People express love in many different ways. From one person to the next, the things one does, what they say, changes.
Like a secret code or mathematical formula, the language of love is so complex that it has been broken down into five distinct categories: words of affirmation, acts of service, receiving gifts, quality time and physical touch.
Everyone experiences all five but one or two will be a primary mode of expression.
Words of Affirmation
"I love you."
"Hah?"
Out of the two of them, he was definitely the more vocal about feelings. Neither really needed to hear any affirmation of love, they never doubted the other. However, Shikamaru got a huge thrill out of Temari's reaction every time he said it. The first time, they have both been incredibly embarrassed. Over time, he became comfortable with such words but Temari never did. She blushed from head to toe and became even more flustered if they were around other people. Every time, without fail, she would blush and mumble out some indecipherable reply. Even though they had been dating for a year, Temari still reacted as if it were her first time hearing those words.
"W-What? Don't be so loud!"
He was speaking at a perfectly normal volume and she knew it. They were out with friends for dinner. Almost everyone here was paired off with someone else and their exchange definitely wasn't the most interesting thing happening as Lee had challenged Chouji to an eating contest. Despite this, her head still quickly turned from side to side to make sure no one had heard.
"Hmm, you want me to say it louder?"
"NO!"
The whole group turned to face them at her outburst. Shikamaru laughed as Temari's face flushed even more. The death grip she had on his arm was a small price to pay for her expression. People lost interest soon and he continued to egg her on.
"Eh, you're not going to say it back? Do you not love me? If I ask you nicely will you say it?"
He leaned further in with each word. Even if she didn't say those three words too often, he knew that she did. If they were alone, she might have said it.
"Why are you being so annoying?"
"Because I lo-," before he could finish, she had slapped her hand over his mouth.
Temari could feel his smirk from underneath her palm. Just because she was too embarrassed to declare her feelings aloud didn't mean that she was opposed to hearing his.
"I love you," her voice was the quietest it had ever been and she spoke to the ground but he heard.
Acts of Service
When Shikamaru got back from work, he was completely exhausted. Despite him and Naruto working constantly, the pile of papers never seemed to deplete. In fact, maybe it was just his imagination, but it seemed to be growing. And he still had to set an itinerary for the upcoming clan meeting. With a sigh, he clutched his head. What a drag! Who knew that being a responsible adult would involve this much work?
All he wanted was to collapse into bed but he steeled himself to tackle more paper work. His work space was a disaster but he knew exactly where he had left everything. Or he would have if everything was still where he had left it.
"Temari," he called out.
Nothing looked the same in here. Papers were stacked in neat piles. Binders were in shelves and color coordinated.
"Yeah?" she called out from somewhere in the house.
"Where's all my stuff for the clan meeting?"
He appreciated the sentiment that came with tidying up the space but right now it was only fueling his headache.
"It's on the table, the stack with the blue note on it."
His eyes quickly scanned his desk and found it without trouble. But when he began to look at the papers he realized that something was off. Everything was filled out, the itinerary set. The writing was much more legible than his own and he easily recognized it as hers. Putting everything back, he went out to find her.
She was already lying in their bed reading a book. Temari wasn't known for being overly affectionate with her words but actions spoke volumes to him. She respected a good work ethic to call him out on his increasing hours. But he knew she was getting a little worried. It meant a lot to him that she would take the time to make his life easier.
He all but threw himself onto the bed. His sore muscles instantly relaxed. She lightly snorted at his childish display.
"Thank you."
Receiving Gifts
Neither of them is very materialistic. He doesn't see the point in anything that doesn't have a practical use. And everything he needs he already owns. She is no stranger to luxury, being born to a family with high standing. However, no extravagance had been spared on her until her later years. So, she often got by on the bare minimum. He kept clothes until they had holes in them. She was content to use the same pair of shoes until they were completely worn.
Gifts were meant for birthdays or very special events. Even then, their types of gifts weren't material things, they were often trips. So when either of them surprised the other with some type of meaningless luxury, usually small, it was a treat and not so much about the gift itself but the thought which went behind it. They were usually trinkets that reminded them about the other.
Quality Time
Others had a hard time deciphering their relationship. It wasn't difficult to see that they suited each other. But, despite their obvious chemistry, they didn't act like normal couples did. Well, they didn't act like couples their age. Instead of walking through the village hand in hand, it wasn't unusual for them to simply stay in and play shogi or to sit in a field; he would cloud watch and she would read.
Both were content to simply be together in their spare time. After a very short while dating, they had already begun to look and act like an old married couple. Their relationship didn't have to be a show for everyone to see, no need to dramatise something so private.
Most likely, their approach to spending time together was affected by the distance in between them. Time was something to be treasured.
With three whole days of travel separating them, no moment was ever wasted.
Neither thought it selfish that those times should be just the two of them.
Physical Touch
Shikamaru and Temari, the obvious couple that everyone was able to see before the two in question realized it.
Shikamaru and Temari, friends turned lovers.
Everyone was amazed by how well they got along, didn't understand how they enjoyed just talking to each other and about work no less. Though all those things were true, there was a completely different side to their relationship which no one else saw.
Despite her brazen personality and his confidence when it came to strategizing, they were reserved about publically displaying their relationship. From what they decided to show, it would be easy for people to mistake them for two good friends with chemistry.
No one had ever seen the couple who reunited after weeks of not seeing each other. Nobody would ever witness how they curled up next to each other for hours, reluctant to be even a step apart after so long.
They were very different with each other when it was just the two of them. It wasn't all talk about work and games of shogi. It took more than conversation to make a baby after all.