A/N: Here is my yearly Christmas story for Shikamaru and Temari. I hope you like it :)
If someone had told Shikamaru that he would one day be with Temari the way he was now, he would never have believed them. Both of them had finally some time off and despite working the whole day on the preparations for the Chunin Exams they wanted to spend Christmas Eve together. The normally so troublesome woman was cuddled up to him on his couch and lightly playing with his fingers. Seeing her like this one would never guess what a strong kunoichi she was. However he was the only one who was permitted to see this softer side of her and he would always be thankful for that. Smiling slightly he ran a hand through her blond hair which for once was free of her usual hair style.
"The Nara curse really got me in the end." He whispered softly, without realizing that he had said it out loud.
"What do you mean?" Her worried voice pulled him out of his thoughts.
Temari was now turning in his arms so she facing him, concern clear in her beautiful eyes. After the year they had just had Shikamaru couldn't blame her for worrying. So much had happened and a lot was changing. There had been a lot of development and there would surely be more in the next months as well. However for now he had to reassure her that the Nara curse wasn't something bad, at least not for him.
"It's nothing bad." He smiled softly at her and gave her a gentle kiss before he continued. "The meaning of the Nara curse is that Nara men have the tendency to fall for troublesome women and seeing that I'm with you it clearly got me."
"So I'm troublesome?"
While sometimes when he called her that it ended in an argumentation this time she was smirking playfully at him, clearly too relaxed and content with their position to start a fight over it.
"Very." Shikamaru returned her look an leaned down to kiss her again. When their lips met softly Shikamaru felt his heart beat faster. They had been dating for a little more than half a year, but Shikamaru was already sure that he wanted to marry her. Even with his next 200 steps planned ahead he didn't want to pressure her, so he hadn't even told her that he loved her. She was still an ambassador of Suna in Konoha and the dessert land was her home country. He knew how much she loved Suna and her brothers. Whenever she came to Konoha she often talked about her siblings and Shikamaru could hear the affection she held for her family.
Shikamaru knew that he couldn't leave Konoha, because one day Naruto would become the hokage and he needed an advisory. The lazy shinobi was sure that it would be a lot of work to help Naruto, but he was willing to take that position. Naruto had done so much for everyone and he had a heart of gold, but he would need someone who could come up with strategies. Considering that he couldn't leave Konoha. That was a predicament he didn't know how to get out off. He had planned the next 200 steps ahead, but only if Temari would make a decision and he didn't want to force her to do that. He would wait for her to make her decision and whatever it was he would accept it, no matter how much it would pain him if she decided to stay in Suna.
Temari must have noticed that he was no longer paying attention to her, because she touched his cheek softly.
"What are you thinking about?"
For a moment he hesitant before he decided to let her in on a small part of his thoughts.
"About the future. It was a hard year and a lot will change."
At his words he saw her eyes cloud over with emotions, clearly she was remembering all the hardships the year had brought with it. However her next words surprised him.
"Am I part of your future plans?" Her voice was soft and she had broken their eye contact and was looking at their intertwined hands instead.
Gently he took a hold of her chin and lifted it so he could look into her eyes. The normally confident look in them was gone and was replaced with the insecurity she always tried to hide. Shikamaru was torn between telling her about every detail of his thoughts and keeping his thoughts to himself. However another look into her eyes pulled at his heart-strings and before he could stop himself he let his heart speak.
"I want you in my life and in my future. I love you Temari."
When he saw her eyes widened he realized what he had just confessed. Exactly that he had been trying to avoid. It was probably too late, but he had to make at least a little damage control.
"I didn't meant to tell you that. It's your decision alone if you want me in your future. I don't want you to force you away from your country and family, just because I feel the way I do for you. I'll accept whatever you-"
He was interrupted by Temari's soft lips. They had shared a few passionate kisses already and maybe it was his wishful thinking, but this one felt different.
"I love you too." She said breathlessly when she pulled away from him.
With that made clear she kissed him again before she looked deep into his eyes to further confirm her words. However suddenly she broke their eye-contact and instead focused on something behind him. Shikamaru turned to the window behind him to see what had caught Temari's attention. Outside it had begun snowing.
"That's the first snow I see." Temari said in wonder.
"You know, here in Konoha we have an old saying. When you see the first snow together, you'll stay together forever."
"That's rather sappy, but somehow I hope it's true." Temari looked back at him and he turned back around to face her. Gently he moved a strand of her hair out of her face before he leaned closer to her.
"I hope it's true as well." With that he closed the space between them and kissed her lovingly.
Whatever the future would hold for them Shikamaru was sure that they would find a way together. With the first snow falling outside and the woman he loved in his arms Shikamaru couldn't hope for a better Christmas.
A/N: Merry Christmas :)