Author's Note: I can't get enough of this pairing and a few others share my sentiment. So I decided to start a collection of ItaNeji one shots, they will mainly take place in the Caged Birds universe and follow a separate story line.(for obvious reasons) The events in this one shot take place a year before Sweet Revenge. Therefore, you don't necessarily have to read the multi-chapter fic to enjoy these shorts. This story in particular focuses on the start of Itachi's and Neji's strange relationship, that I will depict in other one shots.
Disclaimer: All characters belong to Masashi Kishimoto. But this AU is my own creation.
Beta: PrincessHyuuga01
Warning: Swearing, Fooling around - No sex you pervs ;)
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The body hit the ground with a loud thud. Not missing a beat, Itachi grabbed the corpse by the ankles and pulled it deeper into the alley where his tools were. Mechanically, he laid out the garbage bag, placed the body on it and proceeded to wrap it. After wrapping the head, midsection and ankles with duct tape; he tossed the body over his shoulders.
It was a chilly, clear night only illuminated by the light of starlight and the radiance of the moon. February 14th never held any significance to him, so tonight was like any other night in Itachi's opinion. When he was stalking his target, he passed countless couples on the sidewalks, crowded restaurants and bustling flower shops. However it was all mundane in his opinion. A single day dedicated to love - it was painfully farcical.
Using his key fob, he popped his trunk opened and unceremoniously dumped the body in. While people were out spending money on flowers and overpriced chocolates, he'd just made sixty grand for killing an unfaithful husband. Ironically, the wife wanted him murdered on Valentine's Day. Apparently he preferred the company of the gardener...and the maid, even the cable guy. Basically anyone that wasn't his wife.
Scoffing, Itachi climbed in his car and started it. The Lamborghini's engine purred as he drove through the streets of Konohagakure. After he checked in with Sasori, he would have the rest of the night to himself. Unfortunately going back home for the night was off limits because Sasuke requested privacy so he could spend time with Naruto. As if they didn't spend all of their time together in the first place.
Yet Itachi decided to humor him anyway. Besides he would prefer not to hear or see his brother engaging in any intimate acts - again. Just last week he was scarred when he walked in on the two getting far too cozy on the couch. Since then he opted to sit on the love seat instead, but he had an inkling that all of the furniture had already been defiled by the teens. Dismissing the disturbing thought, he focused on completing the task at hand.
The drive to Sasori's was short and when he arrived the man was drinking a glass of red wine. Nodding his head in greeting, Itachi dropped the body to the floor.
Looking over the brim of his glass, Sasori's brown eyes landed on the offending corpse that was rudely dumped on his Persian rug. "Brusque as usual, Itachi." Sitting the glass down, he stood up from the black chaise lounge chair and crossed the short distance. The corpse could have been a mannequin from how nonchalantly he handled it. Only Sasori would have no qualms with inspecting a dead body. He didn't get squeamish or hesitant around corpses; if anything he seemed more comfortable around them.
"I'll deposit the money to your account," Sasori said as continued to kneel over the bag. "Pein-sama told me to inform you that your next assignment will be in Suna. Your departure is scheduled for Sunday evening." He stood up and pulled put his handkerchief to wipe his hands.
"Hn." Was Itachi's only response before he headed to the front door. His job was officially done; Sasori would handle the body disposal.
. . . .
After making a pit stop at his house to remove the scent of blood and death from his person, Itachi drove aimlessly around the city in search of entertainment. Absently, he thought about the last time that he had a session with his submissive. It had been a month ago so they were long overdue. Itachi could call the man now and he'd drop all of his plans for only a few hours with him. The man was aware that it was Itachi who called the shots; arranged the time and place for them to meet. It had always been like that, even when Itachi was sixteen.
