Love is such a drag! (Shikamaru x Temari)

Chapter 14:

Temari's POV
The silence that followed was cold as ice. Tension so thick that you could cut it with a knife. Or at least, that's probably what my brothers and Shikamaru were thinking. I, on the other hand, was radiating joy. He loved me. He loved me. And I loved him back. How impossibly perfect was that? I stared at Shikamaru, eyes wide and mouth agape. His face was flushed in a mixture of embarrassment and fear, and my brothers couldn't seem to process his words. Even Gaara's expressionless face had twisted. The events that followed happened in a flash. Kankuro slammed his hands against the table, stood up ferociously and grabbed Shikamaru by the collar.
-" Who the fuck do you think you are? Back off dude!"- He yelled. Shikamaru scowled.
-" I'm sorry Kankuro, but I'm merely stating a fact. I love her. And I'm sorry to say this, but it's really none of your business."- He said firmly, but leaving a trace of doubt after each word. I looked at my brother with a horrified expression as he lifted Shikamaru. He was about to throw a punch, but I caught his fist just in time.
-" Kankuro! Stop! What's wrong with you?!"- I asked angrily. He looked at me, furious.
-" Are you fucking kidding Tem?! You've been here for two weeks. Two weeks! And suddenly he's in love with you?! No fucking way! He just wants to sleep with you! I'll kill the bastard!"- He yelled as he sent Shikamaru a death glare.
-" No, you won't! You have no right!"- I said as I stood up to meet my brother's face.
-" Why the hell are you stopping me Temari?! Huh?! You're the one who's always complaining about guys! What's going on?!"- He asked in a demanding and crazy-sounding manner.
-" It doesn't concern you! It doesn't concern either of you!"- I said, looking down at the crimson-haired man that was still sitting on the table so it was clear that I was talking to both of them. He looked up at me with an annoyed expression and stood up.
-" Since when do you talk to me like that, Temari?"- He asked with a voice that had a very dangerous and cold edge.
-" Since you two act like complete assholes to Shikamaru!"- I yelled. He frowned deeply, making me shiver.
-" And why do you care, sister? Huh? Kankuro was right when he said you're the one who complains about guys! What's different about him?"- He asked angrily. I didn't know what to say. I was completely scared to tell them the truth... It just seemed like too dangerous a move. But Shikamaru's saddened expression hurt more than a thousand needles piercing my skin would. -" Answer me Temari! What's different about this good for nothing prick?!"- He asked, and I just... Snapped.
-" I LOVE HIM BACK, OKAY?! I'M IN LOVE WITH HIM!"- I yelled. My brothers' expression changed drastically to an indescribable mixture of different feelings. I felt as if a weight had been lifted off my chest, like the world had started to spin after a frozen era. But at the same time, I felt like I was made out of some sort of frail material that would crumble if anything went wrong. I turned my head to look at Shikamaru hesitantly, and what I found made my heart melt. The man's cheeks were glowing with a bright red color, and his eyes were wide open. His eyebrows had risen up to show astonishment and his jaw was threatening to drop. He explored my face with his adventurous gaze, not quite knowing what to do next. That gaze shared more of what he was feeling than I supposed he intended. It showed astonishment, disbelief, happiness, confusion, fear, lust and a predominant glint of utter love. He looked down, overwhelmed by the wave of different emotions, and I closed my eyes. I could feel my chest pumping wildly against my chest. I'd said it. He'd said it. What now? Were we supposed to just change the way we lived for this, whatever it was? And what about my brothers? Their eyes were thick with emotion, their lips sealed as they bit back a hundred thousand unspoken words. Kankuro's fists were clenched and tense, his knuckles whiter than the winter snow. As for Gaara, he seemed to be getting dizzy. His confused expression was both adorable and terrifying, since it was coming from him. Had the news really shaken him up that much? Was it really that big of a deal? I mean, sure, I'd be pretty socked if Gaara or Kankuro suddenly came home with a girlfriend. But I'd be happy for them. They'd be happy for me as well, right? I bit my lip in anticipation. -" Can you guys just say something? Please?"- I implored. Gaara cleared his throat, trying to regain composure.
-" Very well. I will take this into consideration. If you'll excuse me."- He said and left faster than necessary. Kankuro stared at me in disbelief as I let out a shaky, nervous breath.
-" Um... Yeah."- My brother said and left behind the red headed Kazekage. I let my body relax and drop on a nearby chair, closing my eyes in the process. What the hell had just happened? A familiar hand on my shoulder was the only thing that made my eyelids flutter open, and I was met with a very surprised looking Shikamaru. He was frowning, but didn't seem upset.
-" So..."- I started, but couldn't think of anything else to say. He sat down beside me and looked deep into my eyes.
-" So..."- He mocked. I chuckled lightly and looked down.
-" That was quite a revelation."- I said, trying to dissipate the painfully awkward atmosphere.
-" Was it? Everyone says it's pretty obvious."- He said.
-" Well, yeah. But weren't you surprised with my answer? I know I was surprised with your... Um... Speech."- I said, fumbling with my kimono. Shikamaru snorted.
-" And you call me awkward? Troublesome."- He said, putting his hand on my right knee. -" And I wouldn't say I was surprised. I was happy. I am happy."- He said, rubbing little circles around my knee with his thumb. A little shiver went up my leg and an unexplainable warmth started to build in the pit of my stomach.
-" I'm happy too."- I said, a little blush rising up my cheeks. Shikamaru smiled at me and leaned closer. His next words were nothing but a whisper.
-" Good."- And them he was kissing me. And I was kissing him back. This kiss was different than the first one, but it was just as magical. He gave me a kiss of aching sweetness, the silken fall of my hair gliding across his throat. Behind it there was neediness, desperation. It was as if I were the only source of water in a desert. It was needy, but it wasn't rough. It was warm, and soft, and beautiful, and infinite. This time I was able to pay more attention to detail, to memorize his mouth. His lips were slightly chapped, but that made them all the more appealing. That minty freshness I had previously tasted was still there, but this time I noticed a hint of something else as well, something sweet... Strawberry? It didn't matter, because at that moment I decided that the mixture of the two was my new favorite flavor. His lips moved in a way that denoted their expertise, giving me both a hint of jealousy and an overwhelming wave of pleasure. His hands moved to my face and cupped it, as he slowly backed away. We were both breathing heavily, a trace of sweat glistening on our necks.
-" Wow."- I said. He chuckled and nodded.
-" Wow."- He agreed and smiled.
-" What are we gonna do now?"- I asked. He gave me a gentle kiss on the forehead and traced my eyebrows with his index finger.
-" I don't know babe. Wait for your brothers, I suppose."- He said and I giggled.
-" Babe?"- I asked. He gave me a side smile.
-" Yeah, why not? Don't you like it? Should I call you princess instead?"- He teased. I rolled my eyes and kissed his cheek.
-" No, babe is fine. I love it."- I said with a giggle. And so, we waited for my brothers to come back for a few hours in that same table... But they never did.

Minna! Yes, I'm back. Sorry for being such a mess and not posting. I've been feeling a little down lately. However, I'm back! I'll upload he next chapter soon!