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Previously on Friendzones...
Shikamaru nodded slowly. "Ye~ah a lot of people… went crazy that way. Yeah, no, we need to get you laid," he said.
Kiba raised his eyebrows. "Laid?" he asked and glanced at Shino. Did the other want to do that? Kiba didn't have a reason to be jealous, but he was. He didn't want Shino sleeping around with some other guy. He wanted to be that other guy. The realisation made him drop a dumbbell that rolled off to Chouji's toe.
"Hey!" Chouji exclaimed and tried to lift the dumbbell, but failed. "This is heavy," he complained and took a seat on the sit up bench after moving Shikamaru's legs over his lap.
"Oh sorry, Chouji," Kiba said and easily lifted the weight and set it up on the proper slot. He was still wanting to hear Shino's answer. Did the other want to sleep with a new guy now that he was home?
Shino couldn't help but glance at Kiba and then back down when Shikamaru told him he needed to get laid. No, him and Kiba weren't possible. Maybe he should search elsewhere. Although he doubted he'd find anyone that would treat him like, well, like Kiba did. "Well…, if my sexual appetite is anything to go by… I guess I will need to find somebody soon and I have always wondered what it's like with a real person," he said with a shrug.
"That's the spirit- wait, what?" Shikamaru paused. "You're not doing animals or dead people are you?" he asked cautiously.
Shino shook his head. "No, just toys," he answered unabashedly.
"Wow," Shikamaru muttered to himself. He forgot how easy it was to get details out of Shino. "So what are you into? What does it for you? Any kinks? Fetishes? Must-have positions, locations, let us know. Everything's on the table, including on the table," he told him.
Shino shifted. "I don't really know. I guess I like tattoos," he said as he thought about it.
"Interesting," Shikamaru said his eyes drifting towards Kiba.
"I like… muscles," Shino listed another detail, the list coming easier the more he thought about it.
"Who doesn't?" Shikamaru shrugged. "What about hair color? You like blondes, brunettes, redheads, alternative?"
Kiba smiled a little and tried to look aloof, but failed. "You should get me laid," he said to Shikamaru. "I haven't gotten some in so long I should be a born again virgin," he said and helped Chouji onto the mat to help him stretch again.
Chouji snorted. "Kiba... Maybe you should lose it AGAIN with another virgin," he suggested, as he was so obviously supposed to do.
Kiba ignored Cho. "What else do you like, Shino?" he asked him.
"No redheads," Shino said though it was mostly because of the man who was causing so much trouble for Kiba. "I like if they're big," he realized now.
Shikamaru looked up at this. "Like taller?" he asked, although he knew that wasn't the case.
"No, like if their penis is 7 plus inches," Shino told him completely stone faced. "I don't have much experience with positions or fetishes," he said.
Kiba finished with Chouji and checked his watch. "That's really specific," he said and knew he was a candidate. He wondered if Shino knew that too.
Chouji wiped the sweat from his face and nodded. "Sounds like Kiba," he said.
Shino shifted. "I think it sounds like a lot of people," he defended quietly.
"Character traits?" Shikamaru asked.
"Kind," Shino answered easily. "Not judgemental, thoughtful, helpful, selfless, brave, patient-"
"You came up with that list very quick," Shikamaru said. It still sounded exactly like Kiba.
Kiba stretched until he heard his bones popping. "Shikamaru's session is about to begin," he shared. "This means we go to the juice bar and try to fix him with a 'food-first' approach," he said and helped pull Shikamaru up to stand.
"Ah man," Shikamaru grumbled as he was helped up. "I just got comfortable," he muttered. He walked with Kiba to the juice bar and left Shino with Chouji, hoping the chip loving friend wouldn't let him down. "He wants you," he told Kiba as they sat down. "What are you gonna do about it? Do we leave so you two can go back in that office and do more than blow each other?" he asked.
"If... you had a guy like that, what would be your perfect date?" Chouji asked.
Shino smiled as he thought about it. "We would sit on the couch, order little sandwiches from the Deli, talk, and play games," Shino said simply.
Chouji hummed thoughtfully. "What about Kiba? Have you thought of doing that with him?" he asked. He wasn't usually up for meddling, but Shikamaru was counting on him, and so was Naruto. He'd given them a clear mission and he didn't fail his friends.