But Itachi was growing bored of the older man. They had been participating in the scene together for six years and it was vastly losing its spark. Though the premise of their roles was for the man to be submissive and do as he was told, it wasn't the same. There was no longer the euphoric rush that he used to feel when the man crawled on all fours and begged to be fucked. Now it was as if Itachi did everything clinically but fucking wasn't supposed to be done with cold indifference. Itachi was ready for something new, exciting and -
A sinister smirk played at the corners of his mouth. "Speak of the devil and he shall appear." Itachi murmured to himself.
Out on the sidewalk, under the faint glow of the flickering street lamp was the cure for his boredom.
It was Saturday, the past week had been taxing and Neji just wanted to relax. The plan was to stay indoors and sleep until the day passed. Instead he had made the poor decision to leave the confines of his apartment. Neji couldn't really explain the bought of spontaneity; he was just tired of staring at the bleak walls of his apartment. Though, he regretted that he had to pick tonight, of all nights to desire some fresh air.
Acts of PDA were hot on every corner and Neji had to keep himself from gagging. One would accuse him of having high sodium levels, but he wasn't salty. The concept of Valentine's Day just didn't make any sense to him. Simple as that.
All of his friends were participating in the celebration, even Hanabi had a date. What exactly did that say about him? Maybe it was the permanent scowl and haughtiness that kept people from approaching him. Actually, Neji did get approached but never by anyone that peeked his interest. His best friend, Tenten, told him that he was too standoffish whenever they went out. But he only acted like himself; no matter the setting or the situation he remained true to himself. If someone couldn't handle his personality, then good riddance.
The sidewalk was crowded, too crowded for his tastes. A glimmering light pulled his attention to the street lamp that he was standing under. The light bulb flickered spasmodically as if it had a message of life and death. Out of his peripheral Neji saw a dash of black; he turned his head in time to see a sleek black Lamborghini pass by. His pale eyes watched the car turn the corner before he tore his gaze away and headed to his destination.
Shuriken wasn't as packed as the other local establishments and he was grateful. Walking up to the bar, he greeted the bartender and ordered a whiskey-neat. As he waited for his drink he looked around the building in search of somewhere to sit since there were no seats at the bar. There was a booth near the back that was secluded from the other tables.
Perfect.
After paying for his drink, he picked up his glass and made his way to the booth. A few couples danced - dry humped each other - on the small dance floor. For once, tolerable music was playing and his drink wasn't watered down. All in all it was shaping up to be a relatively decent night.
Albeit a lonely night; but a decent one nonetheless. Honestly, majority of his nights were like this. Tenten went to school in a different city and only visited during breaks. If his face wasn't shoved into a book or he wasn't playing Shogi with Shikamaru, he was alone. Either at home or at a bar - he was more than likely alone.
Talk about depressing.
The whiskey burned its way down his throat and he grimaced slightly. He wondered how he looked from a spectator's perspective; drinking alone at the back of the bar. In his tan overcoat, white cashmere sweater and designer shoes, Neji could only imagine what people thought about him. Under all the supercilious nonsense he was only an eighteen year old virgin loner with poor social skills.
Chuckling, Neji downed the rest of his glass. He had always had the habit of thinking about the most peculiar things when he was on the verge of inebriation. Standing up, he headed to the bar and ordered another glass. He had always been a lightweight, something that he could never understand, so three glasses were his limit for the night.
Neji was so enthralled by the bartender fixing a Rum Martinez that he didn't notice the person that had walked in the front door. He also didn't notice the way the man stared at him with a predatory smirk on his face before he moved to the back of the room.
Once the drink was handed to the woman who'd ordered it, the bartender made his way over to Neji. "Another whiskey-neat?" He asked while he placed his elbows on the counter.
"Yes." Neji pulled out his money, but was stopped.
"It's on the house." The bartender said before he walked off to go make the drink.
