Shikamaru's POV

The entire day felt a bit surreal. Shikamaru was still having a hard time believing the last 24 hours had happened. He had his stag do, pretending to be okay about the situation, greatful for his years of being too lazy to be cheerful about things. It made it easy for people to believe he was just being his usual lazy self. But the thought of the wedding night had honestly had him worried. Temari was being more than supportive on the matter. But the night ended with Naruto in his arms, still not completely believing that Naruto was in love with him, and so strongly. The memory of Naruto breaking down still hurt, he had been so shocked that he couldn't move. By time he had snapped out of the horror of knowing he'd caused Naruto so much pain he had ran off. Today itself was more unbelievable. He had planned to go slow, but it was like Naruto was done waiting. So against his fears of scaring him off he took the man then and there. Shikamaru smirked at the memory of how Naruto felt against him, how he didn't even fight against being in his control. Because Shikamaru didn't doubt Naruto could have broke his jutsu at anytime, and he didn't miss Naruto holding himself in place here and there throughout so he wouldn't. The bite still had him reeling, but he was relieved he understood correctly, even if he felt bad for physically hurting Naruto. But it looked like he needed it and hopefully when he returned he would have an answer as to why. Now he had to impatiently wait for his return because he just got him, and it felt painful to have to say goodbye so soon. Even if it was just for a few days. Here at the gates and Naruto long out of sight he tried to muster the energy to go deal with his Troublesome Mother. He knew he needed to tell her first, the idea that coming out to his mother had finally become needed had him feeling more than a little nervous. The only reason he had never come out when he realised was simple. Naruto would never reciprocate, so nobody else would be worth the trouble. No point in having the conversation for someone he never wanted to be with.

"You look happier" Temari's voice came causing him to turn

"I am" he admitted turning to the blonde and walking back to the village

"Spoke to the family yet?" She asked

"It's next"

"Want me to come too?" She asked

He shook his head, if this was going to go badly he didn't want his mother blaming Temari, it was his doing after all. He was being extremely selfish but he couldn't bring himself to feel bad about it. Naruto seemed genuinely happy today, cooped up in his apartment having a nap and then talking about nothing of importance because they just didn't want to deal with the serious things yet. Maybe Naruto also worried this wasn't going to get a chance to be what -he hoped- they both wanted it to be. They walked in silence leaving Shikamaru to his thoughts.

The village was quiet, the market closed up when the sun had begun to set hours ago, only the late night take outs and bars open now. He considered going for a strong drink given the night he was about to have but thought against it.

"What will you do?" He asked Temari. They hadn't discussed it properly this morning all she heard was Naruto felt the same and that was all she needed to stand up and refuse to marry him

"I'll stick around for a while. Believe it or not there is actually someone I took a interest in" she smiled and he looked at her nodding

"I did notice you and Ko seemed a little comfortable"

She blushed and his jaw almost dropped. The girl can get embarrassed he thought. In all the years he had known her she had never blushed

"I hope that's not-"

"I told you, whoever you decided to see was nothing to do with me" he assured her

"Even your relatives?" She asked surprised

His answer was a shrug as he pulled out a cigarette. He hadn't smoke very often since the engagement because it was not worth the nagging that came from Temari. Now it wasn't an issue, and he had to face his mother.

"Do you think Naruto is going to want to kiss you when your breath is going to smell like cigarettes?" She asked

"Guess I'll find out" he shrugged lighting it up. They reached the Nara compound and he took a deep inhale having it fill his lungs. His head felt a bit dizzy from the nicotine rush but already he felt more relaxed.

"Maybe you should head over there, this isn't going to be pretty" he nodded to her and entered the gates leaving her to turn right to Ko's house.

He stood outside his house for five minutes just staring at the door. He couldn't get his mind straight. Knowing her general argument but he just didn't want to argue with the woman. He never understood how his father dealt with her for over twenty years.

This is going to be such a drag, he thought walking into the house and kicked off his shoes.

"Where have you been all day? Nevermind, why do i ask? Hungover and napping in the forest that's where" she rambled "Temari hasn't been home either, but I suppose she is getting anxious about all the last minute details. Planning a wedding is no picnic you know? You should help her more, especially now"

"I need to talk to you" he said deciding waiting for a opening would just be futile. The woman could talk. She halted her work in the kitchen and turned to look at him. She never missed a chance when he initiated conversations because it wasn't often he did. She never complained about it but he could see she wished he was more open with her, and this may feel like a bit of a betrayal for her he realised. She put the lid on the pot and turned to give him her full attention.

"The wedding is off" he didn't know a better way to tell her, beating around the point wasn't going to change the fact those same words were coming from his mouth. Her body went limp as her jaw dropped

"Excuse me?" She asked

"I can't marry her"

"And why not?" She demanded her strength coming back to her "Shikamaru, everything is set up, the Kazekage himself has put a lot of effort and resources into making this happen. You ca-" she cut off at his sigh "what happened? I thought you liked her" she calmed and took a seat opposite him.

"I like her fine, as I like Ino, and Choji" he shrugged

"But you said-"

"Things have changed" he said "information I didn't have before came to light and now there is nogoing back"

"What are you talking about?" She asked looking worried "It was never important before so I didn't bring it up. But I am gay" he said it his her mouth fell open completely and she looked at him but it was unfocused. His heart was in his throat as he waited for her to process when she didn't he decided to keep going "I've only ever been interested in one person, and he wasn't within my reach. So I accepted my role and decided to fulfil the stupid obligations without complaint"

"So what changed?" She asked softly

"Turns out he wasn't out of my reach at all, I was just blind" he shrugged "he broke down and confessed when I asked him outright if he had feelings for me. He had been so wierd and off with Temari and me it became obvious"

He still felt like shit for leaving him to suffer. He wasn't sure he would have had the same strength were it the other way around.

