/Temari/
Another day waking up next to Shikamaru. It's become a routine. Sometimes it's in my bed, sometimes in his, but it rarely fails. We've reached a point where we don't go more than 48 hours without seeing each other and the company of the other is already a daily occurrence.
As usual, we spend the morning stuck in the methodology of getting dressed, eating, getting ready, putting on our shoes and each going our separate ways. He has training and I'm going for a walk before school.
I'm almost back home when I get a call from Anko, she likes the house and I'm hoping she'll take the room.
- Good morning! - I greet her through the mobile device.
- Good morning! Would you like to know if the offer is still open? - she asks cheerfully.
- Of course it is!
- Perfect! We'll sort everything out when you're available. I'd be grateful to be your flatmate. - I smile at her reply, suddenly my monthly rent has dropped, my wallet, or rather my father's wallet, is grateful.
- This afternoon you can start moving in. We'll be waiting for you after the dance class, you sign the contract and everything's ready. The landlord has already given us a copy to find a colleague, just read it and write your name at the bottom. - I explain.
- We're set. See you later. - we say goodbye and I return with a smile on my face.
I turn the key in the lock and walk in to find Ten on the sofa watching TV while eating a bowl of cereal.
- Our future housemate is arriving today! - I announce happily - Get the house in order until Karui's class.
- That's great! - she says happily - But why do I have to clean it myself? - her face is now wary.
- You just need to give this communal area a good clean, I've already cleaned the bathrooms on the weekend and I'm going to see if I can clean Anko's room this afternoon. - I explain.
- Okay then, but hurry up or we'll be late! - she says, even though she's not even dressed yet.
- I think you have me confused with someone else. Unlike some people, I'm almost ready, it won't take me ten minutes, so get dressed before we're really late.
- All right, I'm coming. - she grumbles and gets up to wash her cup.
We each went our separate ways and went to class together.
The day went quickly and suddenly I find myself ready for my dance class. According to what I've heard, today's class is about dancing something more contemporary, so it will be to the sound of Tom Odell's Another love. This type of dance isn't my forte, but I'll give it my best shot.
- Good morning, beautiful students! - says Karui with her usual smile, turning on the music for the warm-up.
With each new step I got more lost, but it's a good thing I know how to fake it because nobody told me anything. The truth is that these classes are just for self-improvement and not for competition, which makes their studio special, everyone can do what they like without feeling pressurised to achieve perfection and we always have a good dose of fun.
- Are you ready for your new home? – Tenten asks Anko.
- I'm really looking forward to it! - she says with a very cute face that makes us laugh.
- I'm sure you'll love it! Let's go before Ino gets there! - I say.
- For your information, I'm going out with my boyfriend! - she replies offended.
- Have fun then! - I say and say goodbye to them, heading home with my two companions.
- Do you want to do the honours? - I ask and hand the keys to the house over to the new resident.
- You bet I do! - she smiles before unlocking the door.
Her things are being taken out of Tenten's car and I'm surprised when the weight of the box I'm carrying suddenly becomes lighter.
- Do you want some help? - a voice asks and when I lift my head I see a familiar hair.
- I'm glad you're here, Nara! Take that one to Anko's room and I'll take this last one. - I say and he nods, but steals a quick kiss as he passes me.
- Who's that? - asks Anko.
- Ino's cousin and my... well, I don't know, special friend, let's put it that way.
- Got it! - she replies and lifts the last box so that I can close the boot.
- Don't be alarmed if he turns up regularly. - I say and close the front door as I enter.
When she returns to the living room, the brunette gets up and holds out his hand for her to shake.
- You must be the new inhabitant of the house, Anko, right? - she nods. - I'm Shikamaru Nara, nice to meet you!
- What did you come here for anyway? - I ask before sitting down on the sofa.
- I've finished my appointments and I've come to surprise you with some time together! - he sits down next to me.
- Clearly we're not just the two of us here. And I can't leave the house today because I've got a report to finish. - I explain.
- It's okay, I just wanted to see you, I'll stay here with you while you work, I promise to behave. - he says with a look that he knows I can't resist.