When he turned around, Neji slyly checked him out. On a scale to one to ten, the bartender was a smooth seven. Maybe if he had another drink the man's attractiveness would jump up a notch. However, a seven was still pretty high on the scale in Neji's opinion. Though, he wasn't going to make a move, not unless the bartender made one first. One would argue, that by him paying for Neji's drink that he'd subliminally made a move, but that wasn't good enough for the Hyuga. In order to save face, he needed a more forward pass.
Who was he kidding? Neji never made the first move because he didn't know how to. His gaydar was obsolete - in fact it never existed in the first place. The last thing he wanted to do was try to approach someone on an intimate level and they turn out to be straight. The embarrassment that he would experience in that moment would be dishonor on all of his Hyuga ancestors.
So, he just paid for his drink anyway; consequently rejecting the bartender in the process, and headed back to his booth. Neji took a sip of his drink on his way there, when he lowered his glass he saw someone sitting at his table. Annoyed, he narrowed his eyes and sped up his steps. Neji had planned to give the person a piece of his mind. That was until he walked up to the booth and actually got a look of the man that was seated there.
If the bartender was a seven this man obliterated the entire scale; a simple scale couldn't begin to describe his grandeur. Ebony hair contrasted harshly yet aesthetically against alabaster skin. His eyes were twin pools of lustrous onyx; Neji felt as if he were looking into an endless stretch of midnight.
Neji stood there, glass in hand, mouth partially opened as he tried to remember how to speak. With an elegant brow raised, the stranger looked at him expectantly as though it were Neji who was imposing on him. The look on the man's face was enough to break Neji out of his stupor.
"You're in my seat." Neji was proud of how steady his voice was. Handsome or not, the man needed to get up and find somewhere else to sit.
The stranger casually glanced around the bar. "Hn. What's your name?" He asked. His deep baritone was enticingly smooth and alluring, compelling him to answer the question.
"Hyuga Neji." Mentally, Neji cursed his tongue for speaking without his mind's consent. There was a glint in the man's dark eyes that unsettled him yet he couldn't look away.
"Neji," The named rolled off the man's tongue so eloquently. "Forgive me, but I do not see your name written on this table or anywhere else in this establishment."
It was as though he'd just been doused in cold water and the spell was broken. "Doesn't change the fact that you need to get up and find another seat!" He bit out tersely. Of course his name wasn't carved on the wooden counter top but that was still his table.
"Tell you what," A pale hand gestured to the vacant side of the booth. "How about you join me?"
Warily, Neji stared at the empty seat, and then he looked around the bar and noted that more people had started to fill in the other tables. That left him with two options: Take the handsome stranger up on his offer or just go home, and spend the night browsing Netflix. Seriously, who in their right mind would pick the latter over the former?
Obviously not Neji because he took the seat across from the man. Being relatively social for one night wouldn't kill him. As he sat down he was sure that he caught a glimpse of a triumphant gleam in the man's eyes but the emotion was quickly replaced with apt interest.
Sitting his glass on the counter, Neji removed his scarf, the air in the bar was near stifling - or was it the intensity of the man's gaze that caused him to shift uncomfortably in his seat?
"It's rude to stare." Neji remarked. He sat his scarf to the side and debated on removing his coat as well.
"Couldn't help myself." His response was laid-back, like he wasn't trying to be charming, it just came naturally. He extended his hand. "Itachi."
Hesitantly, Neji slid his hand across the table until it was clasped in his. A current of sensation ran up his arm and swirled over his body like water sizzling on a stove. From the tightening of Itachi's grasp, it was evident that he felt the almost painful sensation as well.
Neji gently pulled his hand away, and leaned back. His hand felt warm; he could still feel the echo of Itachi's palm against his own palm.
An eternity ticked by before Neji broke the painfully awkward silence. "What's your surname?" He asked. The man's features were distinctive to only one clan in Konoha.
Itachi contemplated on telling the Hyuga his last name. He had already slipped up and used his real name instead of the alias that he normally went by. But he didn't want to hear Neji say any other name besides his own.
