AN: This one is set when Naruto is 20 and Neji is 21. They are happily in love and have been living together for a while. It's super sweet, hence the title. I'm writing this series purely to entertain myself. Come along for the ride if you want…

Neji was exhausted. He'd just endured an hour-long debriefing after coming off a tough A-rank mission, complete with dramatics by Lee and Guy sensei, and arrived home ready to fall into bed for a week.

As soon as he stepped through the door, he heard Naruto's enthusiastic greeting.

"Neji!"

Neji barely had the energy to muster up a smile before Naruto launched at him, wrapping him up in a squeezing hug, his scalding body heat seeping into Neji's flesh and bones.

I'm home.

Immensely relieved, Neji sagged in Naruto's arms, letting his partner take the weight.

Naruto giggled and buried his nose in Neji's hair.

"I missed you."

"I wish I'd had the luxury of missing you," Neji replied, too tired to filter his words.

"Rough mission?"

"Brutal," Neji answered.

"Everyone okay?" Naruto checked.

"Yes."

"Good."

Pressed this close together, Neji could feel that Naruto was aroused. It made him smile to know he had such an effect on his partner. Naruto made his intentions crystal clear when he began to press kisses to Neji's neck. It felt good, and Neji was happy to go with it as long as Naruto didn't expect anything too vigorous. The best he could do to was fasten his arms around Naruto to signal that he was happy to keep him close. Naruto's mouth found Neji's, and his kisses grew in intensity as Naruto guided him to the bed, easing him down and climbing over the top of him. Their mouths met again, and Neji kissed back lazily, his languid attempts at reciprocation being swallowed up by Naruto's enthusiasm, which worked just fine for him. Naruto getting carried away always made Neji feel especially desirable.

Naruto's hands were everywhere, jutsu-roughened palms and fingertips, caressing Neji's skin wherever they could find it. Neji hummed with contentment at the familiar touch.

"Let me take care of you," Naruto offered.

"Yes," Neji agreed. "Please..."

Naruto straightened up, still straddling him, smiling down with fondness, big blue eyes sparkling.

"I dunno how you do it, Neji. Manage to look so irresistibly beautiful, no matter what state you're in."

All he could do was laugh at the clumsy compliment. Naruto grinned back and then went to work, removing Neji's clothes for him, interspersing the task with reverent kisses and touches.

He really did miss me, and I love that he's unafraid to show it.

Neji lay on his back, compliant as Naruto undressed him, and then watched on, lazy and appreciative, while Naruto stripped off his own clothes.

Neji was fit, but his body wasn't as taught and lean as Naruto's. Every muscle of Naruto's was visible under his tanned skin, even without the byakugan. It was a body honed by the more physically demanding form of taijutsu he practiced, each muscle a coiled spring filled with explosive potential. Neji began to raise his hand, intending to touch what Naruto offered to him in love, not war, but his arm felt like lead since the exertion of the mission. He gave up on the idea, but before his hand could fall to the mattress again, Naruto gripped his wrist and lifted it for him, guiding Neji's fingers across his hot, smooth chest, corded muscles rippling beneath his skin.

He's extraordinary. I'm the luckiest man alive.

Neji's exhaustion fogged brain couldn't put words together like he wanted, so he just offered something true.

"Beautiful isn't a strong enough word for what you are."

Naruto didn't say anything, he just leaned down and caught Neji's mouth in a long, deep kiss.

A perfect reply…

With their mouths still locked, he felt Naruto's hand trailing down his side, over his butt, fingers dipping inside him.

"I won't drag this out," Naruto breathed. "I know you're tired."

Neji wanted to say he didn't mind, Naruto could do anything he wanted to with him, but he left it, and used the last of his energy to wrap his arms around Naruto's shoulders, so grateful to be home with him.

"I've got you," Naruto soothed. "I've always got you."

"Please..." Neji managed.

"Okay," Naruto breathed, adjusting his position, then sliding inside Neji, stretching him, stealing everything he had left.

Naruto rode him, in and out, narrowing the world down to their joining. Neji felt at risk of losing himself, his mind was reduced to uncontrollable emotions and his body a flood of sensation, but he trusted Naruto completely.

It's okay to be vulnerable with him.

Naruto's breath was hot on his collarbone, his unruly hair brushing Neji's cheek. When Naruto's movement jolted, Neji knew he'd finished and then Naruto sagged heavily on top of him, nuzzling into Neji's hair.

"I'm glad you're home," he murmured.

"As am I. Just stay right there..."

Happy, content, safe, loved, with his partner's comforting weight on top of him, Neji drifted off to sleep, full of all the things he never thought he'd have, and the knowledge that there was one reason for it all.

Naruto, I love you...

AN: I began writing this series when I was rewatching Naruto, and the beginning of Naruto Shippuden. At that time I had only seen about a third of Shippuden, so if anything beyond that point doesn't fit with canon, that's why. I tried to adjust things as I learned more of the story, but some things couldn't be reconciled, so I see this story as AU from the beginning of the war. Still, I just wanted to write a sweet what-if, and working on this story was a welcome distraction from RL. I've waited until now to begin posting this, because I've FINALLY finished the show (after a ten-year hiatus because I absolutely snapped it when Sakura told Naruto she loved him). Anyway, I didn't want any spoilers accidentally dropped in the comments, or to inadvertently post anything super disrespectful to canon. Knowing what I know now, I'm even more determined to give Neji this happy ending. Thanks for reading. (Oh yeah, and this series has about 30 parts.)