- OK, you can stay, but you have to promise to let me work.
- I promise! - he says close to my ear and kisses the skin behind my ear.
- You guys are so cute! - Ten wakes us up from our trance.
- Always so funny! - I say wryly and drag Shika up the stairs, holding his wrist.
As I close the door, I feel his arm around my waist and his lips on the exposed part of my neck. I push him away from me, already a little annoyed.
- I meant it when I said I had to work! Sit on the bed and watch some game on your mobile phone or something! If you behave, in a while you'll get what you came for. - he makes a sad face, but lies down quietly on the bed, just as I asked. I move to the desk and start my report, but not without switching on the music to listen with my headphones.
Surprisingly, he coped well for the hour I finished work. He must have been watching some kind of football match, sometimes I heard him celebrating and then apologising afterwards. The blackmail worked well, I think I'll have to use it more often.
- Are you finished? - he asks hopefully and gets out of bed in a flash.
- Yes, I am! - I say seductively and approach him. He sits on the bed in a trance as I push his shoulders down and sit on his lap - But first, let's have dinner! - I cut him off, making him sad - Besides, I don't want to traumatise Anko!
- But you promised! - he grumbles indignantly.
- Nobody said you wouldn't have it. You'll just have to wait a little longer! - I reply.
- But I've already waited so long! - he says and gives his usual pout.
- No crying, please! Do you want to listen to some music? - I ask and head back to the desk to play the music again. The opening melody of Close fills the room and I get a smile from Shika - Do you know this song? - I ask in surprise.
- Of course I do. Nick is the best Jonas Brothers. - he replies.
- Of course not, Kevin is! - I counter.
- He doesn't even sing!
- There you go. He's too underrated, but he has incredible talent! - I defend my position.
- Anyway, they're better together. - he finally says and I agree.
When I get to the pre-chorus, I hear his voice singing in harmony and I get lost in the happy look on his face as he says those words. I couldn't resist joining him for the chorus, continuing with Tove Lo's part. The words come out of my mouth as a reflection of the memory of the times I've heard it over the years, but I can't help noticing how much its lyrics reflect my relationship with him.
We're both afraid to move on, but we can't keep our distance.
- You should really invest in music! - I say when I pause the song at the end.
- And so should you! - he says, sitting down on the bed.
- Compared to you, I'm like a seal in mating season.
- That's a lie! - he scolds me and holds out his hand for me to take and pulls it away when I reach him, leaving me standing between his legs at the end of the bed - I can't get enough of your voice, and I won't give up until you do more than just dance.
- This is the man who only thinks about football and doesn't care about what makes him happy. I see your face when you sing, your eyes don't lie.
- They look like that because I'm looking at the most beautiful person in the world! - he says and I give him an embarrassed push on the shoulder.
- You only say that because you want sex!
- Keep lying to yourself. You know that's not it, you're perfect, I can't look away! - he keeps his smile as he speaks and the sparkle in his eyes never fades.
- That's enough of this couple bickering! - I free myself from his embrace and lie down on the bed next to him, followed by him, who lets his torso fall backwards.
- Do you know where you're going for the Easter break? - he asks.
- I'm staying with my dad here. My brothers are coming to visit for Christmas and Easter and I'm going to the UAE for part of the summer. What about you? - I also ask.
- I'm going to visit my family in the Japanese countryside and spend some time with them. I wish I had more time for family, but the one here is always busy and the other one is half a world away.
- I completely understand. But we'll get through these two weeks, don't worry. I just hope you're not going to fall for some girl in Japan. - I don't want him going out with other girls without telling me first.
- Only if you promise not to get involved with another guy from here! - he refutes.
- Promise! - we shake hands in mutual agreement - Let's get some dinner, I'm getting hungry!
We left the room and went straight to the kitchen, where Ten, the fallen angel of the earth, had dinner waiting for us, a takeaway from the Chinese restaurant.
- I've brought what you asked for! - she hands Shikamaru the paper box and I'm confused - You've got the usual! - she hands me a box too.
- She texted me because she was afraid she'd go upstairs and we'd be in the middle of it! - he explains.