"And you're just going to disregard your duty? Your clan?" She snapped

"I can still lead our clan and be gay mother" he said

"You know that is not what I mean!" She almost yelled "I have no issue with who you love, but you have responsibility to-"

"Then we will figure that out when it is needed. We don't need me to have child now. And I certainly wouldn't be a good father right now either" he didn't raise his voice he didn't even let his anger leak into his voice. Because this wasn't her fault. Things were different for his parents. It was war, and nobody knew how long that peace would last and a hier became necessary in case my father was killed in the field as his was. But it was a era of peace now, thanks to Naruto. And he was always working to maintain that even now when he wasn't even Hokage yet. And nobody doubted if trouble came again Naruto and Sasuke would be able to deal with it without needing to send out clan leaders. Not that any would let them. Well, Naruto.

"Shi-"

"I don't want to argue about this"

"You will have to! Do you think the elders will just be okay with this? The Kazekage?"

"The Kazekage will know this time tomorrow" he said and her eyes narrowed "and something tells me he isn't going to argue about it. Not sure about the elders" he admitted

"Oh you think the Kazekage is going to just pat you on the back and say no hard feelings? For leaving his sister, wasting his time and money?"

"For Naruto, yes" he deadpanned she opened her mouth to speak and closed it. Repeating the action a few times before taking a deep breath

"Naruto? You're in love with Naruto Uzumaki?"

He nodded "Lord Kazekage does have a soft spot for him" she said, more to herself as she brought her finger to her chin

"The whole world does" Shikamaru smirked resiting the urge to roll his eyes "my only concern is if it extends to our elders"

"Some of them"

"It's not going to be a vote it is what it is. I won't be marrying her and I will be with Naruto" he said it so matter of a factly she was clearly taken aback by it.

"They could vote you out Shikamaru"

"Then I'm out. I never asked to be the head and if they take that title then it's no big loss to me. But I do wonder how well their relationship with the future Hokage would manage without me. Naruto is kind and forgiving when it comes to himself. I have no doubt he would a grudge for me"

Internally groaning and the images of Naruto making a fuss and telling them it's there own fault for treating Shikamaru the way they had. He wanted to laugh with how Troublesome this relationship is going to be. And the energy required to keep up with the energetic whirlwind that was Naruto. He didn't care. He was looking forward to a the new firsts that were coming for them.

"This clan has been in your Fath-"

"Don't" he warned his voice dropped and his eyes narrowed at his mother who was about to use his Father against him "You know damn well he would drop this lunacy the moment I told him I didn't want it"

"I will throttle that little-" she cut off

"You'll stay away from Naruto until I've dealt with the elders" he ordered "this is a between you and me"

"He is involved in this! He is going to ruin everything we ha-"

"Don't blame him. He ran off still willing to have me marry the closest he has to a sister. I'm the one who went after him, I'm the one who kissed him and told him the truth. So it's my fault" he stood up knocking the chair back and stormed out the kitchen to his bedroom. Falling onto his bed his energy completely dwindled to nothing even his anger vanished.

"Can't wait to see Naruto again" he grumbled before falling asleep on the bed still fully clothes.

The next day he felt half dead, the lack of sleep the last two days took a toll on him. Sadly the nap he took with Naruto only kept him going until his outburst on his mother last night. He felt like a zombie as he went through the paperwork with Kakashi. He didn't miss the lingering looks he'd get from the Hokage, no doubt wondering what was going on now. Naruto said he told Kakashi the basics, so he was at least aware the wedding was off and Naruto had left to go inform Gaara. Who would know by this evening. Naruto estimated it'd take him a little less than 24 hours to get there including a break to get some sleep. It still made him a little nervous about how Gaara would take it. Sure Gaara was much better than when they met him and more level headed than when they had their stand off in Lee's hospital room all those years ago. But it only takes one thing to cause someone to go back to that anger.

"You are ahead on work, Shikamaru" Kakashi said which was true. He'd worked overtime to make up for his absence yesterday and the upcoming wedding preparations "why don't you go rest for a while, you look more tired than usual"

He nodded and pulled out his cigarettes

"Thanks Kakashi, I'll be on the roof"

He hadn't cloud watched for a while, and the weather was perfect for it, even if he was certain he was going to fall asleep. Laying on the roof he gazed up hoping his mind would shut off and just enjoy the clouds and the warmth. But his mind wondered to what would happen if the elders fight him in his decision. He didn't want Naruto fighting with his clan because some old geezers couldn't get with the times. He didn't want Naruto feeling guilty if things go badly, because he would. Naruto wasn't selfish enough to put himself before those he cared about and he may walk away so Shikamaru doesn't lose his family. Shikamaru however was more than willing to do that. He cared about his clan, but they hadn't really done anything for him, once his dad was buried he was thrown into meetings and told his duties and responsibilities. Not one of them gave him time to grieve or deal with the effects the war had on him. He nearly died twice, he had to fight his sensei and seal him away while Asuma was completely aware, he lost his Father while connected to him. He watched Gaara land in front of him with Naruto dying. Not knowing if he would live or die was the longest ten minutes of his life. Never did he think he would be so relieved to feel Kurama's chakra. Nightmares still effected him. Yet his clan thought bringing a child into that was the way to go.

Stubbing out the last of his cigarette he sighed putting his hands behind his head dozing off.