It was wrong.
The way his darkened eyes met hers over the rim of his teacup, the way his tongue slowly poked out between his raspberry lips to lick up the few wayward droplets. The way his slow, deep chuckle reverberated even in the loud bustling restaurant as his old teammates began another one of their infamous arguments. The way she felt her eyes dart back to him every few seconds. The way her legs clenched as she prayed to every deity that exists that Kiba, who sat directly to her left, wouldn't pick up on the smell of arousal that undoubtedly clung onto her whenever he was in the same room.
She forcibly tore her eyes away from him. They were in an establishment packed with the most formidable and stellar ninjas that Konoha had to offer; and had it not been for their tendency to let their guards drop around their fellow comrades, as well as the deeply engrained trust that they had placed in their future Hokage, then they perhaps would have uncovered the truth behind this illustrious affair months ago. However they knew Naruto, and she was not the type of person to be the subject of scandal. So they took no note of the heated looks she shot towards the Jonin Commander, no note of the way she seemed to find every, any excuse possible to be sent to the Hokage's Tower.
She knew this was wrong. He was her friend, a trusted comrade, someone she will be forced to work with for the rest of her life. He wasn't some cheap fling she could discard, not that the thought had ever crossed her mind once she finally had a taste of him, but he deserved better. Perhaps she deserved better. If they felt the need to lie, then perhaps this wasn't right.
But then she remembered lips. Lip dragging down her neck. Lips down her stomach. Tongue tracing her skin, leaving circles on her hips. Teeth scraping—
It felt too good to not be right. So when Shikamaru Nara's eyes met hers across the crowded room, a question reflected in his dark irises, she nodded ever so slightly. Screw what was right, she deserved a bit of fun.
Naruto was forced to re-examine her definition of a 'bit of fun' as Shikamaru's fingers dug into her thighs, lifting her with ease as he pinned her against his bedroom wall. She locked her ankles instinctively, forcing their hips into closer proximity, relishing the deep groan she was certain he did not mean to release. His tongue rolled against hers expertly, her eyes basically crossing as he scraped his teeth across her bottom lip. Her fingers were tangled within the curls on the nape of his neck, tugging them with reckless abandon.
This was a practiced waltz by now. He has had her in this position enough times to know the quickest and most effective ways to make her come completely undone, and Shikamaru Nara was nothing if not a quick study. Every brush of his fingers was intentional, every hooded glance, every tantalizing kiss. He was too conniving, too seductive to not know exactly what his actions do to her. Once upon a time, she had thought it all to be an accident, for surely Shikamaru Nara was unaware as to the seemingly inexplainable affect that he has on the opposite sex?
As the man in question settled between her thighs, his teeth scraping her skin, a loud moan forcibly tore from her throat. No, she knows him better now. What she had once attributed to unintentional touches were now seen as deliberate seduction. The last three months had taught her much about the man she had once claimed was an open book.
Three months ago:
She wore her best dress for the event; a royal blue strapless gown that Ino had forced her to buy weeks ago in preparation for this very gala. Why the Konoha Hospital felt the need to hold an entire gala in order to thank their numerous benefactors while parading their impressive line up of healers is beyond her; but Naruto never complained about the chance for some free food.
The sheer opulence of the gala was staggering. The party was being hosted in the only ballroom in the Hokage tower, a room Naruto was actually unaware existed until today, with floor to ceiling glass windows and marble floors. Moonlight peered through the glass, helping to further illuminate the already well lit room, golden colored walls basically shining and reflecting off the marbled floors. Countless people intermingling, a few dancing in the middle of the room, some camped out near the towering buffet full of culturally diverse food that she couldn't hope to pronounce, with others just milling about securing any and all political connections they can.
Naruto did not get invited to events such as these, she doubted she ever would, not at least until that Hokage hat rested on her head. She was neither a staff member nor wealthy enough to be a benefactor, but Sasuke had been pouring the seemingly infinite Uchiha wealth into the hospital for ages now, and dragged her along as his plus one. Most of their friends were in attendance today, especially considering most of them were the children of Clan leaders and thus invited to fancy events such as these all of the time. Sasuke had abandoned her side a while ago actually in order to converse with some council members, something about restarting the police department? Naruto couldn't be bothered with the political discussions this evening, so she stood off to the side, under an alcove which she had hoped was hidden by the shadows, as she attempted to drink the atrocity that they attempted to pass off as champagne.