"Uchiha." Itachi decided to allow himself a small exemption to his rule of confidentiality; if only for one night.
It was just as Neji suspected. Instead of making a comment on the man's family name he opted to take a sip of his whiskey. Fawning like a prepubescent school boy was beneath him, so he would treat Itachi like any other person.
When Neji sat his glass down and removed his coat, Itachi watched him intently. The Hyuga was just as captivating up close. His long chestnut hair was lustrous and thick, hanging heavily over his shoulders. A faint flush from inebriation, dusted his elegant cheekbones. Despite his effeminate characteristics, Neji was obviously a man - a strikingly beautiful man with eyes that shone like two luminous pearls.
Frowning, Itachi rid his mind of the platitudinous poetry. Yeah, Neji was attractive but he was no different than any of his previous prey. By the end of the night, the Hyuga would be writhing beneath him, begging him to go harder and faster.
If he were simply a quick fuck then why did I tell him my real name? Itachi asked himself. But it was of no consequence; the night would still end the way that he'd planned.
The way that the man had been raking his eyes all over his form was not lost on Neji. He licked his lips unconsciously, wondering what it would be like to kiss Itachi, but it was almost unfathomable as he was so... alright, he'd call a spade a spade, he was hot. Neji cleared his throat, "Are you going to get anything to drink?"
Itachi's intentions weren't to drink; he had just parked his car and peeked in every restaurant that was on the street until he found Neji in Shuriken. Now that he thought about it, he went through a lot of work just to be sitting across from Neji. Frankly, it was the most effort that he had ever given during his perusal of anyone. Unless they were on his hit list.
While Neji waited for a response he finished his own drink. As an unconscious act of self-preservation, he decided that he probably shouldn't drink anymore for the remaining of the evening. Being around Itachi, in the secluded booth, made his brain all fuzzy. The thoughts that were running through his mind were not only inappropriate but they were delusional as well.
Without a word, Itachi stood up and went to the bar. Neji watched him the entire time, his eyes never leaving the man's back. It wasn't until Itachi turned around and smirked at him, that he averted his gaze. His cheeks tingled from his embarrassment. Placing his hand on the table, Neji reached for his empty glass and nervously fiddled with it. Then he realized what he was doing and opted to just place his hands in his lap. If he was going to fiddle it was going to be under the table so Itachi couldn't see the effect that he had on him.
Anything dealing with academics or his family's technique, Neji was fully confident in his ability to succeed. However, same sex attraction was an entirely new playing field for him. He had dated a woman before; but besides kissing and a little fondling here and there, that was as far as he went. Besides the incident when he was eight, he had never even kissed another guy, but there was no doubt in his mind that he was gay.
There was no denying the fact that he was attracted to Itachi. Neji just didn't know how to crystallize his intentions and make them known. Also, he didn't know how far he wanted to take things with the man. Maybe he needed to rethink his decision to not have another drink.
Itachi came back to the table with two drinks; as though he was aware of Neji's internal dilemma. "Whiskey-neat." He slid the glass across the table and placed his own in front of him.
Neji accepted the glass, but eyed the man suspiciously. "How did you know that?"
"Lucky guess." Itachi murmured as he brought his glass to his lips.
Again, Neji had to divert his gaze. He looked at his own glass before drinking it. His brain was going haywire telling him to slow down, but the knots in his stomach overrode the warning. Instead of sipping, he completely downed the entire glass, and then slammed it on the counter with more force than necessary. A deep chuckle pulled his attention back to Itachi.
"You should slow down," Itachi warned. "You look like a lightweight."
Haughtily, Neji crossed his arms, but the movement wasn't as graceful as it usually was. "I'm not a lightweight, Uchiha."
"Hn," Itachi pushed his glass over to the man. "Prove it." He didn't understand why he suddenly felt the urge to tease Neji, but he couldn't resist.
