Shadows and Fangs
Chapter 7
Happy holidays to those who celebrate/take time off.
I hope this one won't disappoint! :)
Despite his resolution though – and his will to prove that he wasn't pining over Omoi – Shikamaru couldn't bring himself to actively seek out Kiba. He just couldn't. And now that he'd been hoping to run into him, of course, he was nowhere to be found – while, of course, when he'd been hoping to avoid him, he'd seen him literally every other day! Maybe that was why his wits deserted him the day it finally happened, right outside of the Hokage's building on a chilly day. He almost let this chance go as well until Kiba had walked past him and he managed to snap himself awake and turn to him. "Kiba! We need to talk!" And damn it, but that was really the last thing he should've said because Kiba's shoulders tensed and he barely turned his head to him as he replied.
"Is this about work?" he asked, because they were shinobi, and Shikamaru was still a squad leader whose orders he would still follow – he'd never doubt that aspect of him.
The Nara was half tempted to say 'yes', but he'd promised himself to stop using excuses, so he didn't. "No."
"Then I'm not interested in talking," Kiba replied before resuming his walk with Shino, who managed to convey a warning to Shikamaru although his entire face was covered as usual. Oh. So visibly, Shino was in on their little secret.
Shikamaru sighed heavily as he looked up at the clouds as though hoping for a script – they were swirling murky grey, sure sign that a storm was coming, he noted – and when no help appeared he figured he should just talk, as his friends had ceaselessly exhorted him to. "I wanted to talk about how I'm in love with you," he found himself saying in a clear voice, not caring who heard. "And how I was hoping that you're still in love with me," he continued, surprised at how easy it was to keep talking now that he'd started. And he resisted the urge to huff, because by principle he hated it when Ino was right. Speaking of Ino, she was looking between the two of them with wide eyes and a growing gape as she figured out Kiba was his mystery lover. Oh, so Omoi was an obvious guess but Kiba was unbelievable? Next to her, Sai cocked his head to the side as he seemed to take great interest in how the situation would unfold – no doubt he was taking mental notes on how to grovel if he ever screwed up.
Kiba stopped in his steps but didn't turn back, and Shino was frowning at him – frowning so much he could actually see the frown behind the glasses, and of course it would figure that Shino would be the most expressive of them when he'd just confessed to Kiba! From his master's side, Akamaru only sniffed the air a few times before pressing his muzzle to his hand reassuringly.
"Do you think that's something you'd be willing to talk about after all?" Shikamaru asked him, shoving his hands in his pockets to calm himself, tuning out the shocked whispers all around them. From the corner of his eyes, he saw Ino and Sai glaring down a couple of gossiping genin and he had half-a-mind to smile at them gratefully.
Kiba turned his head to share a glance with Shino first – and Shikamaru was suddenly very peeved at the Aburame for the first time in his life – before eventually turning around to face him, expression unreadable, and his poker face never ceased to impress him when he was usually so exuberant. "The last time we talked about that, you reminded me of the importance of the expectations placed on you as a famous figure of the Nara clan – namely, how you should contribute to the next generation's numbers," he stated matter-of-factly. "Now I don't think I need to remind you that no matter how many times we try, we'll never get each other pregnant," he deadpanned, eyes darting to the side in annoyance at some snickers he heard – the ones responsible promptly shutting up and remembering they had to be elsewhere.
Ino snorted and Shikamaru wanted to scowl at her for being such a traitor but thought better of it and concentrated on the task at hand. "You're right, of course – and you were right back then, too. Other people's expectations shouldn't be more important than my own happiness, I realize that now," he said instead, holding Kiba's gaze.
"What, and you think we'd be happy together?" Kiba meant to come across as nonchalant, but his breath hitched when he said 'together' and it strengthened the shadow-nin.
"At the very least, I think being with the person I'm in love with is a good start, particularly if it's mutual," Shikamaru replied openly. "Which I'm really hoping it still is."
All eyes shifted to Kiba as they waited for his response with baited breath – almost as though it was their fate he was holding in his hands – and the unnatural silence was unnerving. Eventually, after what felt like a lifetime but had probably been only a few seconds, Shino relaxed and Akamaru wagged his tail and Shikamaru took that as a good sign as he allowed himself to breathe normally again – and he didn't even remember when he'd started holding his breath.
"Prove it," Kiba finally said, but his face was less guarded than before and that competitive cockiness was creeping back into his voice.