Shino looked down sadly. "Maybe in another universe. He's straight and just went through a divorce. He's worried about his daughter," he recited Kiba's reasons. "He has a lot going on and is confused. I don't want to take advantage," he explained.
Chouji patted Shino's shoulders lightly. "You really do care about him. He's lucky to have a friend like you. Shino... you don't know how it's been since he married Ino. He needs you, or no pressure, just somebody like you. I'd say you though. He looks at you the way you look at him," he said.
Shino looked Kiba's way. "I'll be there for him regardless. I just want him to be happy. He deserves it. You know Kiba. He's that friend, the one you can be yourself around and he just laughs and goes with it. He's the friend that if, God forbid, you get into trouble he'll help you clean up the mess and come up with a cover story," he said laughing as Kiba had done this plenty of times. "He's there for you…, but he's also… untouchable. He deserves everybody, but no one deserves him. You know what I mean?" Shino said.
"Not at all, but as long as you do," Chouji said. "I'm going to help Shikamaru plan that post-party party, so ... I'm not the best at dating advice, but I'd bet a little topless action goes a long way for guys too," Chouji offered and started walking slowly towards the other two.
Shino tilted his head. "Topless," he muttered and looked down. Kiba did say he looked nice, but he was pretty sure one shirtless guy couldn't turn a straight man gay.
Kiba was still picking Shikamaru's ingredients. He looked up and shook his head when Shikamaru suggested they blow each other again. "We didn't... do that..., but maybe... I'm not gay," he whispered. He wasn't completely gay at the very least. "I also... I don't think I'm ready yet, but at the same time... I don't want him with anybody else, but still not gay," Kiba said and submitted the drink order.
"He's had a glow up," Shikamaru told him. "He's a scientist who owns his own company. He's tall, honest, good looking, and he is sooo ready," he listed as he faced Kiba. "You want the statistics on how many people are looking for someone like that? He's going to find someone someday soon, Kiba. You missed out on him once already because you stuck it in Ino. Do you want to miss out again?"
"He never needed the glow up," Kiba said defensively. "He's always been… umm, well, perfect," Kiba finished and ran his fingers through his hair fixing it just the way Shino had. "Shikamaru…, do you really think he wants me?" he asked. "I mean it sounds like he'd give me a chance, but ... my life is a mess right now," he said.
"He literally just spelled it out in front of you," Shikamaru said dryly, "and I didn't hear, 'has his shit together', as one of his requirements," he pointed out. "I know you have a lot going on… and it's fucked up. It's some heavy shit you shouldn't have to go through, but you are. Shino's right here anyway. He is supporting you. He does understand you. I mean, maybe you're not gay. Maybe you're demisexual. You're only sexually attracted to someone you're in love with or have a strong bond with," he explained when Kiba looked at him weird.
"Okay. There's a reason that Shino came back when he did," Kiba said and looked back at Shino. Their eyes met and he waved at him. "I'm gonna have to cut your training short today," he said to Shikamaru.
"Done, already out the door," Shikamaru hopped up and then grimaced as his 'meal' arrived. "I don't have to actually eat that, do I?" he asked.
"Yes, you do," Kiba said and stood as Chouji and Shino approached.
Cho winked at Shikamaru. "We're all set. Let's go shower and change after you eat that green thing," he said. "Shino, it was nice seeing you again. We'll catch you at the Gala," he said.
"Ew," Shikamaru whispered to himself again. "I'll drink it if you make a move," he muttered under his breath so only Kiba would hear it. "Yep, all set. Let's go look for some afterparty party clothes. Later Shino, Kiba," he said sipping the smoothie and gagging out the door.
Chouji walked out with Shikamaru and pulled out a new bag of chips from his gym bag. "Shino is interested, but he's respecting Kiba's situation. Naruto said he knows they are just moments away, so his afterparty is just for this mission," Chouji said as he read off the text message he'd gotten as a reply. "I think we did good," he said.
Shikamaru nodded. "Kiba is interested, but doesn't think Shino is interested and feels guilty about wanting another relationship so soon. I think he's ready to make a move though," Shikamaru told him. "Wonder Twin Powers, Activate!" he said and fist bumped Choji.
