You Set Me Free
By mH
When Naruto switched from idly playing with his hair to cautiously fingering the bandages covering his forehead, Neji didn't move. Then again, it was difficult to move at all with a half-naked Naruto straddling his waist and effectively pinning his arms to the mattress with his legs.
When Naruto began to unravel the bandages, Neji turned away from him. But Naruto cupped his cheek and pulled his head back toward him before continuing to strip off the white gauze.
When Naruto slowly traced the pale green lines of his cursed seal with his fingertips, Neji flinched and tried to wiggle his way out from under Naruto. Naruto just let all his weight fall on Neji to keep him in place and asked "What's wrong?"
"You know perfectly well what's wrong."
"No, I don't. That's why I asked."
"Yes, you do."
"Do not."
"...You know I hate being reminded of it."
"You don't still believe in all that fate shit, do you?"
"No."
"So then, what's the big deal?"
"It's still a cursed seal, no matter what I beleive in."
"My seal's more cursed than your's and you don't hear me complaining about it."
"You only ever complain when you're denied ramen."
"Or training. Both are very high on my list of Ultimate Favorite Things."
"What ranks the highest?"
"You."
When Naruto leaned forward to press his lips softly against Neji's seal, Neji let him. Neji didn't let him sit back up however; he slipped an arm out from under Naruto and used it to pull Naruto's lips down to his own by grabbing the back of his neck.
When Naruto mewled pleasently and leaned into the kiss, Neji smirked against Naruto's lips and coaxed his mouth open to deepen the kiss. Naruto didn't need much coaxing when it came to kissing Neji though, as it was one of his favorite pastimes and Naruto believed that Neji tasted better than even ramen.
And when Naruto smiled his genuine smile that he saved just for Neji when they parted just enough to breathe, Neji felt like he had finally managed to spread his wings and fly from the cage that Naruto had opened for him. Neji was finally freed from his family's curse, and it was all because of Naruto.
'Cause I wanted to fly
So you gave me your wings
And time held its breath so I could see
Yeah, you set me free
-Michelle Branch