Shikamaru wasn't even surprised and resolutely didn't need to think about it as he closed the distance between them and grabbed Kiba's face between his hands before pressing his lips to his. Ino cheered so loudly he winced and pulled back to finally scowl at her, and he even heard some other clapping and cheering – and some less pleasant comments as he'd surmised, but he really couldn't have cared less because Kiba grabbed his vest and pulled him back against his mouth. And the grin he was treated to as they pulled back was 100% pure Kiba liveliness.
"I've missed that grin," he muttered to himself in realization.
Kiba half-snorted half-chuckled at that. "Then don't wipe it off my face again," he replied simply, the slightest bit warningly. Akamaru barked his agreement, tail wagging quickly.
"I won't," Shikamaru replied with such absolute certainty that it surprised even him. But then, not so much. He wouldn't screw up again. He just wouldn't. He moved to lean in again but someone cleared their throat to stop him.
"Perhaps you should continue this discussion somewhere more private," Shino informed them as his – creepily threatening – eyes didn't leave the Nara.
"Aww, Shino! It was just getting interesting!" Ino berated him as she slapped his shoulder.
"But he's got the correct idea – empirical evidence suggests that the most likely course of events now that they've reconciled is 'make-up sex'," Sai butted in with his legendary finesse. "They really shouldn't be in public for that," he added like it was something that needed to be said.
"Ino, I swear to you, one day I will sew his mouth shut with his own shadow," Shikamaru muttered tiredly as he fought the urge.
"No you won't," she replied matter-of-factly as she took her boyfriend's hand in hers and squeezed warningly – and it was always very satisfying to see him wince when she did that, even if he still didn't get why what he'd said was wrong, since it was the truth.
Kiba's grin widened at that as he grabbed Shikamaru's hand and cocked his head to the side. "I don't particularly have any objections to his suggestion, in theory, even if I guess we should talk about this some more…" he said lightly but seriously as he tugged on his hand to indicate he should follow him.
"We'll handle the report for you!" Ino called back cheerfully as she waved her arms at them, Sai docilely waving a hand by her side, and Shino just looking on impassively as he always did – but Shikamaru could swear he'd seen him sigh.
He felt himself smile as he looked at the mismatched trio and his eyes then trailed over the slowly disassembling mob who'd witnessed his impromptu confession – shinobi and civilians alike, some he knew but most he didn't. No matter; by this evening, or tomorrow at the latest, the entire village would know, and he was completely okay with that.
They didn't exchange any words on the way to Kiba's apartment in the Inuzuka compound, but their joined hands seemed to convey a message regardless, and they didn't pull back even as they encountered surprised looks and were subjected to not-so-discreet comments. Same-sex relationships weren't exactly rare in Konoha, but infinitely more so when openly displayed – so of course people would stare. Neither cared much at this time however. Kiba only let go of his hand to unlock his door, and Shikamaru tried not to think too much about the last time he was within these walls – they had to talk before going for a repeat.
"Make yourself at home – just give me a sec," Kiba said absently as he moved to remove his equipment and pour Akamaru a fresh bowl of water. As his dog lapped happily and noisily at it, he sighed and looked up at Shikamaru for the first time since the door had closed. "So what changed?" he asked softly, as though almost afraid of the answer.
"I kept waiting to feel better but it never happened. And then I realized it wouldn't," Shikamaru replied truthfully with a shrug as he moved to stand in the kitchen with him, leaning back against the counter. "You were right: with the lives we lead, it's really not worth it to settle for less than what we truly want, especially if we have a chance to have it," he developed honestly. "And…well, Ino and Chouji might've told me as much. Although until a moment ago, she didn't know it was you. I bet she's telling Chouji right now," he surmised with an easy grin, imagining his best friend's surprise. "Kurenai actually figured us out though!"
The Inuzuka rolled his eyes in amusement and then pulled out a chair to slouch in it. "So basically, other people told you what I've been saying since day one, and you listened to them," he summarized with a frown.
"It sounds really bad when you put it like that," Shikamaru conceded as he crossed his arms over his chest. "I screwed up, Kiba. I got scared, although it's no excuse. I know that, and I'm not sure what more you want me to say about it," he admitted quietly.
Kiba almost growled as he leaned back in the chair, raising a hand to remove his Leaf protector and muss his hair. "I guess I just…want to know that you're not going to end up changing your mind again…" he said with a frustrated sigh. "I mean I know that what'll come now isn't entirely up to you, it's up to me too; and maybe we'll find out that we don't work out that well in the end but…Augh…I don't even know what I'm saying anymore," he muttered as he looked up at Shikamaru, as though hoping he'd know anyway.
