contact of their skin. Neji’s hands moved back to cover Naruto’s, forcing the blonde’s to open. It took all of a moment for the disappointed feeling to be ripped away, as Neji’s slick member suddenly met Naruto’s own.

Naruto gasped, and Neji’s forehead dropped against his. Neji guided the motion of their hands, allowing them both to thrust against one another, and draw one another to greater heights all at once. They gasped into each other’s mouths, pushing, pulling, shoving and thrusting. Naruto’s eyes fluttered open and met Neji’s. In that instant, the world made complete sense, and Naruto felt life pause. And then he was tumbling over, shouting hoarsely into Neji’s mouth, as the other cried out into his own.

They were both shaking, heavy liquid seeping through the gaps in their fingers. It dripped unto the couch lazily, as their flagging members took last moments of pleasure against each other.

Naruto let go first, falling into Neji’s chest, and gripping him above the elbows. His head dropped unto Neji’s shoulder, as the other’s hands slipped up to smooth the goose bumps from his arms. The slickness that followed only caused the blonde to moan, in recognition.

Neji’s hands smoothed up his back and drew him closer, embracing him. Naruto felt the tenderness of the gesture, and placed a soft, grateful kiss to the juncture of Neji’s neck and shoulder.

They remained that way a few moments more, before Naruto suddenly started laughing. He felt Neji grip his arms and draw him back, looking down into his eyes in confusion. Naruto simply smiled widely. “'If' I had to,” he said.

And Neji smiled.