- Of course! You look like rabbits, I'm going to give Anko some earplugs, poor thing.
- What for? - the woman's voice reached my ears, taking me by surprise.
- Nothing. Tenten thinks she's very funny. - I say, with my chopsticks in hand and heading towards the table to eat – And for your information we didn't do anything.
- Yet! - she points.
- Shut up and eat! - I reply, my patience wearing thin.
- So, what about you girls, do you know what you're going to do for these two weeks without school? - Nara chats to them.
- I'm going to stay here, I'm not available to visit my family in Japan, I'm going to see them in the summer. - Tenten replies.
- I'm going to stay here too. I hope it'll be an opportunity to get to know everything around here better. - says Anko optimistically.
- You're right! You'll soon get to know everything and everyone like the back of your hand. It's a shame I won't be staying here too, but I'm going to visit my father who lives a few kilometres away.
- I'm going to visit family in the Japanese countryside. - says the brunette.
- I didn't realise you had family there! - Tenten says in surprise.
- My mum's side is all from there. Part of my natural beauty comes from my exotic side! - he says smugly.
- And is your self-centredness from there too, or is it from your father's side? - Ten teases him.
- Very funny! - he says wryly.
The rest of the dinner went on like this, when you put a self-centred person together with a person with no patience, it results in a lot of spats. But I know it's all in the friendship, they argue a lot, but deep down they really like each other. And it's strange how I have two completely opposite people so close to me.
Poor Anko seems quite lost, but she laughs along, I think she's also realised that deep down they love each other.
- Well, I've got to go, I'm off to my boyfriend's! Good luck with those two Anko, I'd listen to music if I were you. - Tenten gets up and goes upstairs to get ready.
I shake my head in indignation once again tonight. We clear the table and say goodbye to Anko, heading back to the bedroom.
- Don't think you'll escape me this time! - he says and locks the door.
- I wasn't thinking of escaping! - I say with a sly smile and pull him into a kiss. A kiss that quickly turns fierce and I find myself, shortly afterwards, completely naked on the bed and Bailey in the same state. I feel the tip of his member at my entrance and my anticipation kills me. Fuck the world, right now all that matters is the two of us, here, about to fulfil man's most carnal desires.
The first impulse comes without warning and my voice is out before I can contain it. His lips silence mine and the movements of his hips intensify.
It doesn't take long and we're both exhausted, lying side by side. Our quick, needy breaths would give away what we've just done, but it doesn't matter.
- I play guitar too! - he says as he regains his normal heartbeat - And drums! - he adds.
- I won't believe it until I see it! - I turn to look at him.
- You said to invest in music and I already have. Once, but I have! These days I don't have time. - he explains.
- That's because you don't have your priorities straight. Those who want it make it happen and I've spent enough time with you to realise that you're one of those who doesn't give up. There's something bigger stopping you, you just don't want to tell me. But don't worry, I respect that, I just wanted to encourage you to follow your talents.
- Thank you! - he says and strokes my cheek with a calm smile. I know you have secrets too and I'm not going to force you into anything. You must have more wounds than I do and I don't want to open them. - he kisses my forehead and then my lips before getting up.
I follow him and we get dressed, after all tomorrow is a school day and he wakes up early for training.
Downstairs Anko is watching TV with Tsuki on her lap and says goodbye to Shikamaru before he leaves with a quick kiss from me.
- It's nice to see that he likes you already! It is said they can see the goodness in people! - I said, referring to the cat and sat down next to them.
- I like him too! - she says tenderly, stroking the feline.
- I'm sorry if we've made too much noise or if we've disturbed you. - I say embarrassed.
- Don't worry, Tsuki and I didn't even hear you, even though I knew exactly what you were doing. I just turned up the volume and the problem was solved! - she hastens to explain.
- Good! - I breathe a sigh of relief - It would be a bad way to welcome you if I left you traumatised.
- You're very cute together, it's a shame you're not a couple.
- Our relationship is very complicated and even though we've only started talking recently, the story is complicated, and I don't even know his side of it. Maybe one day we'll both grow up and find our courage. Until then, we'll stay the same.