To his surprise, the shadow-nin seemed to know something. "We should stop thinking about the future; neither one of us can predict it. So let's just focus on what we do know, okay?" he offered, the corner of his lips pulling slightly at the other's nod. "I'm in love with you," he started.
"And I'm in love with you," Kiba wasted no time in replying as he stood up and made his way to him.
"Despite your brashness," Shikamaru continued, uncrossing his arms.
"And despite your laziness," Kiba countered as he reached for his hands.
"Despite your complete lack of self-control," Shikamaru noted as he let him guide his hands to his hips.
"And despite your overabundance of it sometimes," Kiba replied with a cocky grin.
Shikamaru raised an eyebrow at this. "Despite the fact that your best friend's obviously thought up ways to kill me and has the means to dispose of my body."
Kiba smirked happily at that, setting his arms around the other man's neck. "And that yours could either flatten me or in the other's case make me jump off a cliff – and is dating the most socially inept person I have ever met," he added because some things deserved to be said out loud repeatedly and any self-respecting Inuzuka would never cease to advocate against poor social skills.
"Can't deny that," the Nara muttered. He pulled Kiba closer as he listed the next known fact. "We're pretty amazing together in bed."
Kiba's grin widened as their lips brushed together, but he sobered up slightly as he looked into his eyes before stating something else. "I can't give you children." And that was what had started their 'break-up' in the first place, wasn't it?
Shikamaru tensed slightly but then shook his head as he used both hands to grab Kiba's face. "I care about you more than that," he said very seriously as he held his gaze.
"Yeah?" Kiba asked with barely concealed fear and hope mingling together.
"Yeah," Shikamaru replied with what he hoped was complete confidence. He then huffed teasingly. "Despite your family who'll likely be way more socially inappropriate than Sai."
Kiba laughed but couldn't well deny that. "And despite your mother who'll probably try to have me killed even more than Chouji and Ino combined!" he countered.
"The secret is to never show how she affects you," Shikamaru assured him.
"Huh. The secret with my mother is to head-butt her as hard as she does you," Kiba replied with a shrug.
It was up to debate whether he meant that figuratively or literally – personally, Shikamaru was leaning more towards the latter. "I'll keep that in mind," was his response against his lips. He then pulled back as he thought about something else. "Were you…planning on accepting Gaara's offer? Kurenai told me about it," he added as he noticed his surprised expression.
The Inuzuka cocked his head the side as he wondered how to best word it. "I've been seriously considering it," he admitted. "And it wasn't because of you or anything. But…I guess I can put that decision on hold until we see where this is going," he finished with a tentative grin. "It's not like I've been given a definite deadline…"
"Sounds good to me," Shikamaru replied with a relieved sigh before leaning in once more. Kissing Kiba was way too easy and addictive; he realized then that he'd been feeling a withdrawal of some kind, but it was quickly turning into a distant unpleasant memory as the present moment replaced it. Kiba raised a hand to run it through his hair and Shikamaru didn't waste a second before snaking an arm around his waist to pull him closer. He snapped out of his daze however when he felt a hand trail over his stomach and stopped it before it could go lower. "Kiba, wait," he said regretfully as he pulled back and away from him.
"What? Why?" the Inuzuka almost whined.
"Believe me: there is nothing in the world I would rather do right now," Shikamaru promised him as he looked him in the eyes. "But I would really prefer it if my mother heard about us from me instead of the grapevine," he said seriously.
Kiba immediately stopped trying to grope him at this, understanding his reasons – and grinning despite himself at his use of the pronoun 'us'. "Of course, you're right. I hope the news didn't travel that fast yet," he added as he – regretfully – stepped back. "Do you…want me to come with you?" he then offered for the principle, unsure whether that would be helpful or not.
"Not right now, no. First I have to know that she won't try to kill you," the Nara replied not-so-jokingly as he ran a hand through his hair fondly. "But thank you," he then said with a small smile as he pulled him in for another kiss. He then frowned as he thought about the other man's family. "What about your family? How will they take it?"
Kiba shrugged off the question easily. "They'll probably roll their eyes, say 'finally' and bring out the inappropriate comments just like you said," he replied partly annoyed but mostly fond. "You'll be expected to learn all the dogs' names though," he then added seriously.
