The first week living with Neji Hyūga was very much the same as being on the field in their small tent. They seldom interacted since Neji was usually away on missions and would probably remain such until Konoha made a full recovery from the war. Even then, Neji commented that with such an enormous loss of ninjas he would most likely stay tied up for years. Shikamaru had been restricted from duty as expected while his broken leg healed. One might think that for the lazy spirited Nara this was exactly what the doctor ordered— unlimited naps, ample time to cloud gaze, games of shōgi, idle television.
Shikamaru absolutely hated it, and what he hated more was that he hated it. Logically, he knew he ought to be enjoying himself. Once he got back on the field, he'd be busting his ass every day for years just like Neji, but he was bored out of his mind. At least he had a pleasant place to be bored. The apartment was a good size including two bedrooms and one shared bathroom. The living room, dining area, and kitchen were an open floor plan with a breakfast nook and partial wall to separate the kitchen. They also had a decent sized balcony where Shikamaru enjoyed sitting just to change things up now and then.
It was a humble, cozy, comfortable apartment. Nothing like the penthouse Chōji and Ino insisted the Hyūga would live in when he'd told them about the arrangement. Shikamaru found it strange that people still viewed Neji to be spoiled and pampered just because he carried himself proudly. Everything about his upbringing revealed him to be a family servant waiting on the main house hand and foot. Anything Neji had in life he'd earned on his own, he was not born with a silver spoon in his mouth. Despite Neji generously providing Shikamaru with his own bedroom, the shadow manipulator spent most of his time in the living room. It was central to the bathroom and kitchen— the less hobbling around he had to do the better.
Additionally, it gave him the opportunity to speak with Neji on occasion when they crossed paths. The Hyūga's routine stayed consistent. He took a shower minutes after walking in the door then sat in the living room to chat with Shikamaru while he combed the knots from his thick mane. Next, he would prepare something to eat and disappear into this room to start reports. The door was usually left slightly ajar which Shikamaru found oddly comforting. It was like they were still in the same room. Shikamaru did not consider himself someone dependent on the company of others, but Neji was agreeable, intelligent and unexpectedly funny so he didn't mind being near the elder.
Like now for instance.
"You know," Neji mused, drawing Shikamaru from his concentration. "I haven't won a single game since we've come home."
"Maybe you just had beginner's luck," Shikamaru suggested as he moved a piece into place.
"Beginner? I've been playing for years!" Neji scoffed.
"Ah…" Shikamaru rubbed the back of his neck. "I guess I've just gotten better having all this time to practice."
Neji clicked his tongue. "Don't be modest, Shikamaru. You've always been phenomenal. I got lucky because your mind was compromised."
Shikamaru smiled but said nothing. Hyūga had a lot of nerve accusing anyone of being too modest with all the attention he'd been receiving for coming home a hero, all of which he dismissed politely by insisting it was his duty. They had more in common than Shikamaru initially anticipated. At least with those similarities came mutual respect and unspoken understanding- Neji would not continue to praise him for his shōgi skills or pressure him into playing professionally nor would Shikamaru insist the older male relish in the glory of heroics. Neji Hyūga was the opposite of troublesome.
"How's your neck?" Shikamaru wondered aloud.
Their eyes met. "My neck?"
It dawned on Shikamaru that his pastime of analyzing Neji while he worked might seem less than ordinary, unexpected to say the least. Too late to retract now since he'd made it obvious he had noticed Neji's neck pain somehow. He shrugged casually.
"When you're at your desk you rub it a lot. You didn't do that in the tent; you must have hurt yourself recently." Shikamaru explained.
Neji seemed genuinely surprised, but his expression was relaxed as he replied, "When we came back home the first mission I was sent on consisted of all rookies. One of them got spooked while undercover and blew her position." He paused for a moment to evaluate the shōgi board. "It was foolish on my part, but I made a split decision that put me between her and a kunai. My neck hasn't been the same since."
"Have you thought about having it looked at?" Shikamaru recommended.
Without missing a beat, Neji countered, "Have you considered getting your back examined?"
Shikamaru's eyes swelled as he stared at Neji. Apparently, he was not the only one making observations. It shouldn't have surprised him. Two geniuses were bound to arrive at the same habits eventually.
"You never lean on it. I see you holding the small of your back a lot. It shouldn't still be hurting." Neji's voice was strangely soothing.
"I'm not a fan of medics." Shikamaru defended half-heartedly.
Neji smiled. "I've noticed."
Continuing to put off seeking medical guidance would probably delay Shikamaru's return to the field even longer, he knew that, and it wasn't what he wanted. He had no qualms with getting his injuries tended to. Going to the hospital was just troublesome. The way Shikamaru saw it right now, there were far too many ninjas with injuries worse than his own who needed immediate assistance. He couldn't even begin to fathom taking up a medic's time for just a backache. Alright, so it was more than just a backache since even his shirt irritated his skin. Maybe Neji was onto something.
"I'll go if you go," he spoke at last.
The conversation was so long ago Neji had to backtrack several steps to figure out what Shikamaru meant. His gaze was held by the younger man who despite his less than serious tendencies had nothing but sincerity etched in his features. Neji was not a fool; he thoroughly understood the importance to taking care of his body and health if he wanted to continue carrying on effectively as a ninja. His distaste for visiting the hospital had been the driving force behind teaching himself a bit of medical jutsu. Unfortunately, being intelligent did not automatically mean he could pick up such a talent quickly, and since his allotted practice time was insufficient, Neji only knew the very basics.
Hospitals were too much fuss in Neji's opinion. Besides that, each and every time he had ever been in one, no matter what the reason, some ballsy, curious medical ninja would try to take off the bandages around his forehead. The curse mark no longer embarrassed or upset Neji the way it did when he was younger, but he bore no desire to show it off or talk to strangers about it. The fact of the matter still stood; Neji did not want to go to the hospital, but he did want Shikamaru to get checked. He had an inkling that Shikamaru mirrored his sentiments. A small sacrifice for the bigger picture, he supposed.
"Alright." Neji agreed. "It's a deal."