Neji knew that Itachi was trying to get under his skin yet he picked up the glass anyway. Blame it on his pride or plain idiocy. After finishing the glass, he quickly regretted the decision, but his face remained impassive - or so he thought.
The change was almost instant; Neji's pale eyes glazed over, his cheeks bled crimson and a light sheen of sweat was visible on his nose. Itachi's lips quirked faintly in amusement.
"How old are you, Neji?"
"18."
Red flag. Itachi chastised himself for not asking that sooner. "You're awfully young." He said. Then raked his eyes over the man, who was shorter than him by only a few inches, toned arms were visible under his turtleneck and his jawline was defined and prominent. Neji didn't really look like a teenager.
"You talk as if you're in your thirties." Neji rudely snorted. "How old are you?"
"22."
"Four years older? Such a huge difference." He sarcastically drawled.
True, eighteen wasn't young - well to Itachi it was. Maybe because he had to become a man at the young age of thirteen. In Itachi's eyes he was damn near pushing thirty. He was about to ask the man a more forward question but a guy walked up to their table.
"My shift ends in half an hour," Itachi realized that it was the bartender and that he was talking to Neji. "Mind if I join you for a drink later?"
Silently, Itachi sat back, his hands twitched with the overwhelming impulse to punch the bartender's teeth down his throat. Which was odd because he had no reason to feel that possessive over Neji. Still he found himself feeling relieved when Neji declined the man's offer. Itachi also felt as if the bartender needed a lesson in manners; he saw that he was already engaging Neji in conversation. So the fact that he even attempted to interrupt was enough to piss him off. Stepping out for a few minutes to dispose of the bartender was at the top of his 'to do list.'
When the bartender walked off, Neji looked over at Itachi. "Itachi?"
At the sound of his name, Itachi's dark thoughts were completely dismissed. Even though his voice was a little slurred, Neji still managed to send a scintilla of warmth through Itachi. That was exactly why he didn't give the man a false name. But he didn't just want Neji to say his name; he wanted to hear him scream it over and over again.
"Why don't you have a date tonight?" Neji asked skeptically. "Someone like you, alone on Valentine's day...it's unheard of."
"Someone like me?"
"You're really attractive." Liquid courage was an amazing thing. Neji no longer felt nervous around the man and he was more comfortable with saying what was on his mind. It would more than likely prove to be a bad thing once the alcohol burned out of his system.
"I could say the same thing about you, Neji."
Scoffing, Neji placed a stray strand of hair behind his ear. "Looks do not make up for social awkwardness." He mumbled.
The bar was now overflowing with people, and loud music blared through the speakers. Itachi wanted to be able to talk to Neji in a more private setting - a more intimate setting. The hotel that he normally frequented was about a block from Shuriken, though he didn't really want to take Neji there. Not yet at least.
"I should leave," Neji clumsily tried to put his coat on. "Damn coat won't go on right." He complained with indignation in his voice.
Chuckling, Itachi stood up, walked to the other side, and took the coat from the befuddled man. "Allow me." He held the coat out and waited for Neji to stand up so that he could assist him.
"I don't need any help."
Ignoring him, Itachi patiently waited for Neji to drop the act. It took longer than he expected, but in the end he stood up and allowed Itachi to slip the coat on. He reached for the man's scarf as well and wrapped it around his neck. His fingers lingered longer than necessary on the hem on the cashmere scarf.
The entire time Neji had been staring at the pale column of his throat. Infinitesimally, his gaze raked up the Uchiha's unblemished face. Then Itachi captured his eyes and Neji didn't look away. He could hear his blood pumping slowly through his body and felt as if he were in a trance. The whole world was slowing down, this moment with Itachi felt like an eternity as he encompassed Neji's world.
Clearing his throat, Itachi dropped his gaze to Neji's lips. Which were as equally distracting as his eyes so he opted for the man's nose instead. It was a rather...cute nose. "Did you drive here?" He asked. His thoughts were growing more disturbing by the second. Why did he feel the need to lean over and peck the man on his nose? Since when did he want to, peck anyone?
