AUTHORS NOTE: A bit of a filler, but I also thought it necessary to explain Shikaku's point of view at some point. Some point being sooner rather than later. So… I embarrassed them a little *wicked grin*

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A father's point of view

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Thursday, eleven AM, Shikamaru's bedroom,

There had indeed been time for more making out, since that was way more fun than trying to come up with ways to tell their teammates about their new relationship. About an hour ago, Shikaku had popped his head in, telling them they were off duty for two weeks, together with the rest of their former classmates and Gai's team as well. Apparently, business wasn't exactly booming at the moment.

The man had neglected to knock, however, leaving the three half naked boys flustered. Even though he'd apologized, it did nothing to ease the embarrassment the three lovers felt.

"Really, I'm sorry, okay. I still have to get used to all of this, too..."

"Dad, that's no excuse for not knocking!" Shikamaru tried to pull his shirt back on, hindered by the fact that Shino was hiding behind him, practically clinging to him.

Choji, sitting on the bed, stared down at the floor, "Shikaku, it's really a big deal for us… could you please at least try? I…" his voice trailed off.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to barge in here. I guess I'm just used to you guys hanging out fully dressed…" he looked uneasy, but still determined to talk this out. Even though it was clear all three of them would rather see him leave.

"Do you have a problem with it, Shikaku?" Shino finally moved from behind his lover, being the first to look the elder in the eyes.

"No, Shino, I don't. I don't have a problem with your relationship, and I realize a little fooling around comes with the territory, but… that doesn't mean I expected to walk in on it."

"Then what did you expect?" the Aburame asked pointedly, making the man by the door look away in obvious discomfort.

"I didn't think about it, I suppose. That was my mistake. It's wrong to keep thinking of you as children, but as a father it's difficult not to," Shikaku looked up again, "I want you to be able to feel safe, and I'm not condemning any of this. Even if I would personally prefer you'd refrain yourselves from having sex. I know that's not going to happen though, so I'll say this: You have nothing to fear in this house. I cannot give these activities my blessing, but I'll accept it. So long as you conduct yourself properly outside this room."

"Properly?" Shikamaru sounded like he didn't know if he should laugh or get angry.

"Yes son, properly. Keeping your clothes on is a big part of that," he glared at the two shirts on the floor, "However, that does not mean you're not allowed to get close to each other, or kiss each other for that matter. Just show some proper manners when around others. And yes," he said with a slight chuckle, "I do realize that's asking a lot."

"Dad!" the younger Nara flustered, trying to push his father out of the room, "Go away…"

"I was just teasing a little," Shikaku laughed, "I do remember being your age, you know… Hormones flooding your body, can't even wake up without –"

"Dad! Shut up!" the boy had turned bright red at this point, though he no longer tried to force his father out: It wouldn't work anyway.

"Shikaku…" Choji spoke very softly, making the others fall quiet just to be able to hear him, "Please don't say stuff like that… it's… embarrassing…"

The man straightened himself, walking over to the boy on the bed before dropping to one knee so he could look him in the eyes. His voice was kind as he spoke, "It shouldn't be. I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable, Choji. But you should know that unless you learn to speak more freely, this is going to be very hard on you," he looked up at the other two, "On all of you," patting the Akimichi on his knee, he stood up again, "If there is anything you need, just ask. I know that it might be… awkward sometimes, but I'd rather be able to help you out then realize I should have helped you out. So… anything you need, okay boys?" he didn't receive much of a response, but that didn't seem to faze the jounin, "I'll leave you alone, then," and so he had left the room.

After Shikaku's intrusion, it had taken some time to get back into their groove, as they'd all felt ashamed to have been caught by the older man. But after a while, the need to touch each other had overcome the humiliation, and the little encounter was all but forgotten.

"Oh, that feels good!" Choji didn't even know which of his boyfriends was responsible for the lips on his neck, but it didn't matter. His eyes were closed in ecstasy, as the lips on his pulse were increasing their efforts.

"So that's what it takes to get Choji going, huh?" Shikamaru chuckled, "Shino, that's a handy trick you got there…" the other didn't respond, too busy pleasuring the writhing boy beneath him. He'd realized at some point Shikamaru had leaned back to enjoy the show, and was quickly figuring out that's what it took to get Shikamaru going. It was fun, learning what buttons to push on either of them, and Shino intended to learn all about it.