It had been a tiring week for her, she has just come from a diplomatic mission in Iwa and was in no mood to hear the tittering and tattering of bored politicians all evening. The only reason she had agreed to come to this sham of a gala was because Sasuke had flashed the infuriating Uchiha puppy eyes at her, and she was incapable of staying stoic in the face of such adorable begging.
"The champagne is horrendous, whatever happened to good old fashioned sake?" A droll voice broke her from her musings.
Naruto felt her lips slightly curl into a small smirk, "And here I thought you were born and bred for events such as these, Jonin Commander."
Shikamaru scowled as he scratched the back of his neck, "Well, Jonin Uzumaki, I find myself in the dear need of a reprieve this evening. There is only so many times I can avoid the handsy attentions of the Hospital Board of Directors before even I begin to tire."
Naruto used her hand to cover her snort, she had noticed the elderly woman who sat on the hospital board accost Shikamaru for more than just one dance this evening, but truth be told she was rather too focused on her own boredom to fully ponder the implications. Not that she could blame the older lady entirely, Shikamaru almost looked handsome this evening. A black suit with a matching black button up, a few buttons undone as he did not wear a tie. His hair was slicked back and pulled into a low ponytail, rather than the high pineapple-esque look he frequently wore.
"Why, you womanizer! Who knew that you were so popular with the ladies Shikamaru?" She had teased, her cerulean blue eyes basically twinkling against the shadows of their dark alcove.
Shikamaru's eyes glittered in amusement, a smirk curling onto his features as he leaned in conspiringly, "I am quite adept, care to find out for yourself?"
In hindsight, that was the beginning of the end.
Naruto's head tilted to the side, "Oh? Is this where you begin to seduce me?"
She had meant it as a joke, truly. For everyone knew Shikamaru Nara, hell, SHE knew Shikamaru Nara. He was lazy, incredibly intelligent, even a frightening ninja. A womanizer he was not. She had truly believed that at the time.
Shikamaru Nara knew it as well, which was why he let out an amused chuckle as he leaned into his comrade, "Well, before we get to all that, how about we find some fun at this stuffy party?"
"Fun? What kind of fun?" Naruto has questioned, intrigue coloring her very tone.
She didn't question the way her stomach swooped as he wrapped his fingers around her wrist, nor the way she basically gulped as he rasped into her ear, "First, lets get some quality drinks."
She had let him pull her out of the ballroom. She had dutifully followed as they made their way for the staircase and climbed up another two floors. She watched with rapt attention and a slightly slack jaw as Shikamaru unflinchingly picked the lock to the Hokage's office. Giggled as they ran out of the room with two of Tsunade's bottles of sake that she keeps hidden in her 'secret stash'. Assisted him with locating the perfect balcony overlooking the gala across the courtyard to celebrate their successful heist. Laughed jovially as the always put together and 'un-fun' Shikamaru took a swig out of the bottle before passing it to her.
"You were right, this is much better than the swill they tried to pass off as champagne." Naruto acknowledged as she took a generous gulp herself, sinking onto the marbled floor, "I'm not sure how any of them keep a straight face as they drink it."
Shikamaru unbuttoned his jacket, slipping it off with ease and placing into onto the floor so that they may sit on it, before taking a seat directly besides her, "Go to enough of these horrendous things and you begin to develop quite the poker face."
Naruto scrunched her nose in distaste, "Yeah, no thanks. One gala in this lifetime is more than enough, thank you."
"When you become Hokage, you'll be going to at least thirty of these each year."
Not if. When. When she becomes Hokage.
"Well, when that happens I'll just have to rope you into being my date so that I have someone to suffer with."
"Why, Miss. Uzumaki, are you propositioning me?" Shikamaru drawled, his eyes lifted in amusement.
Naruto blushed as she knocked her shoulder into his, tearing the bottle from his grasp, almost hissing at the feeling of his fingers brushing against hers, "Oh shut up. I just mean I'll need someone highly decorated in order to make sure I don't make a complete fool of myself when I eventually tire of boring political conversations."
"Consider me flattered," Shikamaru smirked wickedly, "But for the record, I would have agreed to the date regardless, no need to fabricate some logical reasoning behind it."
Naruto cackled, "Wow, you really are trying to prove this whole womanizer thing, huh?"
Shikamaru looked down at her as he accepted the bottle from her, his lips wrapping around it as he took a sip, "How am I doing so far?"
