The Calm Before The Storm

It's just a crush

Naruto woke up first as usually was the case. He opened his eyes slowly and was greeted by Shikamaru's peaceful face. This close up you could see his dark eyelashes flutter almost imperceptibly Naruto noticed. Shikamaru looked rather elegant almost. There was also a very light frown on his face which Naruto found oddly amusing. Hopefully he isn't having a nightmare.

Shikamaru was tall and dark so girls should have liked him Naruto mused. Not to mention he was also the smartest person of their generation. He wasn't entirely sure why they weren't as interested as one might have expected. He guessed it might have something to do with the fact that Shikamaru himself didn't seem all that interested in girls. Or anything really. Except clouds. Naruto had to smile when he thought of the other shinobi's obsession with clouds. Still Shikamaru always came through in the end and Naruto knew he could always count on him. Shikamaru wanted to protect others, the villagers and their friends and family just as much as everyone else even if he didn't always show it.

But really Shikamaru's face was so nice to look at Naruto found himself just admiring it and in no rush to get up. Shikamaru was kind of beautiful really... or maybe sexy? What? Did I just think Shikamaru was sexy? That's... Well, Naruto didn't really know how to feel about that. And he couldn't say that it wasn't true when he thought about it honestly. Particularly Naruto liked Shikamaru's hair and face and how smart and funny he could be and - well everything really. I guess I just really like him. He's always been so smart and mature even when we were only kids. Naruto also couldn't help but chuckle a bit when he thought of Shikamaru's favorite line and how often he used it. Troublesome. He just felt beyond grateful that Shikamaru had chosen to live with him.

I should do something nice for him! Maybe I'll make breakfast for him... That should be a good start.

In his excitement Naruto completely forgot that he had already done that just the other morning.

---

"Shikamaruu! Wake up! It's already eleven and I even brought breakfast for you."

Shikamaru woke abruptly to Naruto's shouting and blinked his eyes in confusion. When he had awoken enough to take in the scene he found Naruto watching him expectantly. There was also a frankly delicious looking breakfast laid out before him. Naruto had made him breakfast. For the second time already. And he even brought it straight to bed for him this time which was... Shikamaru didn't really know how to feel about that.

"Well, eat already!" Naruto smiled excitedly with a glimmer in his eyes.

And suddenly it didn't matter how Shikamaru felt about it as he realized he didn't want Naruto to stop smiling at him like that. It had completely destroyed all his higher thought processes. "Not even a good morning first?" he cheekily asked mainly just to say something.

"Heh, fine. Good morning, Shika. Now, will you try the pancakes?"

"Morning to you too. But Naruto, you know you really didn't have to do this..."

"Oh... I know, I just thought you might like it so..." Naruto answers meekly and looks now almost... uncertain? And Shikamaru immediately regrets that he ever said anything.

"No it's not that... I don't mind at all. It's just usually people do something like this for their boyfriend or girlfriend but... Thank you, Naruto." Shikamaru almost started rambling in his panic to get Naruto back to how he was before Shikamaru had said anything.

Interestingly it does change Naruto's expression but instead of going back to smiling happily Naruto blushes. A really cute look on him a surprised Shikamaru immediately realizes.

Naruto looks absolutely adorable while he tries to come up with an answer and Shikamaru feels tricked. He can't look away from the stammering blond and finds his own cheeks heating up as the air in the room changes.