Shikamaru did raise an eyebrow at that. That was easier said than done. He'd known Hana for years, and he still couldn't tell her triplets apart most of the time, so figuring out all the dogs? His challenges were obviously only beginning. "I'll do it, if it'll make them see I'm serious," he assured him, humming in satisfaction as he was rewarded with another kiss. He didn't linger, much as he wanted to, since he really had no way of knowing whether his mother had heard yet and would much rather have it come from him. It wasn't a talk he was looking forward to, in fact it was quite the opposite – so very troublesome – but it had to be done, and his own words would be infinitely better than some bystander's eschewed perception. To his surprise, once he got closer to his house he noticed Sai and indeed the other man wasted no time in jumping down from a nearby roof to meet him. "What're you doing here?" he wondered with a frown.
Sai sighed as only he could – in the way Shikamaru had long since learned meant that Ino was behind whatever it was. "Ino wanted to make sure your mother would not be told by a third party." Ah, so that was a punishment for his misplaced comments earlier. Ino was truly a glorious best friend.
"Did people actually try to?"
"A few. No one I couldn't redirect," Sai replied with a shrug, looking at him hopefully.
Shikamaru took pity on him at that. "Thanks Sai, you can go now. Tell Ino I said 'thank you'."
"Good luck," Sai wished him before promptly vanishing.
Well. Now he had to decide on what to do. He had a brief mental image of his mother going on a rampage though and it made shivers run down his spine – it made him wish his father were here with the same intensity as when he'd been a toddler having a nightmare, and it was really unsettling. But at the same time he wanted this to be over, so he walked in, and instead of heading to his room as he usually would, he walked towards the dining room where she sat at the table. "Can I talk to you?" he asked her, with all the enthusiasm of a man walking to his demise. Strangely, it brought him back to his childhood, and to the times he'd had to confess to skipping class or getting into other kinds of trouble. Good old days…things were so much simpler back then, before feelings and hormones got involved and threw his world upside-down.
"Did you get in trouble or something?" Yoshino asked him with a raised eyebrow as she set down the kunai she was cleaning – a fact he was infinitely grateful for. She might no longer have been an active shinobi herself but her aim hadn't decreased at all – and for some reason, she'd always enjoyed cleaning their equipment, he couldn't even ever recall her flinching at crusted blood.
"The good kind," he assured her with a lazy grin as he sat down a little bit to her side – the right one, because she was left-handed and one was never too cautious. "Best set that down though," he added with a frown as she picked up a shuriken.
"For my safety or yours?" she asked back, mirroring him.
"Mine," Shikamaru replied without a second's hesitation, relaxing as she did so, visibly humoring him. "I'm seeing someone – well I have been for some time, but we decided we wanted it to be for good." That was some serious summarizing, but he couldn't really tell his mother they'd just had sex before admitting they were in love and deciding for more – and then, that it had happened in that order mostly because he'd been a chicken in the first place.
Yoshino's smirk as she rested her chin in her palm was a bright reminder that he mostly took after her, despite most people likening him to his father – cutting his hair had helped, though. "Well, I'll say: that's the good kind of trouble indeed!" she goaded before noting his still tense look and frowning instantly. "Okay, what else?" she asked shrewdly.
Oh he'd been right. Hearing it from him was much safer – not for himself, obviously, but for whoever would've been the news bearer. "Kiba. Inuzuka. That's who I'm seeing."
"Inuzuka?" she repeated – shrieked – with a frown before the rest computed – and it was almost funny how the clan was the first thing she'd noted. "Kiba? Tsume's brat? But he's a…well, a he!"
Oh yes, he was very much aware of that fact, but figured she wouldn't appreciate his humor at the moment. "Look, I didn't exactly plan on this," he started as he looked down with a sigh. "I never expected to fall in love with him but—"
"In love?" she repeated icily.
"That's what I just told you…"
"You just said you were 'with' him," his mother corrected sweetly.
"So troublesome – it's the same, no? I'm with him because I'm in love with him," Shikamaru replied with a shrug.
Yoshino sighed partly in frustration as she rested her forehead against her hand before sighing once more and looking back up at him. "Alright, I'll bite. What about the clan?" she asked calmly.
"What about it?" he asked back, playing dumb. He really didn't want her to throw back at him all the excuses he'd given Kiba, even though he figured he didn't really have a choice and had it coming. That didn't mean he couldn't stall, though.
"Don't stall, Shikamaru Nara," she read through him immediately. "While I don't doubt Kiba's…enthusiasm," and she frowned painfully at this – they both did, "staying with a man obviously means you won't be able to further the bloodline," she needlessly reminded him.