"Yes I drove." Neji patted the pockets of his coat. He removed his keys from his pocket or so he thought he did. Bewildered, he stared at his empty hand. "I could've sworn that my keys were just here." He looked up at Itachi to tell him about the strange occurrence, then narrowed his eyes at the man.
Itachi's slender index finger held the keys by the ring. "You're not sober enough to drive." When Neji tried to reach for the keys he easily dodged the man's advances.
"Well, I'll call a cab. Just give me my keys back."
"No."
"No?" Neji turned his head left and then right before staring at the man again. "Pardon me, but it just sounded like you refused to give me my keys back!"
Slipping the keys in the pocket of his trench coat, Itachi gave the man a challenging smirk before he turned on his heel and headed to the front door. Neji was hot on his heels; he silently fumed to avoid causing a scene. The arrogance and rudeness of an Uchiha never ceased to amaze him.
Outside, the temperature had dropped; the frigid air penetrated the skin of Itachi's face, chilling his blood, sinking into the marrow of his bones like wet concrete. The sidewalk wasn't as crowded anymore, most of the people were smart enough to stay indoors. He could hear Neji walking out of the bar, but he kept his back to the man. In Neji's state, he could easily seduce him, take him to a hotel room and have his way with him.
"Hey asshole!" Neji tapped the man on the shoulder. "Give me my keys back." He didn't have to worry about causing a scene out on the sidewalk because there wasn't anyone within hearing range.
"Asshole?" Itachi took another step until their chests were mere inches from touching. "I can assure you that no one else would dare speak to me in such a way. Usually, they say yes please, thank you and my favorite - Yes, master." His voice was more of a drawl, with a definite hint of seduction at the end.
Neji suppressed a shiver; the baritone of Itachi's voice reverberated through his bones. Then he slowly blinked. "Master?"
"Hn."
The Hyuga's laugh was a surprisingly rich sound that enveloped Itachi in the strangest mixture of warmth and affront. "You're delusional if you think that you'll ever hear me call you that." Sex on legs or not, Neji wasn't calling anyone master. Not a chance.
"Is that a challenge?" Itachi simpered as he leaned closer; if he tilted his head just slightly their lips would be touching but he didn't close the distance. He wanted Neji incoherent, unable to think properly.
And it worked because Neji absently nodded his head. He didn't even know what he was agreeing to. In fact he was no longer aware of his surroundings. Were they still in the bar? Bar? What bar? The only thing that Neji was sure of was that he wanted Itachi to be closer; closer until their bodies melded into one.
Unable to resist, Itachi kissed him. It was a chaste kiss more than anything but the touch stabbed through Itachi and warmed him everywhere. His hands came up to frame Neji's face and he pressed kisses on him quickly. Slow kisses, then harder kisses, at the corner of his mouth and one that sucked lightly on his lower lip which Neji felt all down his body and made him gasp in pleasure. Desperately, he gripped the front of Itachi's sweater in order to keep himself grounded when the man deepened the kiss.
Itachi wanted more; he wanted - needed to be inside of Neji.
"Holy crap! You guys are hot!"
Slowly, Itachi pulled back from the kiss and glanced over at a group of teenage girls who were ten seconds from a nosebleed. He suddenly remembered that they were on a sidewalk. With an annoyed groan, Neji put his face on Itachi's chest and pressed himself closer to the man.
"How about we continue this at a more private setting?" Itachi's hands were around Neji's waist; he was actually embracing the man as though they were lovers. When he felt Neji nod his head, Itachi kept an arm around his waist and they walked in the direction of the parking lot - completely ignoring the group of girls that were gaping at them.
"Where exactly are we going?" Neji knew that he probably should've asked that before he got into the man's car. Since he was too buzzed to drive, his car was left in the parking lot; much to his annoyance. He wasn't even that drunk, but then again that was what most drunk drivers said.
