"I love you."
Her expression was hilarious; he obviously caught her completely off guard with that one. They were in one of their little arguments- the ones were there really was no winner. In fact, it was more of a game to them than an argument. He'd say something sarcastic, and she would reply with something sassy. It would go on until they parted for the day, but today was different. He was tired and didn't want to play their 'game', he wanted to see what she was really thinking. It was Temari, it could be anything.
They've kissed before, they've hugged before, and they've done other stuff, too. They never made a big deal out of it; they weren't like those stupid teenagers they'd see holding hands, prancing around like they completely understood the concept of love.
"Ag!" He was shoved back into the wall- rather harshly, he dare say. It was obvious their 'game' was over with, and whatever she had to say would be taken seriously. "Don't joke like that!"
"Hey," He rubbed the back of his head; the seriousness of his tone took her aback. "I'm not joking."
"Don't make me laugh, Shikamaru. It's always something with you." She turned around, and he was convinced that he made the wrong move- that she was going to leave.
He was certain it was his lose.
"Temari-." He grabbed her hand. She was strong- they both knew this. If she really was trying, she would have easily been able to get out of his grasp and leave.
"Are you saying that to end our conversation?"
"God, she's so skeptical. It's troublesome." He thought, getting in between her and the door. "Temari; look at me." Even though she was almost 20, ironically enough he was a good few centimeters taller than her.
Interestingly enough, she complied, lifting her eyes up to meet his. Though troublesome, she really could be charming at times.
Suddenly all that his father told him made sense as he rested his hand behind her head, looking into her eyes briefly before pulling her into his chest. "Do you want me to repeat it?"
She tensed, sighing in his shirt before giving up. "I know you don't lie, dumbass, so I'm not going to pretend like I don't believe you. I'd just thought that maybe you would go through the trouble of telling me in some romantic way, like you see in those stupid movies. I just realized how idiotic that was of me to think."
He started laughing, and it wasn't his usual chuckle, it was a real, long-lasting laugh. "You seriously thought that?"
"Shut up. I can dream, too."
He looked down, resting his forehead on hers. "I suppose so…So what? No 'I love you, too'?"
Her brows scrunched up, an expression she'd often get when she was annoyed. "What do you think, idiot?"
She pulled him down, he smiled against her lips.
"Even the roughest woman is tender to the man she loves."
He finally understood what his father meant that day.