"I know that," Shikamaru replied with a sigh. "But look, I've got plenty of relatives who've done a whopping job of that already, it's not like my not pitching in is really going to make a difference in the end," he reasoned.
Yoshino shook her head as she picked up a shuriken and polished it to occupy herself. "As far as the clan's numbers are concerned, you're absolutely right: whether you have children or not isn't really important. But in terms of reputation, it's much more so. You're known, Shikamaru. Not only in Konoha, but also in other villages," she continued factually, tapping her index finger to the table. "Granted, you're not the greatest shinobi alive. Heck I remember how I had to practically pull you out of bed and drop you on the academy stairs when you were at an age where others such as Lord Kakashi were already jounin!"
Shikamaru winced as he remembered his academy days all too well. She really did pull and drop him, literally. Iruka had tried to get her to do it more gently, but eventually, even he'd had to give up on softening her 'tough love'.
"But the Kage themselves know you by name and value your council."
"So? I'll bite. What's that got to do with any of this?" he asked, using her words from before.
"I'm not an idiot, Shikamaru. I realize that two people of the same gender spending time together isn't as rare as some would like to believe," his mother noted as she rolled her eyes. "And what's done in private is people's own business. But as someone who's known, and as one of the public faces of the Nara clan, you've got different rules to follow," she laid out bluntly, fingers tapping the table.
Ah, there it was. "That's what I've kept telling myself, mom, and you have no idea of troublesome it is to feel so trapped when there's no real reason to!" he told her with a sigh as he ran a hand through his hair.
"Shikamaru!" Yoshino chided as she placed her hands on her hips – and how she managed to make it look threatening even as she was sitting on the ground, he'd never know.
"I want to make everyone proud – you, the clan, dad – but do I have to do that at the cost of my own happiness?" he asked her seriously as he looked back at her.
"Of course not," Yoshino replied crossly, certainly not willing to settle back and just watch as her son wallowed in misery for her, no matter how much she might disagree with his choices – and she did, in this particular case, very much so. "And if your father were still with us, he'd be telling you to do what feels right – heck he'd have probably figured you out before you did it yourself!" she huffed fondly as she still felt a pinch whenever she thought about Shikaku – always would, probably.
"Do you really think he would've been okay with this?" Shikamaru asked her seriously, allowing himself to feel hopeful.
"You were his world, Shikamaru," she noted calmly. "He never really wanted kids, but from the moment you were born, there was nothing he wouldn't have done for you – even go against the clan, if need be. That's what parents do…" she murmured as she closed her eyes and let out a deep sigh to rein her emotions in.
Shikamaru sighed in relief as he felt himself relax and looked up at her tentatively. "So…are you okay with this?"
Yoshino huffed as she opened her eyes and raised an eyebrow at him. "What's the alternative? Lose you?" she asked rhetorically before raising a hand to pinch the bridge of her nose. "I just want you to be aware that life can feel quite accommodating when people only say good things about you. Don't imagine for a second that your decision won't lead to unpleasant confrontations," she forewarned with a frown. "And don't think you'll be able to remain entirely unaffected by it."
And suddenly he saw. It wasn't that she was disappointed, or inherently disapproved; she was just worried – and consequently annoyed. "Mom, I appreciate that you're trying to look out for me, I really do. But I've made up my mind; I will take a chance at whatever we can be despite what others will think or say," he assured her with determination.
Yoshino's eyes bore into his and he held her look until she relented with a sigh. "You're not a kid anymore, it's not like I can tell you what to do or who to be with. You're my son, and I'll always have your back, no matter what," she said seriously before frowning. "And since we're being honest and all – stop cutting your hair."
Shikamaru raised an eyebrow at that, wondering what that had to do with anything.
"I know you cut it because you figured that looking so much like your father would hurt me," she said evenly, eyes clouding the slightest bit. "But I'm not that fragile. And you actually look more like me anyway. So don't cut your hair anymore – unless you want to," she tempered. "I'm really not so old yet that I need my son to protect me!" she added with a huff.
Shikamaru chuckled and raised his hands up in defense. "Okay, duly noted. Sorry for being considerate, I'll try not to do it again," he replied easily.
Yoshino rolled her eyes, momentarily satisfied, before her mouth twisted in what almost looked like a pout. "But an Inuzuka? Really?" she muttered, looking towards the ceiling as though it was the lamp's fault that her son had such bad taste – clearly, he hadn't inherited that from her.
