Quick Author's Notes Started as a drabble. More cliche than it was meant to be.
Angsty Shika/Chou--who'da thunk it?
This is Forever.
"Hey, Shikamaru," Chouji rasped. "…Watch the clouds with me?"
Shikamaru was barely able to muster a grin, but he managed, wincing at his torn facial muscles. "Sure, Chouji," he said, coughing up a little blood. "Sure."
The enemy ninjas were puzzled at this, but that did not stop their attack. One final blow, a simple blast of chakra really, and that's all it took. Shikamaru's small hand grasped in Chouji's big one, smiles on their faces, and the sky bright blue with clouds so soft and white Shikamaru was sure he could touch one...
It wasn't the way he wanted to die. Despite vaguely feeling certain parts of his brain shut down, Shikamaru couldn't help but think that Chouji was beautiful, like a cloud. His optic nerves died, and as cliche as it sounded, the last thing he saw and felt was Akimichi Chouji, pressing a kiss to his cheek and the words "I love you" dead on his lips.
"We'll be with each other forever," a young Shikamaru assured a depressed Chouji, when he asked if Shikamaru would still be his friend even years from now. "Always. Don't worry about it."
"Okay..." He looked doubtful. Shikamaru grinned and grabbed his hand.
"Hey. Watch the clouds with me?"
Chouji's expression brightened up. "Sure, Shikamaru," he said, sitting down comfortably next to his best friend. "Sure."