On the seventh day of Christmas my True Love gave to me…

Seven swans a swimming.

Swamp Country was, despite its name, very beautiful. Even at this time of year their hidden village had flourishing water gardens that put Konoha's few to shame. For Naruto, however, he would much rather be back in his hometown despite the cold and the snow.

So here he was new years eve, tucked away in a corner of the public gardens, trying to appreciate them.

The furthest he got was counting swans. There were seven right now, white and stark against the cold looking waters.

He heard the crunch of approaching footsteps, but was unconcerned. He knew he had been followed—be it by protective detail or to make sure he could not do anyone harm—by a swamp nin.

Turning slightly he caught a faint trace of dog and the smell of earth and musk.

"Hey Kiba," he said, going back to leaning on the railing.

Kiba didn't say anything, he just walked behind Naruto and placed his hands on either side of the blonds' body, effectively trapping him.

Confused, Naruto tried to turn but stopped when he felt Kiba's chin rest on his shoulder. Stilling, his mind suddenly kicked into a higher gear.

Water garden. Close proximity. Alone.

He felt his face heat up and held back a groan. This was the perfect romantic spot and he had fallen right into it.

He went slightly limp in Kiba's arms and thumped his head down lightly on the railing.

Kiba chucked behind him and got an elbow (lightly) in his ribs for it.

"Kiba," He started angrily, but Kiba was having none of it.

"No, shut up, let me talk." Naruto went stiff. "Don't do that! It's New Years, you can relax a little."

Frowning, and a bit confused, he allowed himself to relax into Kiba, who immediately wrapped his arms around Naruto's waist. They just stayed like that for a moment, Kiba relishing the closeness no doubt, while Naruto waited for him to speak, and he realized, begrudgingly, that this was nice, being held.

"Is the idea of being with me so repulsive?" Kiba started. Naruto blinked at the question, but Kibs cut in before he could formulate an answer. "Don't answer that."

Kiba's thumbs were starting to draw slow circles on the sensitive skin above his hipbones through his shirt.

"I don't know what you've been thinking lately and though I can guess as to some of it I just want you to know my side of this before you…" Kiba trailed off, pulling his head off Naruto's shoulder.

"God am I bad at this." Naruto didn't even know is he should reply to that one.

Kiba's nose was suddenly in his hair and somehow that just made this more intimate. "You smell nice. Sorry," he added. "I think… I think you think this is a joke… or a prank or bet. Something like that. It' not and… look. When we get home you can ask Hinata, you know she could never lie to you. This is real, Naruto, I genuinely like you and want to be with you."

Oh. Oh.

"I'm sorry if the fact that I'm a guy disgusts you or turns you off or anything," he continued. "I don't want to make you feel awkward or whatever. I just…"

He felt Kiba shift and the warm air of Kiba's breath now trailed damn-near sensually down his neck and beneath the collar of his shirt.

"I want you, Naruto."

Some part of Naruto wondered if that was the closest thing to a declaration of love he'd ever get.

Most of Naruto was trying not to cry and make himself look stupid or like a girl.

Gaining control of himself he slowly let go of the railing and turned around.

Staring to Kiba's openly concerned face he was brought up by the sudden lack of words at his disposal.

So instead he just smiled and said, "Oh." Before leaning in to reward a man brave enough to suffer rejection with his just reward.