Naruto would swear to any Kami for months to come that she had no visible reaction to his deep voice asking such a sinful question, but to hear Shikamaru tell it, she blushed oh so prettily. Tinges of red dusting her whispered cheeks and neck, highlighting her clavicle and hint of cleavage. Her hair had been pinned up into a high and messy bun, tendrils of golden locks framing her face perfectly. The deep blue of the floor length sleeveless gown only highlighted the sparkles in her crystal blue eyes, for Shikamaru thought she had looked enchanting.
Naruto smiled coyly, "Too soon to tell, perhaps you need to continue working on your technique?"
Shikamaru felt his lips turn up, "Well, far be it for me to deny a gorgeous woman's request."
Naruto rose up, "Well I for one plan on taking advantage of your magnanimous mood. Shikamaru Nara may I have this dance?"
Shikamaru couldn't keep back the chuckle if he tried. Rising smoothly on his feet, he gently took her hand as he stepped close to her, "I would be delighted."
Naruto was not the tallest woman, but her heels made her soar passed any semblance of regular height, yet still Shikamaru towered above her. He held her firmly against him, one hand mere centimeters above her waist, the other grasping her hand in his own. They could still faintly hear the orchestra from the gala in the distance, and they used the melody to guide their steps: one, two, three. Across the small balcony they waltzed, the moonlight illuminating the pair as they felt themselves swept up in the romance and heat of it all.
"So, Shikamaru, when did you become fun?"
Shikamaru tossed her a faux affronted look, "I'm always fun."
Naruto giggled, "Perhaps, but not steal-alcohol-from-the-Hokage and ditch-a-gala-with-me fun. So what gives?"
Shikamaru just hummed as he twirled the beautiful blonde in his arms, "Honestly? I was bored, and you looked far too beautiful tonight to look as bored as I, so I sought to fix it."
Naruto leaned her head on his chest as she pretended that his words were not the single nicest thing compliment any man has ever payed her.
They had spent hours there in their little balcony shrouded by darkness, trading quips and flirtatious banter. An accidental touch here, a slip of his fingers there, that by the time they watched the ballroom across the courtyard begin to wrap up their party, Naruto was on the edge of complete and utter ruin. So when Shikamaru finally leaned his head down to capture her lips in a steering kiss, Naruto wasted no time in wrapping her arms around his neck and dragging him down on the floor atop her.
She had never felt so… dirty. So depraved. So amazingly wonderfully good. He was an artist tracing his tongue along her curves like a canvas, and she was powerless to stop his dedication. Not that she would have ever wanted him to stop. In fact she had loudly and emphatically put his name up their with a deity as she basically begged him to never stop.
Present:
Their very first time was right there on that balcony. As was their second time. Their third was that very same night, but a few blocks down the road at Shikamaru's apartment. An apartment she quickly became intimately familiar with as they continued for a fourth and fifth time before the day broke.
With the light of day came the time for conversation, yet that conversation never occurred due to Shikamaru's lips being far to busy doing other much more satisfying things. Yet duty calls, and she soon had to slip out of his window and run to training with her team, and to the confrontation of a deeply annoyed Sasuke who was perturbed that she had ditched him and left him all alone at the gala the night before. For the weeks following, Naruto would try to find time to get Shikamaru alone, but every time they were allowed even a hint of privacy, they continued the very same acts that they had started on that balcony. Then Shikamaru went on a mission, and when he came back they had missed their cardinal pleasures far too much, and as the weeks went on the time to talk had come and gone. Now it had been three months, and they had found their odd little routine.
They weren't dating. It wasn't anything as clean or as romantic as all that. Hell, they barely talked enough as is, other than the wickedly seductive words that Shikamaru tended to whisper between acts of pleasure. No they weren't dating, they were merely enjoying themselves in the way that made sense for them.
They were busy adults, and dating made no sense for either of them. Naruto rationalized it to herself months ago when they first began this, whatever it was. But she was one of the most important Jonin's, regularly sent out on missions and never home enough to establish any sort of meaningful relationship. And Shikamaru? Well he was the Jonin Commander, making him her boss, which was a whole other conflict of interest before they even start considering all of the drama between friends and the whole Temari thing too.
So no, they weren't dating. They didn't even want to date, they liked their routine. There was no need for pesky feelings to get mixed up when they had such a good thing going on for them, nor was their any need to let their nosey friends in on their personal matters. No ones opinion mattered when it came to this, no one outside of Naruto and Shikamaru, so they had kept to themselves. It was private. Sacred. Theirs and theirs alone.
