Tenten pressed onto the doorbell, she waited as she heard hastened steps heading towards her direction.
The door opened as she saw Temari smiling at her,her blonde hair combed hastily; a large t-shirt thrown over her body as a makeshift sleeping dress.
"Come on in," she turned around as Tenten followed her. "Coffee or tea?"
"Water will do, thanks," said Tenten as she kicked her shoes off and walked to the sofa.
Temari walked out of the kitchen and returned with two glasses of warm water.
Tenten sipped from the cup as Temari sat down across her.
"Sorry for calling you over on Sunday."
"It's okay," Tenten replied, her glance darting around.
"I know you're helping Neji," she said, straight to the point, she sighed softly. "It's not going to work."
Tenten sighed and shook her head softly. "I am sorry."
"Don't be," Temari sucked her teeth. "You know what, I am sorry for you."
Temari stood up and walked to Tenten' side. "Nothing's more sad than having to help the guy you like chase another girl."
Tenten's fists tightened as Temari sat down next to her, the brunette bit onto her lips, attempting to control her emotions.
"Listen, I have no interest in Neji, so you should take your chance!" Temari patted on her shoulder gently.
"I don't…" Tenten stopped as Temari held onto her hand and smiled. She pulled her up and dragged her over to the mirror decor of her living room, Tenten stood in front of the mirror as Temari backed out.
"Look at you, you are beautiful," Temari smiled, as she leaned against the wall next to the mirror. "You are beautiful the way you are, and if Neji doesn't realise it, he's an idiot."
Tenten gently released her arms from the fold in front of her chest, she stared and blinked.
"Y'know, you should knock some sense into his head." Temari arched an eyebrow.
Tenten blinked and smiled at Temari.
"Look, you need to tell him straight, just tell him." Temari grinned at him. "In fact, just take the chance when he tell you to send me stuff."
Temari was stunned when her friend rushed to her side and wrapped her arms around her.
"Thank you, Temari-san," said Tenten as her embrace tightened.
Temari patted on her back as the brunette buried her head onto her shoulder.
"Apart from that, I have another thing for you - but that can wait, you can go ahead and enjoy the rest of your sunday."
Tenten let go of her, wiping her face with the back of her hand and grinned at Temari widely.
Just as she was about to say something, a loud yawn echoed in the room, Tenten frowned as she turned around.
A half-naked Shikamaru stood at the entranceway of the living room, wearing nothing but his boxers; his dark, shoulder-length hair pulled causally into a ponytail as he blinked and raised his head.
"Yo."
Tenten nodded at him, her mouth gasped in surprise, she turned around and looked at Temari, who was shaking her head, covering her face with her hand in embarrassment.
She waved her hand, asking Shikamaru to go somewhere else. He shrugged and walked towards the kitchen.
"So?" Tenten raised an eyebrow, folding her arms in front of her chest. "When are you planning to…"
"Sooner or later," said Temari as she smiled with a rush of pink on her face. "We're just enjoying the moment for the time being."
"Is it a one-time thing?"
"Well... I don't think so," Temari sighed exasperatedly.
Tenten shook her head and smiled. "I mean I kind of saw this coming, but to see that - it's still a shock." Her smile then turned into a full-blown laugh.
Temari could not help herself but laugh with her.
"Well, I'm gonna go now, you enjoy your sunday too." Tenten winked at her and walked towards the door.
Temari closed the door, she turned around and walked into the kitchen.
Shikamaru was standing there with a cup of coffee in his hand, another cup was on the kitchen counter.
"I made us some toast, its in the toaster," he said, as Temari looked at him.
"You heard us didn't you?" She pressed her finger against his bare chest, pouting a little as she did.
"I might have," he arched an eyebrow, Temari turned away, sighing as she shook her head.
She gasped as he wrapped his arm around her, his embrace accentuating the curves of her body. The way he breathed into her ear stung her, she could smell the fresh coffee in his breath.
"You have a good heart." Temari turned around, staring at him straight in the eye.
"You could have just told her off and leave it there," he smiled and brushed stray hairs out of her face. "But you gave her a major confidence boost, right when she needed it."
Temari froze as he leaned forward and pressed a kiss onto her forehead.
"What's that for?" She said, her voice was soft. Shikamaru smiled slyly.
"A reward for kindness."
"Who needs your reward?" She snapped and slapped him on the chest playfully. He sucked his teeth and pulled her close, pressing his lips against hers, his tongue invaded the cavity of her mouth and sucked her tongue.
She bit onto his lip lightly, the slight pain enticed him further as he held her and placed her onto the counter, his lips began to travel as he pecked her neck and collarbone.
Temari chuckled as he did, clawing onto his back, her legs clamped around his waist.
"You know what," Temari gasped for breath as his hands began to run wild across her body.
"What?"
"Let's skip breakfast." Temari wrapped her arms around his neck, her forehead against his as she grinned slyly. "There are something I want to eat more than toast."
He returned a smirk as her hand began to travel down from his chest to his lower abdomen.
"Fine with me." He swept her up from the counter and held her. "Troublesome."
Shikamaru wrapped his arm around her shoulder, as she snuggled her head against his chest.
"Y'know, your phone has been vibrating quite a lot." Temari eyed his phone on the nightstand. "Someone's calling you."
He looked over and reached for the phone.
"Hello?"
"Where have you been?" He could imagine his mother screaming into the phone. "This house is not a hotel!"
His mother kept on screaming through the phone; Temari stared at him with amusement.
"You know what mom?" He eyed Temari before a smile crawled onto his face. "I am bringing someone home for dinner."
She could hear his mother's screaming stopped.
"Yes," he turned to Temari. "Do you have anything that you don't eat?"
"Er… I don't really like squid and octopus." Temari stammered a little, realising where this was getting.
"Yes, she doesn't eat squid and octopus," he said to the phone. "Alright, see you later then. Bye."
Temari's eyes widened, staring at him straight in the eye.
"Are you serious?"
"About what?"
"This," she folded her arms in front of her chest. "This whole dinner at your home thing, I am not ready for this - I didn't buy your parents…"
Shikamaru put down his phone and wrapped his arms around her.
Temari struggled a little, punching him in his chest.
"We'll go get them something before we go back." Shikamaru smiled. "Don't worry, they'll like you, I'm sure."
"How could you be sure?"
"Trust me." He blinked as he smiled at her.
Temari sighed softly as she smiled at him with a frown.
"Troublesome," she muttered as he laid back down, pulling her along with him.
It is going to be a very, very troublesome dinner.
Temari thought to herself as Shikamaru wrapped his arms around her.
But it is inevitable, she smiled and sighed softly.
Being with him, this is the inevitable trouble that she had to face.
Author's note:
A short chapter just to keep it going :D I hope you enjoy the friendship moment as well as Shikatema! Do tell me how you feel about the story through reviews or PM! Thank you for reading and supporting my story xoxo
V.S.V