Chouji fist bumped Shikamaru and chuckled. "Who knew those two would end up interested in each other?" he said as it was pretty far-fetched in his opinion. "I always thought Kiba was the straightest of us all," he said as they got into Shikamaru's car. Somehow even in Shika's car Chouji always ended up driving.
Shikamaru put his seat back as far as he could and propped his feet up on the dashboard. "I never really saw the point of labels. If you like someone, you like them," he said matter-of-factly.
"Maybe you're right," Chouji said and parked outside of Naruto and Sasuke's home. "I hope he's wearing clothes this time."
"If past experiences are anything to go by…, no chance in hell," Shikamaru told them as they headed in.
Kiba had ordered a smoothie for Shino too. His would be much more pleasant than Shika's. He held it out for Shino and knew he didn't have to explain the green fading to black smoothie.
Shino smiled as he took his smoothie. "It matches my eyes," he noticed as he took it from him. "So my turn?" he asked him as he hummed and sipped it. It wasn't so bad. There was kiwi in it, which seemed to undercut a lot of the other 'natural' flavors.
"It does. It's a spinach and kiwi smoothie with some extra good stuff. Let's get your workout done at home. I have weights and bands in one of the boxes," Kiba said.
Shino nodded. "Okay, you're the personal trainer," he said dutifully. "If I can look like you one day, I'll do whatever you say," he told him with a smile.
Kiba grinned happy at the compliment. "I think you look good already. It's all about upkeep with your body type," he said and looked over Shino's skintight top. "You always looked good though. I never understood why you were picked on," he said and paused at his office to grab his keys and his dirty clothes. "Maybe they were jealous. The girls always liked you... You were so mysterious and quiet. Girls like that. The jacket. The glasses. It gave them tons to dream up," he said and chuckled.
He'd been lucky enough to see plenty and all of Shino throughout their friendship, so there was no true mystery, which meant that he knew everything about Shino, inside and out. The one thing he hadn't ever found out about was his sexuality, but he was still figuring out his own, so nobody could blame him for that.
Shino shook his head with a smile. "They weren't jealous… bugs. It was the bugs," he told him. "I used to carry bugs in my pockets. They got loose a few times and the school had to be tented," he recalled as he got into the truck.
Kiba laughed as he drove them. "That was the best prank. Got you major points with us all. I still think some were just jealous of you. You had good grades, good looks... bugs aside, you're perfect. Maybe because of the bugs actually. They made you more focused and dedicated. All good things," Kiba listed and felt happy talking about Shino. He felt he could do that all day.
Shino smiled and shrugged. "I guess I had an advantage. I knew what I wanted to do since I could talk. We have that in common. People say it's just because it's a family business, but it's not… it's just a passion we happen to share with our families," he said. "Bugs and dogs, together we can cure all the flea infested strays in the world," he said and chuckled.
Kiba chuckled and nudged Shino's side as they parked at his mother's house. "Together... against the world," he said and reached out to remove Shino's glasses. "You can borrow these until we get you back home…, but I think we're alone here," he said and folded the glasses before giving them to Shino.
Shino smiled and nodded. "Okay," he said. He'd finished his smoothie at this point. It was good, but he sort of regretted washing away the taste of Kiba from his mouth. He wanted to ask what it meant, but knowing Kiba, he probably wanted to pretend it never happened.
He thought of this as he followed Kiba into the house.
Neji was starving. He hadn't eaten all day. He'd been busy with proofing those beginner contracts that Hiashi was e-mailing him to test him with, and with his first five classes in the morning. He was in the library now for the brief hour to do homework his actual professors assigned him before he returned to his sixth class of the day. Neji rubbed at his neck as he tried to prevent his stomach from growling. He tried to focus on his paper when he felt someone sit down next to him who smelled amazing… like pizza.
He was about to groan at the smell when someone pushed a large pile of books towards him. He looked over to see Gaara, who nudged the books once again with a finger to his lips. He looked down as Gaara opened up the secret box that looked like a pile of books with four square slices of pizza inside.
Neji couldn't help but laugh, covering his own mouth at the sound of it.