He let his hands roam around Choji's body, taking care not to let them wander too far south, the memory of Shikaku suddenly appearing in the doorway fresh on his mind. Eventually, Choji pushed him away, "Stop, no more," the Akimichi was panting, trying to catch his breath in an effort to form a full sentence, "I can't take it if it's not… I can't… Shikaku…" he whispered the name that had been weighing on all their minds, the reason they'd been trying to keep the noise down as best they could.

"Dad's probably left already…" it sounded more like he was trying to convince himself rather than his boyfriends, "I mean, he's got a busy job and all…" Shikamaru cringed as his words were proven false by a sudden burst of laughter emanating from the living room.

"It would seem he has not left," Shino whispered, "And I believe I would rather not have to face the man like that again…"

"I'm sure he's not gonna just come in again, Shino… Shikaku's a pretty decent guy."

"Most of the time… not so much when he's talking about hormones again… Good Lord, did you know he tried to have that talk with me over breakfast? After… catching me, like, in the act…Seriously, so troublesome…" Shikamaru let himself drop down on the bed, folding his hands under his head, "And that bullshit about forgetting to knock… He pulls that crap a lot, though… maybe that'll stop now," there was a little satisfaction in his voice, it provided some insight in just how often the boy whished his father would be a little less embarrassing.

"Shikamaru," Shino moved to create a little distance between himself and Choji, allowing the other to gather himself, "Do you believe him?"

"Believe what? That he's an annoying, overbearing dad that should choose his words a lot more carefully? Yeah, definitely."

"You don't mean that," Choji, always the peacemaker, tried to diffuse the situation.

"That is not what I meant, however, I do see your point…" Shino paused for a moment, pondering the best way to rephrase his question.

The Nara sighed at him, "Just come out and say it, Shino. We shouldn't be embarrassed to talk to each other, at least."

"Correct. What I was trying to say was, do you believe him when he says he has no issues with our relationship?"

"He didn't actually say that," Shikamaru pointed out, "He said he'd accept it. But yeah… I'm pretty sure he'll come around. And I've never known the guy to flat-out lie to me, so…"

"Which logically means that inside this room, we are free to do as we please with each other…" Shino sounded thoughtful, playing with a fold in Choji's pants.

A cheeky smile appeared on Shikamaru's face, "Your point?" Shino gave no verbal reply, instead leaning over to kiss the boy on the lips, his fingers trying to work the zipper on his pants, "Shino… I know you're horny and all, I am too, but…" the Nara let his voice drop, whispering, "He's right there…"

"And your mother was about as close the first time we did this," he did not relinquish the zipper, even though it had proved impossible to get it open while Shikamaru was still sitting up.

"Uh, guys? Remember how that little detail came back to bite us in the ass?" The Akimichi sounded nervous, moving to sit up as well.

"It also meant that Shikaku felt the need to talk to us," Shino let go of the zipper, knowing this conversation was more important right now, "Which in turn led to all of us acknowledging this relationship and eventually, approval. Not that I particularly need anyone's approval apart from yours, but it is still a relief to me, knowing we can be together here, at least. I do not know if my own parents would be so easily won over…"

The young Nara dipped his head, all but whispering, "That doesn't mean I feel comfortable fucking you with him right across the hall, though…" he leaned over a little, softly kissing Shino on the lips, "I mean… he's bound to know…"

The Aburame smiled, recapturing his lips in a long, languid kiss. His hands found Shikamaru's nipples, tugging them softly as they both moaned in the kiss. When they eventually broke apart again, the Nara was panting, licking his lips. Shino gave him a little peck on the tip if his nose before calmly stating, "He already knows, though. He knows we've had sex before and he has accepted the fact that we will again. And if you're afraid to get reprimanded for that –"

"Not reprimanded," Shikamaru cut in, "Pestered about it is more like it."

"Even so, that just means you have to practice being quiet," the Aburame had a wicked grin on his face as he climbed atop his boyfriend, finally pulling that blasted zipper down.