"Hotel." Itachi replied off-handedly.
Now that there was some space between them, Neji was able to think clearly. "I'm not going to a hotel with you. Especially when I have my own apartment."
"Even better." With his left hand on the steering hand, he reached over and tapped on his gps screen. "Address?"
Neji slid the man a glance out of the corner of his eye. They weren't acquainted enough for him to just give out his address. What if Itachi was a sociopath?
You weren't worried about that when you allowed him to shove his tongue down your throat.
True. Neji made no protest whatsoever because he had wanted to kiss Itachi. In fact, he'd wanted to kiss the man when he first laid eyes on him.
After Neji put in his address, they remained silent for the duration of the drive. Itachi had all of the necessary items that he would need in the pockets of his trench coat. It was only a quarter until nine, he planned on fucking Neji for a few rounds before he slipped out. Surely the man could just call a taxi in the morning to pick up his car. There was an indescribable emotion lurking in his chest, it was near painful as he thought about how he was practically using Neji to pass the time. But he ignored it.
Chewing on his bottom lip, Neji's head buzzed with possibilities. He'd only had his apartment for a few months, besides a few friends and family, no one else had ever been in his apartment. Especially not someone that he was attracted to. What was he supposed to do when they got there? Kissing was fine, but they couldn't do that all night. Well there were probably a few good movies on the -
Glancing over at Itachi, Neji just knew that the man didn't want to watch a damn movie. He more than likely wanted to do more. Do...him.
-o0o-
The alcohol deserted him when he needed it most. He walked down the hall of his apartment to place their coats in the hall closet; doing his duties as the gracious host. In reality he was trying to busy himself so he didn't have to think about the reality of the situation. Maybe after a tour of the flat, a cup of tea and small talk, he'd feel less tense.
Neji opened the closet, removed a hanger and proceeded to hang up his coat. He was about to do the same with Itachi's but nearly jumped out of his skin when the man pressed up behind him.
"We'll need this" Itachi whispered in his ear while he reached into the trench coat pocket and pulled out something.
Neji was too busy trying to remind himself to breath so he didn't notice anything. "Would you like a tour? Some tea maybe?" His own voice was hoarse and foreign to his ears.
Disregarding the questions, Itachi stuffed the lube and condoms in the pockets of his slacks, then reached for his coat. The only room that he was interested in seeing was the bedroom.
Still as a statue, Neji stood there while Itachi hung up his own coat. His ass was so close to the man's groin that if he made one small move they'd be touching. Itachi's body heat rolled off of him in waves and Neji feared that the back of his shirt would incinerate. Then Itachi wrapped a strong arm around his waist and pulled him flush against his body.
Gasping, Neji eye's widened. "What in the hell is that?"
Itachi placed his hands on the man's hips and sensually grinded against his ass. "What do you think?"
"Feels like a lead pipe." Neji muttered. He closed the door to the closet and then freed himself from the man's arms. When he turned around, Itachi assaulted his lips. The feel of his tongue sliding into his mouth with a soft thrust made Neji's knees weak. It was a totally new sensation and he wrapped his arms around Itachi's neck, needing support to stand.
Itachi reached down and picked him up, so that Neji was forced to wrap his legs around his waist. He walked them down the hall, to the living room. Neji was mildly aware of how effortlessly the man carried him and maneuvered through the apartment. They made it to the couch and Itachi settled his body on top of Neji's, never breaking their kiss.
Faintly, Neji could hear himself mewling, urging Itachi to do more, but he didn't think that he was really ready for that.
Sitting up, Itachi grabbed the hem of Neji's sweater and slipped it off of him. The white undershirt came next. With a soft hum of approval, he ran his fingers across Neji's pectorals before simultaneously twisting the two taunt nipples. His touch was electric, little prickles of pleasure dancing across Neji's skin wherever he touched.
