I'm here for you

Chapter 22

A week passed by, throughout the week Shikamaru and Naruto didn't meet, Most of the time Naruto was able to sleep peacefully, the nightmares didn't bother him, he wondered why he didn't go to Inoichi sooner, he would've been all better, he wouldn't have bothered Shikamaru and he wouldn't have fallen in hopeless love with him.

Falling in love with the Nara was more painful than having nightmares constantly, during the past week he avoided Shikamaru, the reason was because Temari has started to stay in Konaha to get used to the atmosphere, and she would always be with Shikamaru.

This served as a constant reminder to Naruto that Shikamaru doesn't belong to him, the nara has temari with him and that they are dating and soon would get married. The more he thought about it, the more it pained his heart.

Why does it have to be Shikamaru of all people? Why does he keep falling in love with wrong person? The time with Hinata couldn't even compare with Shikamaru's. 

Naruto sighed as he walked towards his some barbeque place that Choji had recommended, today was their monthly friends hangout day, his heart palipitated at the thought of meeting the Nara, his palms got sweaty, he was nervous, what should he say? What should he do?  When should he greet him? How should he greet him? All sorts of useless questions filled his  mind.

Suddenly there was a arm around his shoulder which made him snap out of his thoughts, Naruto turned his head a bit to see who it was,"Kiba?" 

Kiba grinned,"Yes Naruto."

Naruto too smiled, kiba was the only one who knows about his situation, he was the only one Naruto talked about the feelings he had for the Nara, and Kiba was a nice friend who understood everything and even provided some advice.

Although most of the time he would say 'Be brave and Confess!'  

"Are you nervous." Kiba asked still not removing his hand from around his shoulder and Naruto left him be,"Nervous? Why would I be?"

Kiba rolled his eyes,"Don't try to pretend, I know you are nervous to meet a certain NAra, look even your hands are sweaty." As he said this Kiba took Naruto's hand in his own. "Man I am telling you to confess, I am 100% sure, he has feelings for you."

The second Kiba said this, Naruto shook his to decline that claim,"He doesn't." Naruto noticed that they were already at the place barbeque place,"Come on let's go in." He said to change the subject. Kiba knew that Naruto was trying to escape so he didn't push further as he let out a sigh.

Shikamaru saw the way Kiba and Naruto entered, Kiba with his one hand around Naruto's shoulder and the other hand holding Naruto's  hand, they looked very intimate, and Shikamaru found himself gripping on the sake cup tightly, a small crack appeared at the corner and if applied a bit more force the cup would break.

"Are you okay?" Temari who was sitting besides him asked.

Shikamaru snapped out of it as he loosened his grip and nodded,"Yeah I am okay." No he was not okay. He was exact opposite of okay.

Naruto and Kiba sat down infront of him, his eyes met Naruto's who instantly looked away, there was a stabbing pain in his heart, a second later Naruto looked up, this time their eyes connecting for a longer period of time,"Hi..." Naruto mumbled shyly making Shikamaru's heart race.

Shikamaru cleared his throat, as he tried to get few words out,"How have you been?"

"Okay and you?" I missed you

"I was fine too." I missed you a lot.

They both smiled softly, slowly slowly everyone arrived, chatter going all over the table, they both took part occasionaly while stealing glances of each other, they both used passing food as an excuse to gain a slight touch of warmth, the one they both missed a lot.

When shikamaru would pass Naruto some greens, their fingers touched for a few seconds longer.

When Naruto handed him the glass of water, Shikamaru would take it as a chance to hold the other's hand.

Like this way the whole evening passed by, with both them looking at each other with looks full of longing.
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Author's Note:

Sorry for the late update, lately bad stuff has been going on in my life and I am having a hard time dealing with them.

Anyway Soon the long awaited moment will arrive, you won't have to wait too long. If you know what I am talking about that is, Also as I said in the last chapter, this fiction is coming to an end, 5-8 chapters more, that's it.

Hope you guys vote and comment, thankyou for reading.