Correction, he was kissing. And Naruto found his hands clutching to the Nara's jacket and pulling himself closer to kiss back. He felt hot, and when he felt Shikamaru's tongue enter and search his mouth he pushed his own against it. Something crashed in the background as Shikamaru had pushed Naruto back against the desk. Eyes flying open Naruto put his hands on Shikamaru's chest and pulled back breathing heavily and trying to lift the fog from his mind. This was wrong. He looked up to Shikamaru and he felt torn, he couldn't even be happy about the fact he had finally kissed Shikamaru, and damn, was it a kiss, they hadn't even gotten started and he wanted more.
"We..." he took a deep breath trying to calm down his body. He was half hard, hot and Shikamaru was still holding him looking down at him with a surprised expression. Naruto pushed him back trying to get some distance.
"You're engaged to my sister!" He blurted out his hand coming to his mouth. "This-" shaking his head and then he felt angry. He had told him how he felt. The fact he had stepped back so not to hurt anyone and he thinks the logical thing to do is kiss him and get his hopes up?
"Naruto" Shikamaru whispered his hands reaching out but Naruto side-stepped the desk and shook his head
"No! We can't. And I won't be your... whatever it is that you think is going to happen!"
"It's okay" Shikamaru said and Naruto couldn't believe his ears. Okay? When did Shikamaru ever condone cheating? He always said only scum would be unfaithful "that sounds bad" he groaned and held his hands up in surrender "I got carried away, I'm sorry. But please, just listen?" He looked desperate and Naruto couldn't hold onto his anger. He couldn't speak so he nodded and Shikamaru let his arms fall to his sides. Naruto waited feeling like his heart was out and exposed all its wounds stinging from the abuse of what was called love.
"I lied" Shikamaru said which caused Naruto to frown at him
"What about?"
"I don't want this! I don't want to marry Temari it's an arranged marriage" he said looking pained but relieved and as if a big weight had been lifted off his shoulders he let out a relieved groan "she doesn't want it either. She is so pissed off with the council it's why she's being petty about the wedding being here. But she did want you here, wants to make the most of it I suppose"
Naruto shook his head confused. Arranged? They were being forced to get married?
"Wait, slow down. What are you talking about?" He asked his mind was reeling, did Kakashi know about this? Why was he allowing it? Of course clans decisions and the way they do things is not something the Hokage can interfere with as long as it doesn't impact the village negatively.
Shikamaru took a breath and held Naruto's gaze.
"The council saw us we got on well, worked as a good team, and were told about me and being the hier to the Nara. So they reached out to the elders and my mother. Seeing as I didn't seem to be making an effort my Mother said this was a good alternative" his lip pulled up annoyed "and they don't believe Gaara will create a hier for the next Kazekage, Kankoro can't, so matching Temari with a Nara was perfect"
No way was Gaara okay with this! Naruto thought
"You can say no" Naruto said "you both can I don't understand why you let it get so far!"
"Because I didn't think I had a opportunity to be with someone I wanted. The only person I ever had any inclination to be with was unavailable" he looked drained and as if the weight of it was lifted but nothing was resolved. Naruto frowned and looked at the man he loved hoping he was saying the right thing.
"And that was... me?" He asked incredously
This was a surprise and he should be happy. But all he could focus on was his sister and love of his life were being forced to marry and produce hiers as if they were nothing more than God damn cattle. Shikamaru lifted his hand and let it fall. Yes, yes it was Naruto.
"I was never unavailable" Naruto said weakly
"To men. I thought you were straight" he pointed out and Naruto couldn't argue there. He chewed his lip.
"We still can't jus-"
"Temari is fine with it" he interrupted and shrugged "she knows I'm gay, she understands we won't ever have that. And I told her she can go elsewhere for it but it cannot get out or end in pregnancy. For obvious reasons"
Naruto's jaw hit the floor. Just opening up the marriage? Can they do that? Being as important as they are Naruto didn't think so.
And he didn't want to sneak about either, something told him Shikamaru wouldn't have the patience for it either.
"Then call off the damn wedding!" He almost yelled
"We can't" Shikamaru said
"You can! You speak up and say you don't want to marry her"
"Officials and elders and Kage are preparing to come to this wedding. It is a month away and people will likely already be making their way" he pointed out.
"I have to leave this village in a few days..." Naruto said and he couldn't believe what words were about to come from him "if I go, you will be unavailable. I will not hide on the sidelines of your marriage" he shook his head "I cannot do that"
The look that crossed Shikamaru's face felt like Naruto had another chidori through his chest. Fuck. His eyes welled up with tears and he had to blink them back
"I can come forward? I can talk to Gaara, if you want me to I will but... we both know I'm not made to be sneaking around, especially when I'd have nothing to want to hide"
Shikamaru didn't answer, he just looked at Naruto with shock and clear signs that this was painful. It made Naruto want to take back his words agree to whatever the hell he wanted but he knew it would only mean the same problem later on, and then it would be too late to actually solve the problem. Especially if it was political. Steeling his resolve he stepped forward and cupped his hands on either side of Shikamaru's neck.
"I want you. I've always wanted you, but not like this" his voice shook and his grip tightened slightly "If you want it I will fight for you. I'll kick up the biggest damned fuss anyone has ever seen. But you have to meet me half way here"
Shikamaru nodded eyes closing tightly. He opened his mouth to talk but closed it again. Clearing his throat he held Naruto's wrist
"I'll have to talk to Temari" he said his voice sounding thick with emotions he was holding back.
"I understand" Naruto whispered
"I want to" he said holding Naruto's wrist tighter "I want to do something now but..."
"I get it" Naruto reassured him "Temari is in this too. Though pretty sure I know what her answer will be" he smirked
Shikamaru wrapped his arms around Naruto pulling him in close. Naruto hugged him putting his head on Shikamaru's shoulder.
They ended up on the floor where Naruto had sat earlier. Shikamaru was against the wall while Naruto sat between his legs. His back to Shikamaru's chest and his head on his chest looking up to him. Shikamaru weaved his fingers through Naruto's
"With the way you train I expected callouses" he commented rubbing his thumb over the back of the blondes hand. Naruto hummed smiling
"Kurama's chakra heals them. Even small things, they don't linger long"
"That's nice of him"
"I think it just happens now, him being with me so long and all" he said "but I can't know for sure, he's so prickly about being caught being nice" Naruto smirked
Shikamaru chuckled and the way it settled Naruto to feel it through him was a little surprising. But he couldn't help smile turning his head into Shikamaru's neck slightly. They talked, cuddled up on the floor. It wasn't until the door opened to Kakashi who stopped short.
"Do I want to know?" He asked pinching his nose
"Nothing happened" Naruto assured him and looked at the clock. It was 5:30, the sun would be up soon. They'd stayed here for a while.
Shikamaru stood up, helping Naruto to his feet.
"I should go. I'll see you later" he said and nodded to Kakashi "Kakashi" he greeted and left.
"Why is my sake on the floor?" Kakashi asked
Naruto figured he should explain, at least give the poor man some warning for what a complete shit show he was potentially about to cause.