"Itachi, stop." He protested weakly.
Itachi leaned over, placed a kiss on his chin then moved to capture his lips, but was halted by a pale finger. As Neji's finger pressed against his mouth, Itachi opened his lips and licked Neji's knuckle, a quick flick of his tongue, almost teasing. It was deeply erotic and Neji's heart sped up, as though that lick had been somewhere other than one ignominious knuckle.
His hands fisted in Itachi's hair, the dark strands sliding through his fingers like silk. There was no hesitancy or softness in Itachi as he moved his lips to his neck. He jerked against Neji in pleasure, grinding his pelvis against him over and over, mimicking the movement of thrusting within him and Neji realized how easy it would be - a few pesky scraps of fabric removed and Itachi could be inside of him.
Uncertainty flooded Neji, he wasn't ready to go all of the way - not tonight. Despite how good everything felt - physically - Neji wasn't mentally prepared for this.
Itachi was enjoying himself way more than he thought he would. He'd even entertained the thought of staying the night. Of course, he dismissed the asinine thought. Truth be told, Neji was an exquisite man. His timid, almost innocent nature was addicting. However, he couldn't allow himself to get too attached.
"Im not ready."
The quiet admission caused Itachi to halt his ministrations. He looked down at Neji and could see the apprehension in his pale orbs. "Not ready? Don't worry I'll prep you." He pulled out the lube from his pocket and showed it to the man.
Neji stared at the opaque bottle in confusion. "Prep me?" He took the bottle, read the label then frowned. "Water-based?"
"Best of the best." Itachi could see that he was truly bewildered. "Seriously, you don't know what lube is?
"Of course I do! It's lubricant!" Neji handed him back the bottle. "You use it to...lubricate things."
The signs had been there, but Itachi ignored them. He sighed. "You're a virgin." That actually summed up a lot about Neji.
"Is it that obvious?"
"Painfully so." Initially he assumed that Neji was just shy, awkward even but not a virgin. That changes everything. "Have you ever had sex with a woman?"
Lowering his head, Neji allowed his hair to hide his face. "No." He was expecting Itachi to ridicule him then leave.
"You're a unicorn."
So when that came of the man's mouth, Neji shot his head up and gaped at the man. "A unicorn?" Of all of things to come out of the man's mouth, that was the most bizarre.
Itachi raked his eyes over Neji covetously. Yes, a unicorn; the archetype of purity. He couldn't allow anyone else to have Neji; he'd had only a sample but he wanted more. Neji's touch still affected him, even the remnants of them, like a fire that had died out but still gives heat. It would be foolish to let him slip away.
Neji was a blank canvas, Itachi the artist. He could paint him and mold him any way that he saw fit.
Itachi pulled Neji into his arms and kissed him on his forehead chastely. "It's fine, Neji. We don't have to have sex." His voice was an intimate whisper.
"You're fine with me being a virgin?" He couldn't help but to relax in the man's arms once he started to rake his fingers through his hair. It felt nice being held like that; he felt safe.
"Yes, of course." Itachi smirked. "I wouldn't dare be upset with my boyfriend over something so trivial."
Neji's eyes snapped open and he tensed. Some unknown amount of time passed before he found his voice. "Boyfriend?" He looked up at Itachi, whom was smiling at him - it was such a beautifully eerie smile.
"Yes, you're my boyfriend now, Neji." Itachi pecked him on the lips.
From the look on his face, Neji could tell that he was dead serious. He opened his mouth to protest, but Itachi pulled him down until they were snuggled on the couch, his head rested on the man's chest.
What in the hell did I get myself into? Neji wanted to struggle out of the man's arms but he couldn't deny that it all felt...right. That was how he spent the remainder of the night; in Itachi's arms.
It was the beginning of a torrid romance that would have a catastrophic impact on his life, but Neji didn't know that. In that moment he was just happy that for once he didn't have to spend a Valentine's Day alone.
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