The First Kiss

Neji slowly turned towards Shikamaru's bedroom door when he heard it open softly, finding Hinata standing in the doorway. She raised her eyebrows curiously, silently asking how Shikamaru was doing. He smiled lightly at her as Shikamaru sniffed in his sleep. He turned back towards Shikamaru, who was sitting in his lap with his arms draped around his torso with his forehead resting against the crook of his neck. Neji rested his lips against the top of Shikamaru's head as he continued to rub his back slowly; he heard the door close quietly as Hinata left them alone.

They're adorable.

Neji closed his eyes, allowing Shikamaru's scent to invade his mind and body, pushing unwelcomed feelings out of him. He carefully pulled Shikamaru closer to him, enjoying the feeling of having the frail man in his arms and against his body; he felt his body heat seep into him, warming his steady heart.

Shikamaru adjusted his position against Neji, tightening his arms around his middle as he slowly opened his dull and bleary brown eyes. He felt Neji's strong arms wrapped around his small frame, pressing him securely against his firm and strong front. He felt a slight heaviness on his head, knowing that it was Neji resting his face against his hair. A small smile graced his lips.

He does that a lot…I like it.

Neji knew that Shikamaru was awake, but chose to remain silent; not wanting to break the peaceful silence. He smiled lightly as he closed his eyes again, noticing that their breathing was synchronized.

"I wish I had more moments like this." Shikamaru said softly, closing his eyes again. Neji began to rub his back again soothingly.

"That can be arranged." Neji replied just as softly. Shikamaru hesitated for a moment.

"Good. I don't think I've ever felt this peaceful before." He said quietly; Neji almost missing what he said.

"The only way I'll leave is if you killed me and Hinata; and I don't see that happening." Shikamaru's heart clenched tightly at Neji's words. He felt an unfamiliar sensation possess his body, and he didn't know how to process this new feeling.

What's happening to me?

You are losing your fight against the Boy.

I don't understand.

You are allowing the Boy to truly know you and opening up to him. Tell me something, Child.

What?

Do you trust the Boy?

Of course I do.

You didn't hesitate, did you?

Shikamaru paused, thinking.

No…I didn't.

Do you believe the words that the Boy speaks?

Shikamaru paused again, processing Aleto's words. He thought back to what Neji has said in the past 2 and a half months, to what he just said about not leaving, and to what he said about taking away his pain if he could.

Yeah…I believe him.

I too have heard the majority of the things that the Boy has spoken and I hear the honesty as clear as anything in his voice.

Me too.

I believe that you are truly ready to acknowledge things that you don't want to. I believe that you are truly ready to feel the emotions that you have buried for a very long time.

I'm scared, Alecto.

It would have been abnormal if you weren't, but the Boy is with you and as he has said, he won't leave you. He has been with you for close to three months now. He is staying because he cares about you.

The word clicked in Shikamaru's mind:

Cares.

Neji cares about him.

Cares?

Yes, Child. I see the way he looks at you. I believe he loves you.

Shikamaru's heart stopped at the word 'love'; he's never felt the confusing yet exhilarating feeling before in his life. Is love the feeling that he's been feeling for the past few months?

Was he truly in love with Neji?

The Boy truly cares about you and I know that you feel the same, but you have never experienced such a feeling before so it's unfamiliar and unrecognizable. You have never allowed yourself to feel an intimate type of love nor feel that king of love from another person.

Shikamaru blushed.

But it's—

I know it's scary, Child. But he will keep you safe at all cost. He will never leave you or allow someone to hurt you because he loves you too much. He truly wants to take your pain away because he doesn't like to see you hurting.

Shikamaru clenched his eyes shut as Alecto's words sunk in, knowing that deep in his heart that he was right. He felt his eyes grow wet again, not knowing how to express the overwhelming feeling that Alecto's words were having on him.

"You really mean it, don't you?" Shikamaru asked, breaking the silence.

"Mean what?" Neji asked, confused by his question.

"You said that you won't leave me…you really mean it, don't you?"

"Of course I do." He gently stroked Shikamaru's hair.

"I think believe you." Shikamaru said softly, turning to look up at Neji. He tilted his head to the left slightly, thinking back to Alecto's words.

Sitting up slightly, he pulled his left arm away from Neji's midsection and placed his fingertips on Neji's cheek, his eyes searching his face. He continued to think of Alecto's words and felt them truly sink in as he brushed his fingertips down Neji's cheek, then resting them gently against the corner of Neji's lips. Shikamaru felt the unfamiliar feeling become stronger, wrapping its grip around his heart, making him feel like he was drowning as he continued to search Neji's eyes.

What is this?

Shikamaru moved his fingertips from Neji's lips, reached up and weaved his fingers through Neji's hair at the base of his neck, and pulled the Hyuuga towards him, capturing his lips. Neji felt his body freeze at Shikamaru's unexpected action, wondering what Shikamaru was thinking about to cause him to kiss him. Neji placed his hand back on Shikamaru's lower back and wrapped his left arm tighter around Shikamaru's upper back, pulling him as close to him as possible. It was a chaste and gentle kiss. Neji allowed Shikamaru to take control in the unfamiliar territory.

Shikamaru pulled away, leaving Neji very surprised at what Shikamaru had started.

Not that I mind.

He searched the Nara's face, looking for any indication that would possibly explain his sudden act of affection. Shikamaru's eyes looked up at him and Neji then noticed something different about them:

Some of the dullness had faded.

"Alecto's smart sometimes." Shikamaru said, smiling lightly. Neji's heart skipped a beat at the sight of the small smile that he loved.

"What do you mean?" Shikamaru blinked slowly.

"He said some things that have made me see some things a bit differently. He said that he trusts your word, so I should as well." Neji smiled gently.

"Like I said a few months ago, I never break promises with people I care deeply about."

The word 'care' lodged itself in Shikamaru's brain again. His smile grew slightly as he laid his head back on his favorite spot on Neji's shoulder, wrapping his arms around his midsection again, and closing his eyes. Neji tightened his arms around Shikamaru's frame and rested his cheek on top of Shikamaru's hair again. He ran his hand up and down Shikamaru's back slowly.

"And I'll have to die before I break a promise with someone I love."

Shikamaru's heart stopped as his eyes snapped open.

NejiXShikamaru

Alright Gang,

As always, patience and reviews/PMs would be appreciated!

When-Rabbit-Howls