#37)
Requested by: avila7989
Characters: Naruto and Shikamaru
Situation: Naruto and Shikamaru are cloud-gazing when they confess their affection for one another.
Pairings: ShikaNaru

Disclaimer: K. Masashi's bishies.
Shikamaru watched the clouds go by overhead as he lay down in the grass in the middle of the training grounds. They were moving slowly today, the wind barely blowing across his face. He let out a sigh as he shifted, laying his legs out flat and crossing them at the ankles as he took his hands out from under his head. He was blocking circulation to his fingers.

He heard heavy footfalls from behind him and sighed, hoping it wasn't Ino coming to tell him off, as usual. Instead, someone fell down beside him with a long sigh. "I love doing this."

Shikamaru turned his head, stunned, but not allowing his shock to show on his face. "Naruto?"

"Hm?" He turned to look at Shikamaru, then grinned. "How's it going?"

"Why are you here?" the Chuunin grumbled as he looked back up at the sky. "So troublesome."

Actually, the only thing that was troublesome about the whole situation was that Shikamaru didn't know if he'd be able to control himself with the blond so close to him. When he'd first met Naruto, he'd thought the same thing as everybody else: Naruto was an idiot. But, as time went by, and the more they hung out, he realized that there was something about the blond that was just so—appealing.

Maybe it was the way he was always so full of energy, or the way he was so determined and kind. It was impossible to hate him, even if you tried your hardest. That, and admittedly, the boy was gorgeous.

"I'm here, Shikamaru, because the sky looks exceptionally gorgeous today." Naruto grinned, closing his eyes as the sun shone right over their heads. Shikamaru brought one hand up to shield his eyes, waiting for clouds to cover the sun once more so he could put his hand down.

He turned his head to glance at Naruto, only to blush and look away. The blond looked even more radiant in the sunshine, his hair as yellow as the sun itself, while the blue of his eyes made the sky look dull and boring. Shikamaru knew he would never grow tired of looking into Naruto's eyes if given the chance to stare long enough.

But he was too afraid. Too afraid to let the blond know of his feelings. He'd tried telling him once, over a bowl of ramen, but people kept interrupting, so he'd given up.

Then again, the Chuunin sat up and looked around. It was a busy day, and most of their friends were out on missions. If he wanted to be alone with Naruto when he told him this, why not now? The conditions were perfect, after all. It was a gorgeous day, he and Naruto were alone, and they had a small chance of being interrupted.

The genius thought everything over in his head, going over all the different scenarios, and preparing himself for the worst. With a sigh, he lay down on his back again, watching the sky once more now that the sun's harsh rays were hidden behind clouds. Naruto's eyes were still closed as he lay completely still, letting the wind ruffle his hair and jacket.

"Ne, Naruto." The blond turned to him. "You remember a few weeks back when I bought you ramen?"

Naruto shot up, a huge grin on his face. "Are you treating me again?"

The Chuunin couldn't help but chuckle at the blond's eagerness. "Maybe later, but I want to talk, first."

"Oh, okay." Naruto lay back down, a definite pout on his lips. "What's up?"

Shikamaru sighed, knowing this was going to cause more trouble than it was worth. "I invited you out that day because I wanted to talk to you about something. Everyone kept interrupting us, so I figured now would be a good time to continue that conversation, since no one's around. I like you." Nara Shikamaru, as blunt as ever.

"Okay." Naruto said as he stared at the sky. It took ten whole seconds for the words to sink in, and his eyes widened when they finally did. He jerked up into a sitting position, turning to look at the Chuunin with a blush dusting his cheeks. "Wh-what?!"

"I like you."

"You're joking!"

"Why would I joke about something like that?"

Naruto just blinked at him, at a complete loss for words. His mouth opened and closed a few times, but nothing would come out. He didn't understand. How could Shikamaru possibly like him?!

The blond had always admired Shikamaru for both his abilities as a leader, and his genius, and although he wasn't entirely gay, he could admit to having had the occasional fantasy about the pony-tailed Chuunin. He silently wondered what it would be like to be with Shikamaru. The other was as lazy as ever, so most of the energy would have to come from Naruto, but he had tons to spare, anyway.

With a sigh, Shikamaru stood up, dusting off the back of his pants. "Forget I said anything. It was stupid of me to have said that to you."

He was about to walk away when Naruto tugged on his pants. Shikamaru turned, seeing the blond staring at the ground, his face practically as red as a tomato. "Um, when you say you like me, do you mean, um—like like?"

"As in just short of love?" Naruto nodded. "Then yes. I've had my eye on you for a while, I just never really did anything about it." The raven shoved his hands into his pockets as he regarded Naruto with a cool air, even though his heart was beating at an insanely fast pace in his chest.

The blond suddenly stood, his head still bowed as he shuffled closer to Shikamaru. "Um, I've always liked you as a friend, and—well..." he took a deep breath. "If-if you want to try and be—more, can you kiss me first? Just so I know what it's like?"

Shikamaru just about fell over, his shock showing clearly on his face. Naruto wanted him to kiss him?!

Well, what are you waiting for?! a voice in his head hollered, shaking him free of his shock. Kiss him, already! You've been wanting to do this since the Chuunin exam, so hurry up and do it, before he changes his mind!

Shikamaru took that voice's advice, moving forward and caressing one of Naruto's cheeks. The blond leaned into the touch, his eyes closed. Shikamaru felt his heart skip a beat. He pressed his body up against Naruto's, his other hand on the blond's hip. Naruto wrapped his arms shyly around Shikamaru's neck as the raven turned his head to the side slightly and brushed his lips against Naruto's.

He didn't do anything at first other than press lightly, but when Naruto didn't jerk away or show any signs of discomfort, he pressed on, pulling Naruto's bottom lip into his mouth and sucking on it. The blond's breath hitched at this, and Shikamaru refrained from smiling, if only to ensure the blond didn't think he was getting cocky and push him away.

Once he was done nibbling and sucking on the blond's bottom lip, he traced the seam of the other's mouth with his tongue, Naruto hesitantly opening his mouth to the insistent muscle. Shikamaru let his tongue dart into the blond's mouth, exploring it slowly. He tasted like ramen, which would make sense, since Shikamaru didn't recall ever having seen the blond eat anything else.

He ran his tongue slowly against the insides of Naruto's cheeks and the roof of his mouth, being extra careful not to touch the other's tongue. He continued this for a few seconds before finally moving his tongue downward and rubbing it gently against Naruto's, coaxing it to play.

The Kyuubi-vessel was hesitant, if only because he'd never kissed anyone before, but he eventually moved his tongue against Shikamaru's, the two rolling their tongues over each other's. He didn't find the feeling to be unpleasant. In fact, it was causing blood to pool down in the lower parts of his body.

He finally pulled away from Shikamaru, the other retracting his tongue reluctantly. When Naruto opened his eyes, he was staring into a pair of questioning—and almost afraid—brown eyes.

"Well?" Shikamaru breathed, their faces still close enough that Naruto could feel the other's breath on his lips.

"Buy me some ramen, and we can continue this at my place." the blond finally replied, and then grinned. "I hope you realize I'm going to be an expensive boyfriend."

"I knew that from the start, Naruto." Shikamaru smirked. "But that's what makes you cute."

END.