Naruto sighed in contentment. This really is the best idea I've ever had…
He was soaking in the tub, it was so convenient having it in their home. Now that he was as big as he was, it made things a lot easier. The warm water wrapped around him, soothing his body that was being pushed to it's limits. Only a month to go…
He felt nice and relaxed by the time he heard Neji arrive home. Because he didn't greet Neji at the door, Neji knew where to find him. He appeared in the doorway, smiling softly.
"How are you feeling?"
"Good now. Hop in with me."
Neji washed up and climbed into the tub, wrapping his arms around him from behind.
"Mmm…" Naruto sighed, utterly content, leaning back against the man he loved.
"It won't be long now," Neji said, gliding his hands over Naruto's round belly.
"Yeah… Do you remember when we first tried this tub out? I knew then that I wanted this future for us."
"Yes, you were so generous. You told me you'd make me a father. I knew you could do it, you can do anything. You truly are the most incredible person I've ever met, and I'm not just saying that because I'm madly in love with you, it would be true in any case," Neji concluded, pressing a kiss to his cheek. I love the way he loves me.
"You know why I can do the things I do? It's the people around me. First it was Sasuke, I just wanted to outdo him. But then Iruka sensei was nice to me, and I wanted to be better for him, not me. That changed me, and since then you've all inspired me to fight for you. But Neji, you're different again, because I don't just want to do things for you, I want to do things with you, and knowing we are in this together, knowing this kid is gonna be equal parts me and you, that's really special, you know?"
"It is. I feel the same. You've made me happier than I ever dreamed possible. I love sharing a life with you. And soon," Neji said, caressing Naruto's belly. "We'll share it with our child too."
"Yeah, we'll be a family. A real family. Do you think we're ready?"
"Practically, yes. We have everything we need."
"But the rest is a little scary, huh?"
I've never been part of a family, so I don't know what to expect.
"I'm not worried," Neji told him. "I know you think you might not know what to do, but you know all the things that can hurt a child and I know you'll do everything you can to prevent those things. We both will. And as for the rest of it, we'll figure it out together."
He's right. Together, we've got this.
Just then he felt the baby move. He knew Neji felt it too.
"He's moving."
"Yeah," Naruto agreed. "He likes it when you touch us."
Neji smiled against his cheek and released a soft wave of chakra through his palms. It flowed through to their baby, who's movements increased. Naruto smiled and gently pushed back with his fingertips, so their son knew both his parents were waiting to meet him.
"What do you think he'll be like, Neji? Do you think he'll be a genius like you?"
"By the feel of it, I think he might be a handful like you."
"Hey!" Naruto said, but he wasn't offended at all. Imagining all the things their son might inherit from them, the things they would share, made him incredibly happy.
"I hope he has your eyes," Naruto said.
"So he's powerful?"
"That would be nice for him, but I just want to see you every time I look at him."
"I hope he gets features from both of us. I want to see both of us in him. He'll be proof of how much we love each other."
Naruto turned his head and looked into Neji's lilac eyes, so serious and full of love. It still amazes me, how much he wants me.
"For everyone else, because I already have that from you."
He pressed his lips to Neji's, happy when Neji reciprocated, glad that Neji was used to his appearance now and didn't hesitate. They kissed slow and deep for a long time, until the water started to cool.
Naruto leaned back and smiled.
"As much as I'm enjoying this, I better get out of this bath before I turn into a prune."
"Mmm," Neji agreed, bringing Naruto's hand up to brush his fingertips across his lips. "Anything you say."
Naruto giggled, Neji had been kissed thoroughly into contentment.
"You just see me now, don't you?"
"I'm used to this form now, yes. I still prefer you male though."
"I know, not long now."
"It's fine," Neji said, helping him out of the bath. "Your experience is much tougher than mine."
"Yes and no," Naruto said, accepting the towel Neji wrapped around him. "Physically it is demanding, but growing him inside me, it's amazing. I love it. Having him with me all the time..."
He smiled down at his belly. Of course, he'd never been alone in this body, Kurama had always been there, but their son was his to nurture and protect. I always relied on Kurama, but my baby relies on me.
He looked up and met Neji's soft gaze.
"He's so lucky to have you, Naruto. You're an incredible parent already."
Naruto felt his cheeks warm up, thinking of himself as a parent was still kind of unbelievable. Suddenly, he could feel one of those mood swings coming on, one that was gonna leave him in tears. I'm so happy. Am I really allowed to have it all?
"Come here," he said, stretching his arms out for Neji who instantly obliged, wrapping him up as tight as he was able. Neither of them said anything more, both of them understanding that what they were doing was bigger than any words could ever say.