He was supposed to hate this person, supposed to be driven to overpowering him for the rest of his life, but he didn't think about that now. He smiled tiredly up at Gaara, who was smiling back with even darker circles around his eyes, and helped himself to a slice.
Gaara took a small slice and touched it to Neji's in a toast before he ate his. He had the best ideas. Gaara didn't speak. He simply shared looks with Neji and soon enough they finished the pizza and it was time to split up again.
Gaara reached into his pocket and placed a small paper with "Gaara's Pizza Delivery Service" and his number on the table. He took his box and left, fighting himself to not look back.
Neji looked at the number and smiled as he stared after the other. He texted him before he was even fully out the door. 'Do you do cheese sticks too?'
Gaara checked his phone as soon as it rang and chuckled as he replied, 'and wings.'
Neji laughed. 'Sounds good. I'll be in touch,' he told him as he headed to class.
Gaara didn't reply. He simply stared at the text message and laughed to himself.
"So what's first?" Shino asked as Kiba unboxed a few weights, bands, and yoga mats. "Geez," he muttered as he saw how easily Kiba lifted the weights.
Kiba unrolled a yoga mat for Shino and patted it. "First we stretch a little," he said. "It's not a good idea to do anything too strenuous without warming up, but we can do some light stretching before a little cardio," Kiba said and was happy to be able to teach Shino something. In the past he always felt like Shino was the expert on everything, but now he could at least teach Shino a thing or two. "Just sit down here and I'll help you," he said and kneeled at the end of the mat.
"Okay," Shino said and sat down on the mat. Sitting back, and waiting for instruction dutifully as Kiba kneeled over him.
Kiba reached for the back of Shino's knee and slowly pushed as he leaned against Shino. He swallowed hard as he pressed and waited a few seconds before releasing Shino and doing it again. "Th-this is for your um hammies and umm the...," he trailed off and sat back to switch to Shino's other leg. "You're pretty limber. I thought you'd be a lot tighter," he said.
Shino grunted slightly as his left leg was draped over Kiba's shoulder as the other pressed his body weight to the back of his thigh. "Probably for anyone else, but I'm a lot more comfortable with you," Shino told him. He met Kiba's eyes and he swore it matched the looks his dating game would show him before Matthew would ask for a kiss. But this was just a workout… right?
"Am I doing it right?" he asked.
Kiba nodded and let Shino's leg slide off of his shoulder and to the side. Kiba was left between Shino's knees. He leaned forward and didn't know what he was doing only that it felt right and he needed to do it. Kiba leaned forward until his hips were touching Shino's. He pressed his chest to Shino's and slid down slowly as his mind alerted him to the mistake he was about to commit. He pressed his forehead onto Shino's chest and closed his eyes. He had no way to explain what he'd just done and nothing he could say to make it better. He felt Shino's sides and kept his hands there.
Shino was so confused. He was pretty sure he knew what was happening, but he also knew what Kiba had said and he hadn't said anything to indicate he wanted this. A warmth was pooling between his legs as Kiba rubbed against him and he couldn't hide it or move away as Kiba kept him pinned there by his hips.
"Kiba," Shino finally said, raising himself on his elbows. "I really need you to explain things to me," he told him, really wishing he understood these kinds of things better.
Kiba pulled back and sat on his feet, kneeling as before. "I know," he said. He'd always played that role as Shino's best friend. He'd explained anything that Shino didn't understand. "That video... the top secret one... maybe you should watch it," he said and stood up. He left Shino for a second and he returned with the DVD. "Watch it... and then we can talk," Kiba said and handed the DVD over.
It was nearly another week before Gaara decided to reach out to Neji again. It was the weekend and he needed to see him again. 'Hungry?' he texted and waited.
Neji had finished the work he'd been assigned over the weekend and thought he'd have a free weekend, but Hiashi had sent him even more contracts since he 'had time'. He sighed as he took a break to play a mind numbing game on his phone and noticed the message from Gaara.
He smiled at the simple question. 'Starving. Cheese sticks and wings?' he asked him and sent him his room number. He had his own dorm room so they wouldn't disturb anyone.
Gaara didn't need to be told twice. He ordered the food to be delivered to the dorm room Neji had sent. He took his backpack with him and walked out of his dorm room. He locked it behind him and walked a few doors down from him. All the single user dorms were on the same hallway. He called it a perk. He arrived to the dorm room and knocked twice.