It wasn't a daily thing, at least it wasn't meant to be, but whenever one of them was particularly stressed or in need of release they would seek the other out, at either Shikamaru's apartment or one of Naruto's regular haunts. If they happened to spend more nights together then not, well, then it wasn't their faults that they had particularly stressful jobs.
It wasn't a healthy vice, they knew that. It wasn't particularly smart either, Shikamaru could attest to that. But it was fun. It was addicting. And neither could bring themselves to care much for the repercussions as long as they were able to continue what they had begun that fateful night.
"I've got to go," Naruto forcibly pulled herself away from Shikamaru was a smile, which turned wider as Shikamaru grumbled in annoyance, his lips leaving little kisses on her thighs as she rose to get dressed.
"It's still early, not even midnight yet," Shikamaru groaned, attempting the coax the vixen back into bed.
"I've been coming home late every night for the past week," Naruto rationalized as she slipped on her t-shirt, "Sakura may not be the most observant roommate but I'm pretty sure she's going to realize that I'm not spending all of my time training in the forbidden forest."
"Very well," Shikamaru sighed deeply as he eased back into bed, "Don't forget you and I have a meeting tomorrow morning, eight o'clock sharp."
Naruto's eyebrows shot into the sky, a flirtatious grin spreading across her face, "Oh? What kind of meeting, Jonin Commander?"
Shikamaru groaned, "Don't do this to me if you're not planning on getting back into bed. But it's a real meeting, Tsunade will be there too. I think she has a mission for the two of us."
Naruto grinned, before swooping down and giving him a kiss, "Sounds fun, see you then."
No, they weren't dating. Sometimes Naruto wasn't sure how she should feel about that.
Shikamaru Nara had an incredibly busy morning. He was up with the break of dawn, and even with a restful night of sleep, which last night was not the case, he was never a morning person. But the life of a Jonin Commander does not wait for him to wake up at noon, so thus at dawn his work commenced. Countless files and confidential paperwork all stacked atop his desk, meticulously organized in just the way he liked it.
His office was directly besides the Hokage's, and at exactly eight o'clock he heard the booming voice of his late night companions echo as she kicked down her superiors door, "Good morning Baa-Chan!"
Shikamaru chuckled as he rose from his desk, making his way to the Hokage's office, as the two blonde women traded bards and sarcasm.
"Ladies," he lazily drawled, "it's a bit too early in the morning for all of this yelling."
Shikamaru could tell that Naruto was thinking about the last time she yelled in his presence, only the night before under the comfort of his bedsheets, as the blush crawled above the color of her black jacket.
"Nara, stop being so lazy and sit down, I have something important to talk to the two of you about," Tsunade commanded with a roll of her eyes.
Naruto flopped into the seat besides him, her feet planted on the Hokage's desk, and her hands cradling the back of her head, "What's up Baa-Chan? Another war to plan?
Tsunade's eye visibly twitched as she replied, "No you moron, and get your feet off my table!"
Naruto rolled her eyes as she complied, "Then what's up?"
"The council is spearheading a new organization, one that I think would be quite beneficial to Konoha, and be of interest to you both."
This had finally gotten Shikamaru's sleepy attention, "What's the organization?"
"Konoha Youth and Orphan Initiative. An organization all created to help those whose parents have died in the line of duty. We're not 100% certain as to what the initiative would fully entail, but I can think of no other candidates to help get this off the ground. So, what do you say?"
Neither had to think for even a moment before they immediately answered in tandem, "I'm in."
Shikamaru couldn't help the smirk that grew as Naruto flopped onto his office couch with a groan once the door had closed behind them.
"There's no much work to do," Naruto lamented, "We need to think about finances, and resources, and of course find out how many people qualify to be recipients—"
"Relax Naruto," Shikamaru said as he eased into his seat, "We have a lot of time to figure it all out. And we'll do so, together."
Fuck. Well, when he said things like that it really made it hard to remember the whole 'No dating' thing.
Naruto coughed awkwardly, "Right. So… we going to be spending a lot of time together… huh?"
Naruto wasn't nervous. She didn't get nervous. She wasn't.
But as Shikamaru strolled lazily towards her and swept her into what was perhaps the deepest and greatest kiss of her life, she couldn't help the loud thundering in her chest.
Breaking away from her, and placing his lips next to her ear, she gulped as he whispered, "We're going to be very busy these next few weeks, so try not to get too distracted by me."
She blushed as Shikamaru kept away from her with a laugh.
Damn that lazy bastard.