Shikamaru just chuckled and shrugged helplessly at that. "He grows on you," he offered.
"Whatever. Just…try to keep it to yourselves for some time, okay?" she said with a long-suffering sigh as she seemed to accept the inevitability of children giving you headaches no matter how old they were.
Shikamaru sighed as he looked at the lamp too. Muttering about how troublesome it was under his breath, he let out a deep breath before talking once more. "Yeah, about that…"
"I'm telling you, I'm not even sure my eardrums are still there," Shikamaru stated as Kiba grabbed his face between his hands to humor him.
"Well if they aren't, the removal was clean and precise!" the Inuzuka wisecracked as he pretended to have a look.
"I don't even know why I bother," Shikamaru muttered as he swatted his hands away, massaging his temples. "I'd forgotten how shrill her screams could sound."
"At least she's somewhat okay with us, right?" Kiba asked back with a grin as he wrapped his arms around his neck to pull him back against him, slumped as they were on his couch.
Shikamaru sighed as he leaned his head back on his shoulder. "Can you change clans and gender overnight? In that order, specifically," he asked sarcastically.
"Nope," Kiba replied cheerfully as he nuzzled his cheek.
"Good," the Nara was forced to concede as he closed his eyes contentedly. "Still, I'd avoid her for a while if I were you – give her some time to get used to the idea," he then told him, because that was best mentioned before she tried to kill him.
Kiba's snort at this wasn't nearly as off-putting as most would think – but rather endearing, really. "You don't have to tell me twice," he muttered.
Shikamaru grinned languidly as he tugged the arms surrounding him closer. "Ino and Chouji honestly thought it was Omoi," he then told him, because that was too funny not to mention. "They even dragged him along so I'd talk to him!"
Kiba chuckled in amusement, with even Akamaru chiming in. "He's not bad, I'll give him that. And he actually uses his head, like you. Plus he's someone you really get along well with, so I guess I can see why they might've thought that," he mused with a grin.
"Jealous?" Shikamaru asked with a lazy smile.
"Pah, not of Omoi!" was the matter-of-fact reply.
The shadow-nin opened one eye in interest at this. "Oh? Of who, then?"
"You know very well," Kiba muttered as he looked to the side.
Shikamaru's grin widened as absently ran a hand over his arm. "Mom actually tried that card, you know. 'What about Temari, Shikamaru? I though the two of you had a thing'," he quoted.
"A thing, huh?" the other man repeated darkly. "So what'd 'you say?"
"That as far as things are concerned I like yours better."
Kiba's eyes widened at this as he gaped openly. "You didn't!" he said as Shikamaru turned to face him, completely serious. "Shit, you actually did, didn't you?" he realized as he saw his expression didn't change.
"That's when I lost my eardrums," the Nara informed him plainly with a wince as he remembered. He knew he'd keep paying for that, but he hadn't been able to help it, riling his mother up was too easy, and the set-up had been too good to pass up on. "I blame you, by the way."
"Oh I'm absolutely okay with taking the blame on that one!" Kiba assured him happily as he pulled him against his lips before he was forced to break it off as he thought of something and laughed. "Hey, Shika?"
"What?" the other man asked with a frown, somehow dreading his coming words.
"I like your thing, too," the Inuzuka informed him with all the poise of a five-year-old before promptly laughing again.
Shikamaru groaned as he slumped back against him, smirking as he figured he'd brought it upon himself. "Prove it," he said instead as he raised his head to look at him, liking the spark of challenge he saw into the other's eyes.
Kiba obviously had no qualms taking him up on it, even if he did want to clear something else first. "Hey…this time, promise you'll spend the night?" he asked him seriously as he held his gaze.
Shikamaru didn't even need to think about it. "This time, I promise you'll actually have to kick me out of bed." And that seemed to be just what the other man wanted to hear, which was good, he figured. When Kiba later asked him how he felt, he just smiled lazily and said, "I'm okay and you were great." Those same words that Kiba had told him in Suna all those months back, those same words that had thrown him in for another spin.
Saying them back felt oddly fulfilling – seeing the recognition pass in Kiba's eyes was even better. And actually allowing himself to hold him as they fell asleep felt like coming home.
TBC
In a lot of fics, Yoshino is either a 100% supportive or the complete opposite. The way I see it, she'd stand by her son even if she actively disapproved of his choices.
Don't think I'm done here, this is only the beginning! :)