Neji answered the door shirtless with just his white satin pajama pants. "Hey, come in," he said as if they hadn't been raised to hate each other most of their lives. "Just getting some work done," he explained.
Gaara looked over Neji as discreetly as he could. "Thank you," he said and walked into the room. He set his bag down and unzipped his hoodie. He was barefoot and in his pajama bottoms. They were a deep red with black stripes of soft flannel. "This looks exactly like my room, but mirrored," he said and took a seat on Neji's bed without asking. "The food is on its way," he added.
"Cool," Neji said as he sat at his desk. "Drink?" he offered as he opened his mini fridge which had a fair selection. "Water, Gatorade, soda, Diet Yoo-Hoo, very rare," he pointed out.
"I think I can handle a full fat, full cal Yoo-Hoo, if you've got it," Gaara said as he raised his t-shirt slightly to show off his abs.
Neji chuckled, took out one of the diet Yoo-Hoos and took off the false label that was over a regular Yoo-hoo and tossed it to Gaara. "I was inspired by your pizza book box," he explained. "How did you come up with that anyway?" he asked.
Gaara laughed and took the YooHoo. "Thanks. I have been trying to sneak in food to the library for days. It just took some pizza box dimensions and a printer," he said and opened his drink. "I haven't seen you in any of my classes. What are you taking?" he asked and took his time looking over Neji. He couldn't care less about the classes. His teenage mind was spinning ideas upon ideas now that he could see his flat stomach and pink little nipples. Gaara was so lost in his staring and thoughts that he wasn't sure if Neji had answered him.
"An easier question would be what am I not taking," Neji said bitterly. "Most of my business classes I take at night though," he said as he watched Gaara nod. He wasn't listening. That was clear. He smiled. "So now I do escort services on the side, let people spank me, things like that," he continued.
Gaara nodded again. "That sounds great," he said and tried hard to focus his eyes on Neji's face, but Neji's eyes were possibly more distracting than his abs. "I'm sorry... I actually didn't hear a word you said," he confessed when Neji's smile told him he knew that already. "I think you're... hot," Gaara said and chuckled. "This confirms it," he said as he looked over Neji's outfit and how low he wore his pajamas.
"I am," Neji agreed as he rested his head on his arms. "And thank you," he told him. He looked Gaara over. "You don't look so bad yourself. Does the carpet match the drapes?" he asked him.
Gaara looked down at himself and up at Neji. "Sorry, I've only got hardwood floors," he replied and counted himself lucky to know Neji was flirting back. He'd have to shove Sasuke's face in it later. He was wrong and Gaara was so, so, so right. "You're free to have a look whenever you want. To confirm, of course," Gaara added.
"Ah, a gentleman down south," Neji said nodding. "If I weren't straight, I'd definitely be tempted to take you up on that offer," he told him.
Gaara's mouth nearly fell open. "Straight? I don't know about that," he said and smiled. "Well, since I already paid for lunch, and now dinner, so actually that's two dates, we're really dating now. That doesn't sound like something a straight guy would do," he countered and hoped for even an inkling of curiosity from Neji.
Neji laughed. "That'd be a good point if I knew beforehand that they were dates, but I guess you do make a point that I do owe you for your paying for the meals," he said and thought about it. "Tell you what, why don't we actually do something next weekend, off campus," he offered.
"Oh! Asking me on a third date already. This sounds promising. How could I refuse?" Gaara said and the door knock came just in time. He stood and answered it. It was their food. He took the pizza box and two extra boxes with cheese bread, no garlic, and mozzarella sticks and finally a bowl full of wings. He set the food down on the nearest surface after paying and faced Neji. "I like paintball," he more than hinted. "That would be an excellent place to showcase your manliness, as guys do on dates," he insisted.
Neji laughed as he helped Gaara with the food. "Well, I have to give you a reasonable amount of chances," he said as he walked up to him. "In the end, I'm a businessman," he said simply as he walked up closer still. "Make a strong argument and a decent offer," he said trailing a finger down Gaara's chest. "And I can be convinced to do… anything," he said happily as he stepped away.
Gaara smirked, satisfied because at the very least he was one hell of a businessman.
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